Troy football takes a loss to ULM at home

Gavin Griffin runs with the ball to score a touchdown during the game against ULM on Saturday. Brady Fitch photo

Troy football fell at home against ULM Saturday afternoon, 21-14.

With over six minutes left to go in the game, the Trojans led 14-3. However, the Warhawks came back from the deficit, scoring 18 unanswered in two minutes and 34 seconds to take their first win of the season.

Head coach Gerad Parker took blame for the loss, saying these moments are what leading a team like Troy calls for.

“The team is a reflection of me first, and when you have to stand in front of a team and go through moments like this, it’s the worst part about being the leader,” Parker said. “But it’s a job that I take very serious.

“It’s a job that I’ve done and will continue to do. It’s a job that I expect us to do well and understand what that looks like to our fanbase and more importantly, what it feels like and looks like to our staff and players.

“That being said, we’re not doing a good enough job, and it starts with me.”

Troy started the scoring early when quarterback Tucker Kilcrease found Gavin Griffin in the first quarter. Griffin also ran a touchdown in the fourth quarter, his second rushing touchdown of the season.

Despite the two scores, the Trojans only had 200 total yards of offense, the least so far this season. The offense also lost a fumble in the end zone to end the game. Kilcrease said although Troy didn’t win, it won’t stop the team from believing in the type of team they are.

“We didn’t play to the ability that we, as players, are capable of playing,” Kilcrease said. “We all know what we can do, and I don’t think that belief is ever going to stop no matter what happens because of how much love this football team has for each other.”

The Trojan defense limited ULM to only 107 yards in the Warhawks’ first 10 drives, forcing nine punts in the game. However, two touchdown throws from Aidan Arementa late, including one with 15 seconds left on the clock, put the Trojans away. Fourth-year linebacker Keno Jones said Troy should have walked away with the victory, especially due to the early play from the defense.

“We shut them down for most of the game,” Jones said. “With them catching that pass to end it, it hurts bad, cause I know we should’ve won that.”

“To prepare for JMU, we got to be more connected.”

The loss is Troy’s first inside Veterans Memorial Stadium this season, as the Trojans now fall to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in conference. Troy heads to Harrisonburg, Virgina, to face James Madison on Thursday.