UL Monroe 21-19 James Madison (Oct. 5, 2024) Game Recap

MONROE, La. – – Aidan Armenta threw for 147 yards and a touchdown and Ahmad Hardy ran for 82 yards and a score and UL Monroe beat James Madison 21-19 on Saturday night.

UL Monroe's defense caused James Madison to post its second-lowest point total of the season. The Dukes earned a 63-7 win over Ball State on Sept. 28 and a 70-50 win over North Carolina on Sept. 21.

Despite defeating UL Monroe 399-257, the Dukes only reached the end zone twice.

James Madison led 10-0 after the first quarter before the Warhawks scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and led the rest.

Hardy's 38-yard scoring run with 5:45 left before halftime reduced UL Monroe's deficit to a field goal. On James Madison's ensuing drive, quarterback Alonza Barnett III fumbled the ball and Daniel Knudsen ran it back 82 yards with 1:31 before halftime.

Noe Ruelas kicked a 39-yard field goal for the Dukes as time expired to end the half and get within 14-13. The Warhawks extended the lead to eight when Armenta threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jake Godfrey with 10:30 left.

Tyler Purdy scored first with 4:04 left to bring James Madison within 21-19, but the 2-point conversion failed.

UL Monroe's defense closed out the game and forced James Madison to turn the game around on its final two possessions. The Dukes' final 13 plays generated just 30 yards.

Not only did the Warhawks win their Sun Belt Conference opener, they also increased their overall record to 4-1 for the first time since 1993.

It was James Madison's (4-1, 0-1) first loss of the year in the programs' first meeting.

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