Barker helps Troy keep rolling, 35-27 over UL Monroe

MONROE, La. -- Kaleb Barker threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more and Troy followed up its big win over Nebraska by opening Sun Belt Conference play with a 35-27 win over Louisiana Monroe on Saturday night. Barker had touchdown runs of 19 and 2 yards to give the Trojans (3-1), who won at Nebraska 24-19 last week, a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. Sawyer Smith then hit Damion Willis for a 26-yard score before Barker hit Willis for 4 and Sidney Davis for 22 as part of a 28-point second quarter and a 35-7 lead. Barker and Sawyer combined to go 20 for 21 for 272 yards in the first half. Caleb Evans threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter for the Warhawks (2-2). He then marched ULM from its 29 to the Troy 11 and had a first down before Marcus Jones saved the win with an interception with 39 seconds left.