After a bad first quarter, Chandler Rogers and ULM football take care of Nicholls

Quarterback Chandler Rogers was more than efficient and the Louisiana-Monroe football defense did the rest in a 35-7 victory over Nicholls on Saturday night at Warhawk Stadium.

Nicholls (0-2) led 7-0 but the Warhawks (1-1) answered with 35 consecutive points.

"That's an important game for us because Nicholls has all the ability to come out here and knock you off," ULM coach Terry Bowden said.

ULM's offense gained just 44 yards on 15 plays and punted twice in the first quarter.

"As I told our players, 'Don't be surprised if they come out there and getting first downs isn't that easy or they drive the football,' " Bowden said. '"But if you'll keep pushing and firing back at them and play as hard as you can, I think your talent will overcome it.' That's exactly what happened."

Next week the Warhawks play at No. 1 Alabama (2-0).

Here's what we learned after the game:

TIME FOR WIN NO. 1?Louisiana-Monroe football looking to bounce back against Nicholls after loss at Texas

Chandler Rogers, receivers find a rhythm

Rogers was 20-of-25 passing for 253 yards, throwing two touchdowns. He also had 55 yards rushing, including a 9-yard run. His numbers would have been better if not for some drops by receivers in the first quarter.

"The first quarter, we were finding a rhythm and getting settled," Rogers said. "We just kept rolling and found our rhythm. That's who we are."

Rogers and the receivers did find a rhythm, completing a pass to 10 different players. Jevin Frett had a career-high six receptions for 71 yards and a TD. The other TD was to Zach Rasmussen for a 4-yard TD.

Alfred Luke had three catches for 72 yards including a 68-yard pass play from Rogers.

"I feel very confident," Rogers said, "because I know the coaches believe in me and the coaches trust me."

The other two TDs for the Warhawks came on running plays from Malik Jackson and Andrew Henry.

Defense, especially stopping the run, comes through

Kohen Granier's 7-yard pass to K.J. Franklin gave Nicholls (0-2) a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The 86-yard, 10-play drive wasn't a good look for the ULM defense.

"They have one drive all night, an 80-yarder," Bowden said. "And our guys hadn't gotten things going yet. But our guys responded."

Granier completed 26-of-42 passes for 231 yards. He was intercepted once by linebacker Tristan Driggers.

However, the defensive line was stingy. Nicholls had 75 yards on 23 carries.

"We just had to stay focused and keep motivating our teammates," said Driggers, who had a team-high eight tackles. "We had four quarters to play football."

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: After a bad first quarter, Chandler Rogers and ULM football drop Nicholls