Arkansas State football team ends eight-game losing streak
ASU's Blake Grupe kicked a 42-yard field goal for the lead with 1:17 remaining in Saturday's game and Samy Johnson intercepted a pass in the final minute to seal the Red Wolves' 27-24 victory over LouisianaMonroe.
The Red Wolves (2-8, 1-5 Sun Belt) scored the final 10 points to win for the first time since their Sept. 4 opener against Central Arkansas, snapping their longest losing streak since 2000. They also extended their winning streak in the series with the Warhawks (4-6, 2-5) to 12 games.
Layne Hatcher threw two touchdown passes to Te'Vailance Hunt as the Red Wolves rallied to tie the game at 24-24. Hatcher finished the day 34-of-50 for 444 yards passing, leading ASU to 538 yards of total offense.
ASU's defense also had one of its best days while holding ULM to 372 total yards. The Red Wolves had 14 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks, their most since a 2019 game against Georgia Southern.
The Red Wolves' 10-7 halftime lead disappeared on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter when Jackson burst through a hole off tackle and sprinted 75 yards to the end zone to give ULM its first lead, 14-10.
ASU turned the ball over on downs at midfield, the Warhawks stopping Lincoln Pare for no gain on fourth and 1, and ULM capitalized in seven plays. Rhett Rodriguez threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jevin Frett and the Warhawks led 21-10 with 10:01 left in the third quarter.
ASU got back in the game with a seven-play, 76-yard touchdown drive. Hatcher found Johnnie Lang for a 12-yard completion on third-and-2 from the ASU 32, then connected with Adam Jones for 32 yards the ULM 24.
Hatcher eluded the pass rush on third-and-8 from the 22, rolling to his right. He threw across his body to Hunt, who was crossing in the end zone, for a touchdown pass to pull the Red Wolves within 21-17 with 7:26 left in the third quarter.
The Warhawks drove to ASU's 15 before settling for Calum Sutherland's 32-yard field goal and a 24-17 lead.
Each team punted twice before the Red Wolves took over at their 23 with 11:46 left in the game. Hatcher got the Red Wolves moving with passes of 22 and 17 yards to Hunt and Corey Rucker, respectively.
Alan Lamar caught a 10-yard pass on fourth-and-2 from the ULM 30. Two plays later, Hunt beat single coverage to catch Hatcher's 20-yard touchdown pass and tie the score at 24 with 7:56 left in the game.
After tying the score at 24, the Red Wolves held the Warhawks without a first down on their next drive. ASU punted the ball back, but forced another three-and-out to take over at its 20 with 3:58 left in the game.
A 21-yard completion to Rucker got the Red Wolves moving. On third-and-4 from the ASU 49, Hatcher found Dahu Green over the middle for 19 yards to the ULM 32. Three plays netted seven yards before Grupe came on to kick the 59th field goal of his career, setting an ASU record.
A 21-yard pass put ULM on the ASU 44 in the final minute. Rodriguez threw deep two plays later, only to have Johnson come up with a leaping interception at the Red Wolves' 8-yard line with 20 seconds remaining.
Rucker finished with 103 yards receiving on seven catches and also scored on a 9-yard run in the first quarter. Hunt caught eight passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Pare was ASU's leading rusher with 73 yards on 22 carries.