How could this game be more important than a win over Alabama? Well, just as important one could say. The Alabama win set up ULM for a date with the ULL Cajuns for a chance to finish the season at .500 and become bowl eligible for the first time since ULM joined the FBS.
ULM would not disappoint the 400+ Warhawk fans that made the trip down south to support their team by beating the Cajuns 17-11. It was cold, it was wet, and it was sloppy, but that didn't seem to deter the ULM faithful from cheering for their Warhawks as they made history. The ULM band made the trip in full force and made their presence known as well. When the final gun sounded the football team gathered around them and said goodbye to 15 seniors that went out on top.
Sophomore Greg James would be the early hero as he would put the first points on the board for ULM. Stepping in front of a Connor Morel pass and raced 60 yards for the touchdown. For James it marks the second time he has scored a touchdown on defense. ULM would get a chance to put three more points on the board but ULL's Korey Raymond broke through the line untouched and blocked the Cole Wilson kick.
Shortly before the half the Cajuns would knock on the door of the ULM goal line but with no timeouts ran out of time. On 4th and goal from the one yard line Drew Edmiston would boot a 18 yard fg to make the score 7-3 Warhawks at the half.
The second half would see ULM receive the kick off and then march right down the field for a touchdown. Kinsmon Lancaster finished the 11 play 71 yard drive with a three yard qb keeper for the touchdown. The score gave ULM a 14-3 lead until just under a minute in the third.
ULL's Tyrell Fenroy took the option read and raced untouched 42 yards for the touchdown to cut the lead to five. The two point conversion was completed when Conner found his tight end Erik Jones to pull the Cajuns within three.
Once again though it would be the ULM defense that would make game changing plays. Much like a week before when ULM(6-6 4-3) held Alabama on downs three different times, the Warhawks would face the same situation this week.
What looked like a sure touchdown on a bubble screen from Conner to Chery turned into a free for all in the end zone. Just as Chery was about the cross the goal line he was stood up and had the ball stripped away from him. The ball squirted into the end zone where the dog pile ensued. The Warhawk defense insisted they had the ball and it turns out they did as DT Alaric Coleman emerged with the ball.
The Cajuns however would get one last shot with just over a minute to play. Starting with great field possession at their own forty yard line, ULL(3-9 3-4) would take back over and look to drive for the winning score. Just like last week the ULM defense would clamp down and force a turnover on downs. Conner's fourth down pass fell harmlessly to the ground and the visiting Warhawks would celebrated a big road win.
With the win ULM becomes bowl eligible for the first time since joining the FBS in 1994 and have a nice road win over Alabama to add to their resume.