College Football Kicks Off Across North Louisiana
ULM 30, Jackson State 14
The ULM Warhawks (1-0) opened the season with a Thursday night win over the Jackson State Tigers. The Tigers stayed close until a 4th quarter push by the Warhawks put the game out of reach for Jackson State.
The Warhawk offense was sparked by running back Ahmad Hardy who had 19 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. James Jones also added a rushing touchdown for ULM. General Booty had an impressive night going 10 for 14 and passing for 104 yards and a touchdown. Backup quarterback Aiden Armenta’s only pass included a touchdown to Javon Cambell. Cambell had 4 receptions for 83 yards. Davon Wells added another receiving touchdown for ULM. Max Larson kicked a 39-yard field goal. On defense, Wydett Williams, Jr was credited with 3 solo and 7 assist tackles and snagged an interception.
Jackson State quarterback Jacobian Morgan was 23 for 28 passing for 228 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Morgan also had the lone rushing touchdown. Joanes Fortillen had the only receiving touchdown.
General Booty flung a 31-yard pass to Cambell to get the Warhawks inside the Tiger's red zone late in the first quarter. ULM made the first score on an 11-yard pass from Booty to Wells. ULM took the 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Morgan launched a 41-yard touchdown rocket to Fortillen to tie at 7. With 14 seconds remaining in the first half, Hardy crashed the end zone on a 1-yard run to take the 14-7 halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Tiger made a comeback. Morgan completed a 27-yard pass to Marvin Landry to push them deep into ULM territory. Ahmed Miller had an 11-yard run to the ULM red zone. Miller took Jackson State the ULM 3. Morgan took the quarterback keeper in to tie at 14. ULM was backed up to their own 2 after an intentional grounding call. A penalty from the Tigers gave ULM some breathing room. Booty broke loose on a 31-yard run into Jackson State territory. James Jones rushed on a 22-yard run to the end zone to give the Warhawks the 21-14 lead. ULM ended the third quarter up 21-14.
The fourth quarter saw the Warhawks expand their lead to 24-14 after a 39-yard field goal from Max Larson. Late in the fourth quarter, ULM took over on the Jackson State 36 after a turnover on downs. Backup quarterback Aiden Armenta connected with Javon Cambell on a 28-yard touchdown pass for one final score at 30-14.
ULM will host UAB next Saturday at 6:30.
Game stats provided by Louisiana-Monroe Athletic Department
Tulsa 62, NSU 28
NSU (0-1) gave Tulsa an early scare in the first quarter but Tulsa rebounded to take control and get a big win over the Demons. Tulsa pounded 622 yards on offense to NSU’s 226.
Northwestern State’s Kennieth Lacy was the top rusher with 7 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Chance Newman also added another Demon touchdown. Demon quarterback Quarterius Hawkins passed one touchdown to Myle Kitt-Denton. On defense, Blake Gotcher collect 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assists).
Tulsa’s Kirk Francis was on-point throwing 23 for 30 for 299 yards and 4 touchdowns. Connor Vaughn was on the receiving end of two touchdowns. Kamdyn Benjamin and Jeremiah Ballard also had receiving touchdowns. Anthony Watkins, Cardell Williams, and Braylin each had rushing touchdowns for the Hurricanes.
Northwestern gave the Hurricanes an early surprise when Kennieth Lacy raced to the end zone on a 75-yard run on the second play of the game. NSU had the early 7-0 lead. Francis tied the game with a 36-yard pass to Benjamin. Tulsa took the lead to 14-7 when Benjamin returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown. The Demons countered as Cam Hardy blocked a field goal and Antonio Hall scooped and carried for a 74-yard touchdown. The two teams ended the first quarter knotted at 14.
The start of the second quarter saw the Hurricanes march into Demon territory. Francis connected with Ballard on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give Tulsa the early 21-14 lead. Tulsu struck again as Anthony Watkins rushed 33 yards for a touchdown to move away with the lead at 27-14. Tulsa once again started at midfield. Back-to-back passes from Francis to first Grayson Tempest on a 27-yard pass and then another 20-yard pass to Connor Vaughn for the Hurricane touchdown and a 34-14. Francis’ arm continued to impress as he sent the Hurricanes into NSU territory again in the second quarter on a 29-yard pass to Zion Steptoe. With 40 seconds remaining, Francis found Vaughn in the end zone to carry the lofty 41-14 halftime lead.
Tulsa kept the momentum into the second half but with the run game this time. Bill Jackson broke loose on an 18-yard run into the red zone again. Braylin Presley reached the end zone on the 19-yard run to push the lead to 48-14.
NSU got an opportunity for good field position on a muffed punt recovered on the Tulsa 11. Quaterius Hawkins makes a 12-yard pass to Myles Kitt-Denson. The celebration only lasted seconds as Lloyd Avant returned the kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown for Tulsa. Tulsa's lead was now 55-21. Despite being down 34 points, the scrappy Demons kept pushing. Hawkins made a short pass to Kareame Cott which turned into a 27-yard into the Tulsa territory. Zay Davis pounded 26 26-yard run inside Hurricane 10. Chance Newman finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown. Tulsa pulled one more score out as Cardell Williams took the 62-28 win.
NSU will have their first home game on Saturday at 6 pm against Prairie View A&M
Game Stats from Northwestern State Athletic Website
Louisiana Tech 25, Nicholls St 17
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-0) opened the 2024 season with a home win over the Thibodaux-based Nicholls State Colonels on Saturday night. The Bulldogs pulled off 386 yards to Nicholls 200. Despite outdoing on offense, Nicholls picked off the Bulldogs three times. Nicholls was also 1-for-3 on field goals.
Blake Baker was 12-for-24 for 207 yards a touchdown and two interceptions for Louisiana Tech. Backup Jack Turner got action going 4 for 8 for 70 yards with a touchdown and interception. Marlion Jackson was the top receiver with 3 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Solomon Lewis also had a receiving touchdown. Jimmy Holiday gave the Bulldogs a rushing touchdown. Kolbe Fields led the Dawgs with 12 tackles (6 solo, 6 assists)
Nicholls quarterback Pat McQuaide was 10-for-26 for 138 yards and a touchdown. Quincy Brown was on the receiving end of the passing touchdown and top receiver with 4 receptions for 70 yards. The defense was busy with interceptions from Eli Ennis, Rasheed Lovelace, and Malik Woodery. Lovelace returned him for a touchdown. Ennis was also the top tackler with 10 (2 solo, 8 assists).
The first score of the season from Louisiana Tech was a safety as Kolbe Fields and David Blay stuffed Jaylon Spears in the end zone for the 2-0 lead. Nicholls took the lead in the next drive as Lovelace snagged a 25-yard pick-6 for the 7-2 lead. Tech started the next drive close to midfield and moved fast into Colonel territory as Jack Turner connected with Marlion Jackson on a 23-yard pass. Turner struck again on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Lewis and regained the lead at 9-7 less than five minutes into the first quarter. Nicholls stormed back toward midfield after McQuaide found Jaylon Spears four yards behind the line of scrimmage. Spears took the reception 29 yards to the Nicholls 48. Nicholls entered Tech territory but was backed up to the 50. McQuaide brought the Colonels back to the Tech 33 on a pass to Quincy Brown. McQuaide threw another first down to Terry Matthews inside the red zone. Tech defense held them back to the 8. Nicholls went for the 35-yard field goal but no good. Tech held on to the 9-7 lead to the end of the first quarter.
Tech defense snagged good field position when McQuaide's quarterback keeper was knocked loose by Blake Thompson and recovered by Demarcus Taylor-Griffin. The Bulldogs had possession at the Colonels 24. Nicholls got the ball right back as Tech’s Marquis Crosby went on a 9-yard run to the Nicholls 2 but Kendarius Smith forced a fumble and recovered by Eli Ennis at the Nicholls 2. Tech defense held Nicholls back within their 10 forcing a punt midfield. Tru Edwards returned the punt 34 yards to the Nicholls 16. Tech’s Blake Baker found Marlion Jackson in the end zone. Tech’s extra point was blocked by Laurence Sullivan, Jr but the Dawgs were up 15-7. Nicholls went three and out on the next drive and punted but quickly regained possession as Tru Edwards fumbled and was forced by Josh Wax and recovered by Ethan Lee. Nicholls started in Tech territory. The Colonels marched to Tech 1 but the Bulldog red zone defense for another field goal. The 18-yard attempt was no good. Tech looked to gain some momentum again as Blake Baker found an opening and scooted 21 yards to the NSU 41. Nicholls’ defense struck again as Malik Woodery intercepted at the Nicholls 30 and ran it back 49 yards deep in Bulldog territory. Tech defense stifled the Colonels again and Nicholls went for the 38-yard field goal. This time it was good. Tech held on to the 15-10 lead to halftime.
Third quarter saw both teams not making much progress and being forced to punt throughout the quarter. Tech struggled to get to midfield. With a little under 4 minutes remaining, Nicholls defense struck again as Eli Ennis snagged an interception from Blake Baker. The Texh defense stopped the momentum and took over on downs. Tech maintained their 15-10 lead to the end of the third quarter but made a statement as Jay Wilkerson took a 55-yard reception to the Nicholls 26 with 34 seconds remaining.
Tech starting the fourth quarter with excellent field position reached inside the Colonels 10 quickly. Nicholls defense held off the Bulldogs and they had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from Buck Buchanan. Tech was 18-10. After a three and out by Nicholls, Tech marched downfield again. Baker hit Jackson on a 39-yard reception to reach Colonel territory again. Blake Baker took the Bulldogs into the red zone. Crosby went on a 12-yard run to the Nicholls 6. Jimmy Holliday reached the end zone and gave the Bulldogs 25-10. Nicholls tried to make the late fourth quarter comback. Collin Guggenheim bolted up the middle for 13 yards to midfield. Guggenheim got another first down for the Colonel to the Tech 27. McQuaide took the air attack on a 27-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Brown. Nicholls closed in to 25-17 with 2:17 remaining. The Colonels tried the onside kick but Tech recovered. Nicholls would get another opportunity after Tech was three and out. Three incomplete passes and a fourth down sack ended the Colonels chances and the Bulldogs captured the win.
Louisiana Tech will have a bye in Week 2 before heading to face North Carolina State.
Game Stats from Louisiana Tech Athletic Website
Louisiana 40, Grambling 10
The Grambling Tigers (0-1) took their opener on the road but stayed in Louisiana to Lafayette and fell to the Ragin Cajuns. UL doubled up the first down and yards on Grambling. UL had 24 first downs to 12 for the Tigers. The Cajuns also had 481 yards to Gramblings 241.
Grambling’s Myles Crawley passed 19-for-28 for 166 yards and an interception. Ke’Travion Hargrove had the sole Tigers touchdown and rushed for 61 yards. Nick Howard was the top receiver with 5 receptions and 68 yards. Blake Davis was top on defensive tackles with 8 (7 solo, 1 assists) and had the interception.
UL quarterback Ben Wooldridge launched 25-for-33 for 308 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Harvey Broussard was the top receiver with 4 receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown. Tavion Smith and Terrance Carter also had a receiving touchdown each. Dre’lyn Washington gave the Cajuns a rushing touchdown. On defense, Tyrone Lewis (3 solo, 4 assists) and K.C. Ossai (5 solo, 2 assists) each had 7 tackles. Caleb Kibodi took a pick-6 for UL.
UL started moving fast as Ben Wooldridge connected with Harvey Broussard on a 50-yard pass to reach Grambling territory. Dre’Lynn Washington took the Cajuns to the red zone. Wooldridge hit Robert Williams to get inside the 10. Washington broke through the middle for 6 yards to the touchdown and 7-0 lead. Grambling took their chance and reached the UL 31 and attempted a 48-yard field goal but missed. The Cajuns reached Grambling 29 to end the first quarter up 7-0.
Wooldridge finished the previous quarter’s drive on a 13-yard pass to Harvey Broussard as UL boosted the lead to 14-0 with 13:55 in the 2nd quarter. Grambling took the ball to midfield but Myles Crawford pass turned into a pick-6 for Caleb Kibodi on the 50 yard return. The Cajun struck again on a bomb from Wooldridge to Tavion Smith on a 56 yard touchdown pass. UL had grown the lead to 27-0. With 1:48 remaining, Louisiana started the drive in Grambling territory. The Cajuns got as close as the Grambling 24 and had to settle for a 41-yard field goal to give UL the 30-0 lead into halftime.
Grambling defense got a spark as Blake Davis snagged an interception early in the third. Unfortunately, Grambling was three and out on the next drive. The Cajun popped three consecutive first down to get inside the Grambling 30. Wooldridge’s 15-yard pass to Caden Jensen cracked the red zone again. Wooldridge connected with Terrance Carter on a 13 yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 37-0. Ke’Travion Hargrove took to the ground attack for Grambling and reached 20 yards on the first three plays. Crawley popped Nae’sean Dickerson on a 25-yard pass inside Cajun territory. Hargrove took the carry inside the 20. Crawley takes the Tigers to the UL1 on a 13-yard pass to Covadis Knighten. The man who started the drive finished, Hargrove crashed into the end zone on a 1-yard run to give Grambling their first score at 37-7. UL’s Zylan Perry broke loose on a 29-yard run to once again invade Grambling territory. UL reached the Grambling 25 as the third quarter ended with the Cajuns up 37-7.
UL started the fourth quarter inside Grambling territory. Perry took the Cajuns to the Tigers 11 to start a new set of down. Perry once took control on an 8-yard run to the GSU 3 on second down. An incomplete pass followed by a sack gave Grambling back the ball on their own 8. Grambling had to punt on the next drive. The Cajuns marched on short yard plays into Grambling territory once again. Backup Cajun quarterback Chandler Fields caught a 22-yard pass to Dale Martin inside Grambling 20 again. UL’s Tony Sterner kicked a 27-yard field goal to give them a 40-7 lead. Although the Tigers were out of reach to catch the Cajuns, they attempted one more score. Crawley hit Nick Howard on a 35-yard pass to get in UL territory. Reed Harradins kicked a 50-yard field goal give Grambling one last score at 40-10.
Grambling State will have their home opener on Saturday against Tuskegee Universiry at 6 pm.
Game stats from Grambling State Athletic Website
Week 2 Football Schedule
Sept 7 (Saturday)
# 22 Louisiana College at #12 St. Thomas (Florida) (NAIA) 11 am
Tuskegee University at Grambling State 6 pm
Prairie View A & M at Northwestern State 6 pm
UAB at Louisiana-Monroe 6 pm
Hendrix at Centenary 7 pm
Local Louisiana State
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