MONROE, La. – Senior quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster did it through the air and on the ground Friday night in the ULM football team’s 37-15 win over Alabama A&M at Malone Stadium in the 2008 home opener.
The game was moved to Friday night earlier in the day as Hurricane Ike prepared to make landfall. It is the first Friday night game for ULM since at least 1979.
Lancaster connected on three touchdown passes and rushed for another to account for nearly 300 yards of total offense. The Shreveport, La., native connected with junior receiver Darrell McNeal eight times for a total of 131 yards and a pair of scores.
“Kinsmon is a fifth year senior,†ULM head coach Charlie Weatherbie said. “He is a guy who, as he goes, so goes our football team. He is one of those guys who we expect great things out of. He has become a real fine leader in addition to a great performer. He is headsy when it comes to taking care of the football.â€
ULM (1-2) opened the scoring quickly when Lancaster connected with McNeal for the combo’s first score following the opening kickoff. The seven play drive took 3:07 off the clock.
Alabama A&M (0-3) would get on the scoreboard early in the second quarter after a 37-yard drive stalled and Jeremy Licea converted on a 24 yard field goal.
The Warhawks would extend their lead on the next drive after Lancaster hit freshman Anthony McCall in the corner of the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown. His only catch of the game, the score for McCall marked his third touchdown over the last two games.
The Bulldogs would not go away as Ulysses Banks rushed for a three-yard touchdown with 6:38 remaining in the half to make it a 14-10 game.
Lancaster would strike again, barreling over the defenders and rushing into the end zone for his third touchdown of the game. The 22 yard scamper extended the lead to 21-10.
Just before the half, AAMU added one final score, a 21 yard field goal, to register their final points of the game.
In the second half it was more of Lancaster to McNeal as the duo combined on a 25 yard touchdown on wide receiver screen to make it a 28-13 lead. McNeal finished the game with eight catches for 131 yards and a pair of scores.
Sophomore Frank Goodin added a 21-yard run up the gut to give the Warhawks a 35-13 advantage. The West Monroe, La., native became the first 100 yard rusher for ULM on the season after passing the mark in the fourth quarter. Goodin finished with 17 carries for 114 yards. Lancaster added 81 yards on nine carries.
The Bulldogs lone points of the second half came at the beginning of the fourth quarter when an errant snap sailed through the back of the end zone for a safety. The Warhawks would get the two points back when sophomore Theo Smith recorded a safety with 5:12 remaining in the game for the final tally of the contest.
After allowing 262 yards of offense in the first half, the ULM defense buckled down and limited Alabama A&M to 71 in the second stanza.
“It’s great to get that first win under our belt,†Weatherbie said. “We were in a dog fight in the first half. I was real impressed with the way our defense played in the second half. We made some adjustments and did some good things in the second half.â€
ULM will take to the road next weekend when it travels to New Orleans, La. to face Tulane on September 20 at 2 p.m.
Scoring Summary
ULM – McNeal 17 yard pass from Lancaster (Jabour kick), 11:53, 1st
AAMU – Licea 24 yard field goal, 12:59, 2nd
ULM – McCall 20 yard pass from Lancaster (Jabour kick), 9:52, 2nd
AAMU – Banks 3 yard run (Licea kick), 6:38, 2nd
ULM – Lancaster 22 yard run (Jabour kick), 0:32, 2nd
AAMU – Licea 21 yard field goal, 00:00, 2nd
ULM – McNeal 25 yard pass from Lancaster (Gener kick), 8:31, 3rd
ULM – Goodin 21 yard run (Gener kick), 1:16, 3rd
AAMU – Team safety, 13:30, 4th
ULM – Smith, Theo, 5:12, 4th
