MONROE, La. (AP) Davon Vinson threw three touchdown passes and Northwestern State rallied from a 23-point deficit, beating Louisiana-Monroe 27-23 Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
Vinson completed 15 of 23 passes for 230 yards, and rushed for 81 more yards.
The outcome was in doubt until late in the fourth quarter when NSU's defense, led by a pass interception by David Pittman in the end zone and a fumble recovery by Russ Washington with just over 1:30 to play, helped seal the win.
ULM's Steven Jyles completed 25 of 41 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown. His only interception came late in the game by Pittman.
Louisiana-Monroe finished with 411 total offensive yards, while NSU had 353.
The Indians led 23-0 at the half.
Calvin Dawson scored on a 3-yard run and ULM moved out to a 9-0 lead when it recovered Anthony Holmes' fumble in the end zone for a safety with 12:23 to play.
Louisiana-Monroe's Steven Jyles threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to D. Quillen, stretching the lead to 16-0, and ULM intercepted a pass from Vinson at the 34 yard line and returned it for a score and a 23-0 lead.
Vinson threw an 85-yard scoring pass to Toby Zeigler late in the third quarter and found Brent Smith with another scoring pass 1:13 later.
Shelton Sampson scored on a 2-yard run with 11:16 left in the fourth quarter, and Vinson completed the comeback with a a 37-yard scoring pass to Dane Charpentier.
