UL Monroe builds lead, defense protects it in win over Troy

MONROE, La. (AP) — Rhett Rodriguez threw for one touchdown, Andrew Henry ran for another and the UL Monroe defense came up big in the second half as the Warhawks defeated Troy 29-16 in a Sun Belt Conference opener. Rodriguez hit Zach Jackson for 23 yards and a touchdown for the game’s first score and Henry ran 40 yards for a touchdown that gave UL Monroe a 17-3 lead in the third quarter. From there, the ULM defense added a safety and Ja’Cquez Williams sealed the victory with a 96-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter.