Maybe one of the most underrated streaks in college football is Arkansas State’s 14 consecutive wins over the ULM Warhawks, begun in 2010 when Steve Roberts bested Todd Berry 34-20 in Jonesboro. It was a battle of franchise QBs – the great Kolton Browning of ULM versus the legendary Ryan Aplin of Arkansas State. Browning, then a freshman, tossed a pair of picks. Aplin, a sophomore, was more in form, leading the team in rushing (75 yards, 1 TD) and completing 20 of 32 passes. The game’s leading receiver was another Sun Belt legend, Dwayne Frampton.
Between then and now, the Warhawks and Red Wolves have engaged in some epic gridiron battles. Who can forget that 67-50 slobbber-knocker of 2017 when Justice Hansen tossed four touchdowns for 520 passing yards? Or the squeaker in 2011 when Aplin once again out-dueled Browning despite throwing three picks? Butch Jones’ first SBC win came at the expense of the Warhawks in 2021, a narrow 27-24 victory sealed by a Blake Grupe field goal.
Fourteen years of victory for Arkansas State! Fourteen seasons of teeth-gnashing for ULM!
Red Wolves Quarterbacks Who Defeated ULM During The 14-Game Win Streak
- Ryan Aplin (3)
- Adam Kennedy
- Freddie Knighten (2)
- Justice Hansen (3)
- Layne Hatcher* (3)
- James Blackman
- Jaylen Raynor
*Hatcher and Logan Bonner took turns at QB in 2020, though Hatcher accrued the lion’s share of stats over the Warhawks
Did College Football Figure Out Bryant Vincent and the Warhawks?
Vegas and the prevailing public opinion didn’t see any more than two wins for ULM and first-year head coach Bryant Vincent in 2024, but the team started the season a startling 5-1, culminating in a “surprise muthafucka!” win over James Madison. However, it was evident, even when the Warhawks were winning, that the ULM offense needed to find some more weapons, especially at starting QB.
The starting quarterback for the season opener was Oklahoma transfer General Booty, who didn’t have much to offer the Warhawks’ offense other than a fabulous moniker. Coach Vincent then turned to Aidan Armenta, a 6’2″ sophomore that sparked some success with his legs. However, since defeating UAB 32-0 in Week 2, the Warhawks have failed to score more than 23 points in any contest. resulting in college football’s 128th ranked total offense.
Simply put, ULM opponents realized that they need only score 24 points to ensure a victory. What had saved the Warhawks was an impressively effective defense, led by the aggressive play of junior outside linebacker Tristan Shorter, one of a host of community college gems Vincent has unearthed. However, injury has sapped the Warhawks defense, especially in the backfield, with dings to defensive back Carl Fauntroy (23 solo tackles and a pick) and defensive back Wydett Williams (49 solo tackles, three picks).
Hawk to Lock: Billy Pullen, Junior, Defensive End
Never heard of the MACCC Defensive Player of the Year? Billy Pullen (6’2″, 245-lbs) is just another community college super-beast hauled in by Coach Vincent. His contribution thus far; five sacks, one forced fumble and forty tackles. He’ll be a real test of the Arkansas State offense line, which has become a force in providing run lanes, but has been a mixed bag in offering pass protection.
Mid Wolves
Meanwhile, Butch Jones and his Red Wolves are stuck in a limbo of sorts, edging out low-quality opponents while receiving punishing retribution from upper tier foes. Arkansas State either wins narrowly by a score or is blown-off the gridiron, there is no in between. Where do the Warhawks fall on quality’s totem pole?
“They’re efficient,” said coach Butch Jones during his Monday presser. “Coach Bryant has done a very good job. They have an identity and they execute on it.”
Building up an opponent is nothing new for Butch Jones. In the case of ULM, the level of difficulty is tough to gauge. They are a strong defensive team, even if they’re battling through injury. The Warhawks can also run. Overall, ULM ranks close to the Red Wolves in average yards per game rushed (161 versus 158 respectively). However, the conference’s leading run gainer is freshman Ahmad Hardy, who has collected 975 rushing yards, which is nearly 200 more than the next guy, Marshall’s AJ Turner. Hardy will likely get his yards versus the A-State defense, which ranks 120th nationally against the run.
Defense is one of two reasons the Red Wolves struggle against top tier opponents. (The second reason is offense). Arkansas State has had limited success in putting pressure on the passer. However, the unit has had its moments, with senior defensive end Bryan Whitehead recently earning SBC Defensive Player of the Week honors after collecting a pair of sacks and 3.5 TFL against Georgia State. Defensive end Jayden Jones won the same honor in Week 8. The team has the capability to create disruption. It just doesn’t always chose to do so.
Red Wolf to Rise: Courtney Jackson, Senior, Wide Receiver
Corey Rucker has become the go-to man for quarterback Jalen Raynor, but the sophomore quarterback also has a host of weapons that can provide similar production, such as Courtney Jackson, last week’s leading receiver for the Red Wolves. At 5’11”, Jackson isn’t the biggest target, but the man has speed and a senior’s experience. With the ULM secondary making visits to the medical tent, this could be a big game for Jackson.
The Final Analysis
Of the fifteen Warhawks teams the Red Wolves will have faced since 2010, this one might be the strongest since 2012, the year ULM famously defeated #8 Arkansas and finished the season with 8 wins. Truth told, ULM lacks the depth and offensive weaponry to become a divisional contender. But some intriguing pieces are in place, with Hardy destined for SBC Freshman of the Year honors and Armenta improving his craft behind center. Bryant Vincent could be building something unexpectedly special in Monroe if given the proper support.
Too bad for ULM that this year’s game is hosted in Jonesboro, where Arkansas State has yet to taste defeat in 2024. The Red Wolves have had the Warhawks’ number for a reason. The talent is deeper. The confidence is high. A-State won’t be intimidated.
However, this game features a motivational nugget the Warhawk’s haven’t had in years – bowl game implications. If the Warhawk’s fall in Jonesboro, the last opportunity to secure the 6th win comes against Louisiana. ULM will do everything in its power to win this game.
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Howlraiser 