The Other Side of the Wall: ULM
The Belt is back where it belongs. Troy has a two-game lead in the division, and the road to another 10-2 season seems to get easier each day.
That’s why this is the trappiest of trap games.
| Team | ULM |
|---|---|
| Time, Network | 1 pm, ESPN+ |
| Current Record | 2-7, 0-6 |
| Troy’s Record | 11-8-1 |
| Last Matchup | W, 34-16 |
| Current Conf. Rank | last, SBC West |
| FPI Rank | 129 |
| FPI Win% (Troy) | 92.7% |
| Spread | Troy -21 |
Do NOT be fooled by these numbers.
ULM is a TRAP game, okay? I’m not saying the Warhawks are good, but I am saying you can’t overlook them.
I KNOW we have Louisiana and Southern Miss later on the schedule, but believe me. This ULM team may surprise us.
Here, just ask Dusty from The Warhawk Report. He’ll explain.
What does the warning label for this team say?
15 minute parking- towing enforced – this team is pretty for for a quarter, then quickly diminishes. I don’t know the root cause for it but it’s been the lone consistent thing about this year’s team. Maybe facing the defending SBC champs will motivate them this week.
Nah, Troy is a second half team. The second quarter may be interesting, but there won’t be any movement after the half.
What Taylor Swift song title best describes ULM’s postseason expectations? Why?
August – from Folklore album – with 7 losses now the post season doesn’t exist, so we look forward to August to try again next year.
Oof. It’s true. I wonder how soon y’all will hit the reset button.
In one word, describe the Army win. Why that word?
Lost – it seems forever ago and that early season victory is a distant memory and lost in the woes of the past several games.
In one word, describe the South Alabama loss. Why that word?
Eh – when you are coming off a an emotional loss the week before to App St, you gave everything you had and still were just 1 play short, it wasn’t surprising to get the emotional let down with everyone having an Eh feeling.
Which Avenger is most like Coach Bowden?
Ant-Man – you didn’t see him for a long time, then bam he’s back front and center.
Honestly he’s the Ant-Man of 1990s SEC coaches too. It’s easy to forget he led Auburn to that 1993 undefeated season.
What are three names on defense Troy fans should pay attention to? Why?
Carlin Viggers, Adin Huntington, and Ja’Terious Evans.
Viggers has recorded 44 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and blocked a kick – he’s a swiss army knife.
Huntington leads the Warhawks with 5.5 sacks and has an additional 3 QB hurries, he’s always in the backfield.
Evans has three interceptions, including a key pick 6 at Texas State last in the game.
When ULM snaps the ball, what is most likely to happen?
Third down – the Warhawks are ranked 13th in the SBC for time of possession, the offense just can’t seem to move the ball efficiently. If not looking for 3rd down, the Warhawks are giving up yardage via penalties, rating as the 5th most penalized team in the league.
Interesting. They’re in the top 50 overall for every notable Penalty statistic.
If we wake up Sunday and the underdog wins, what happened the day before?
Weird things happen on the Bayou, and it wouldn’t be the first time ULM has won a game they were not supposed to. It’ll take ULM playing good football and making Troy get out of their groove for ULM to even have a chance.
What chicken joint is most associated with the team, college, fanbase or city? If not chicken, BBQ?
In Louisiana, and because they have signage all over Malone Stadium – Raising Canes.
Good call. Love it.
What’s one question you have for us about Troy, if you have one (we’ll answer in the article)?
Is this the final season for Jon Sumrall, or do you think Troy can hold onto him for another season?
Honestly I think Troy gets one more year, for several reasons: 1. He’s only leaving Troy for Kentucky, and Mark Stoops is not going anywhere yet. 2. He’s going to want a shot at the CFP next season, which is finally in play. 3. I don’t see any team making a serious run at him after only two seasons.
Okay, IGNORE what he said.
IGNORE their winless conference record.
IGNORE the stats I’m about to show you.
| Stat | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Passing Offense | 107 |
| Rushing Offense | 77 |
| Scoring Offense | 116 |
| Passing Defense | 120 |
| Rushing Defense | 113 |
| Scoring Defense | 108 |
You looked at them, didn’t you? Ugh.
No, see, ULM is a trap game… when they’re at home.
Going into the 2001 season, Troy was 1-1-1 in Monroe. The Trojans put a 44-12 smackdown on the Indians.
Someone must have cursed Troy that night, because it’s 1-5 in Monroe since then.
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2001 | W, 44-12 |
| 2005 | L, 3-27 |
| 2008 | L, 30-31 |
| 2010 | L, 14-28 |
| 2014 | L, 20-22 |
| 2018 | W, 35-27 |
| 2021 | L, 16-29 |
| 2023 | TBD |
The only win was in 2018, and here’s a recap if you don’t remember.
Troy led 35-7 at the half. Total domination stuff, cruise to victory, “what curse?” etc.
ULM clawed back, dropping 20 unanswered points on the Trojans. Every single Troy drive ended in a punt until the lead was down to eight.
Troy put together its first drive of more than five plays, lined up for a field goal… and missed.
With about a minute or so left in the game, the Warhawks drove down the field. With 44 seconds left in the game, ULM had the ball on Troy’s 12.
Here’s how the game ended.
That’s right. All-Pro, All-Rookie New England Patriot and Houston Cougar graduate Marcus Jones saved the day.
It took NFL talent to get a win in Monroe.
I know Troy has that. I know Troy should shut the Warhawks down early.
By all accounts, Troy should win this one handily, maybe 38-3 or something like that.
But I’m holding my breath until the final whistle. I don’t trust that Monroe juju.
Troy wins, 24-7.
Again, special thanks to the guys at The Warhawk Report.