GGSM{LA-Monroe}

Again, more shame on me. It wasn't simply that I lagged behind this time. No! I ignored wins by both beshamemasked teams!

October 8--Arkansas State came to Monroe with a winning record, but this didn't stop the Warhawks. Perhaps they were nervous on their opening drive, which resulted in a fumble. Eleven plays later, Arkansas State's Frankie Jackson punched it in for a 3-yard touchdown. However, LA-Monroe's Luther Ambrose returned the following kickoff 51 yards, and then on the next play, Cody Wells threw at 41-yard touchdown to Brent Leonard to tie the game. In the second quarter, LA-Monroe turned two Arkansas State turnovers into two field goals, but then they gave one back after an interception of their own at the end of the first half. Still, they lead 13-10 going into the locker room. The third quarter started by trading punts, but then Arkansas State's Aaron Munoz blocked one of those punts and returned 25 yards for a touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, Arkansas State then followed an interception with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Frampton, who broke his own school record with 13 catches. LA-Monroe tried valiantly to rally. After an interception, they drove down the field and Brent Leonard caught another touchdown pass, but the failed two-point conversion left them trailing 24-19. Arkansas State promptly threw another interception with 2:02 left. LA-Monroe got a couple of quick passes, but on 4th and 17 at the Arkansas State 34, a pass fell incomplete with 18 seconds left to seal the loss.

October 15--LA-Monroe next took a trip to Troy, who have been Sun Belt co-champs each year since 2006 but who are struggling this year. After a scoreless first quarter, each team got a field goal in the second quarter. Troy started the second half with a touchdown, but then LA-Monroe kicked it into gear. The followed with a touchdown of their own, but a failed two-point conversion left them trailing 10-9. After holding Troy to three plays that lost 7 yards and a punt, LA-Monroe's next drive also resulted in a touchdown with a failed two-point conversion. Troy fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and LA-Monroe capitalized two plays later with a touchdown and after kicking the extra point, they took a 22-10 lead into the fourth quarter. A touchdown and a safety quickly followed, and then after an interception, LA-Monroe sealed their victory with a six-and-a-half minute touchdown, and the Warhawks held on for an impressive 38-10 victory. Congratulations!