Saint Francis blanked by Louisiana-Monroe in opener

MONROE, La. — Braylon McReynolds ran for 113 yards and caught a touchdown pass, and D’arco Perkins-McAlister recorded two sacks in the University of Louisiana-Monroe’s season-opening shutout win over Saint Francis on Thursday night, 29-0.

The game was delayed due to weather conditions caused by lightning in the area, pushing the start time back by an hour and 43 minutes.

ULM scored first on a rushing touchdown from quarterback Hunter Herring, who was in for a designed play at the 1-yard line. The Warhawks kicked a field goal to make it 10-0 going into halftime.

ULM starting quarterback Aidan Armenta went 12 for 23 for 95 yards. He had a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Third-string QB Landon Graves threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Griffin to make it 29-0.

Saint Francis had a 19-yard rush in the third quarter that was called back due to holding, making it second-and-21 in ULM territory. They ultimately couldn’t convert. In the fourth quarter, Malik Gantt blocked an extra-point attempt for the Red Flash.

Jeremiah Harris made an interception in the end zone to keep ULM off the scoreboard and returned it for 22 yards. The Warhawks’ defense stopped the Red Flash on fourth-and-1, regaining possession on Saint Francis’ 33-yard line.