A Mississippi native led Louisiana Monroe to a big victory over Southern Miss on Saturday.
Ahmad Hardy, a running back from Monticello, totaled 174 yards and two touchdowns to help the Warhawks defeat the Golden Eagles 38-21 for their fifth win in six games to start the season. Louisiana Monroe is now just one win away from securing the program’s first postseason appearance since 2012.
Here’s a quick recap of what else happened.
Scoring summary
While Louisiana Monroe found the end zone twice in the first half – one of the touchdowns coming on a 34-yard run from Hardy – Southern Miss only managed two field goals to be down 14-6 at halftime.
To start the second half, the Warhawks found three more points on a field goal of their own. Six minutes later, they lined up for another field goal attempt, but this time, Southern Miss blocked the kick with Braxton Myers returning it 69 yards to the opposite end zone for the team’s first touchdown of the day. A successful two-point conversion made it a 17-14 game.
Any momentum for the Golden Eagles was quickly erased as Louisiana Monroe exploded for three fourth-quarter touchdowns – including Hardy’s second – to go up 38-14. With less than a minute left to play, Southern Miss running back Kenyon Clay scored a touchdown to make for a final score of 38-21.
Numbers never lie
While Southern Miss quarterback Ethan Crawford (245 total yards) made some big plays, inconsistencies in his passing game further showcased the offensive struggles that continue for Will Hall’s squad. The Golden Eagle offense has scored just three touchdowns over the past three games.
Leading the way defensively for Southern Miss was Ques McNeal, who grabbed an interception, while Micheal Caraway, Jr., led the team with three solo tackles.
Hardy wasn’t the only Mississippian to shine for Louisiana Monroe (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt). Jackson native Kevontay Wells, Oxford native Tristan Shorter, and Starkville native Jaylan Ware combined for 14 tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss.
Next up
Southern Miss (1-5, 0-2) will be back in action for homecoming at M.M. Roberts Stadium on Oct. 19 against Arkansas State.
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