Aidan Armenta helps UL Monroe pull away in 4th quarter for 38-21 victory over Southern Miss

MONROE, La. -- — Aidan Armenta had a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help UL Monroe pull away for a 38-21 victory over Southern Mississippi on Saturday.

Armenta had a 6-yard touchdown toss to Julian Nixon 51 seconds into the fourth quarter to give UL Monroe (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference) a 10-point lead. Armenta added a 4-yard touchdown run five minutes later to make it 31-14. Ahmad Hardy polished things off with a 31-yard touchdown run with 2:43 left to play.

Armenta completed 10 of 18 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Warhawks. Hardy carried 15 times for 121 yards and caught two passes for 53 yards.

UL Monroe DB Wydett Williams Jr. recovered a fumble by Kenyon Clay at the Southern Miss 37-yard line after a 16-yard reception. Armenta connected with James Jones for a 36-yard touchdown three plays later for a 14-3 advantage. Connor Gibbs kicked a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds left to get the Golden Eagles within eight at halftime.

Max Larson kicked a 47-yard field to give UL Monroe a 17-6 lead, but Braxton Myers raced 69 yards for a touchdown after the Golden Eagles blocked Larson’s next field-goal attempt. Southern Miss trailed 17-14 after Ethan Crawford connected with Tiaquelin Mims for the two-point conversion.

Crawford finished with 165 yards on 9-for-26 passing with one interception for the Golden Eagles (1-5, 0-2). He carried 17 times for 70 yards. Clay had a 1-yard touchdown run with 22 seconds left.

------

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football