UL Monroe finishes strong to defeat Jackson State 30-14 in opener

MONROE, La. (AP) Freshman Ahmad Hardy ran for 103 yards and a touchdown, UL Monroe scored the game's final 16 points and the Warhawks defeated FCS-member Jackson State 30-14 in a season opener on Thursday night.

The game marked the ULM debut of Bryant Vincent as coach.

The Warhawks went ahead 14-7 in the final minute of the second quarter when Hardy scored on a 1-yard run. The nine-play, 42-yard drive began after an interception by Wydett Williams Jr. and included a fourth-down conversion by Hardy inside the 5-yard line.

Jackson State tied it at 14 on a 3-yard run by Jacobian Morgan early in the third quarter but the Warhawks finished the game with a 22-yard touchdown run by James Jones, a field goal, and a 28-yard TD pass from Aidan Armenta to Javon Cambell.

It was backup quarterback Armenta's only pass of the game. Oklahoma transfer General Booty completed 10 of 14 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.

Morgan completed 23 of 28 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown for Jackson State.

The start of the game was delayed two hours due to lightning in the area. --- 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