Sit back and take a lesson in perseverance.

For three seasons Hayden Wadworth suited up for a Louisiana-Monroe team that took more lumps than an aged Mike Tyson, struggled through coaching changes and played games where the only positive thing was walking away with a nice, hefty check for being that day’s cupcake.

Still, Wadsworth remains resilient.

Here the former Adams Christian standout is giving everything he has during his senior season.

And finally things have changed for the better &045; the Indians carry a two-game winning streak into today’s home contest against Florida Atlantic.

&uot;The lights that come on Saturday nights &045; that’s my motivation,&uot; said Wadsworth, whose is enjoying consecutive wins for the first time at ULM. &uot;Just the love of the game. I’m not big on practice, but when it comes to game time, it’s all I’m thinking about.

&uot;I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel to places I might never have gone. It’s been a pretty rewarding experience. It’s real pretty (in Idaho) &045; it’s a lot different from Mississippi.&uot;

All of it’s been rewarding for a guy who has started at center for going on three seasons now and is a fixture up front among a group filled mostly with freshmen. The Indians and head coach Charlie Weatherbie are trying to get the Indians playing competitive football and building for the future.

It’s one step at a time &045; last week’s dramatic 28-20 homecoming win against Florida International and the Oct. 9 win on the road over Idaho, 16-14.

&uot;I feel good about the way our guys are playing and feel they are playing real well as a team,&uot; said Weatherbie, now in his second season. &uot;We’re not perfect by any means, but we’ve made some improvement. We just found a way to win these last couple of weeks. Any time you can win in the last couple of minutes of the game, there is some carry over for the rest of the year.&uot;

The Indians had an awfully tough slate in those first four games &045; road losses to Auburn, Arkansas and Wyoming &045; in contests where they were the heavy underdogs. But no matter the opponent, the team faced turnover problems and did more damage to itself than the opposition could dish out.

The Indians had a turnover ratio of plus-5 in the first three games.

&uot;The first four games we weren’t putting together a whole game,&uot; Wadsworth said. &uot;We were really beating ourselves. The last two games we haven’t put together four quarters, but we fought for four quarters. We’ve got to be more consistent. The last two weeks we fought really hard.&uot;

The offense got hot in the second half against FIU behind quarterback Steven Jyles, but Wadsworth and the line up front did their part. Like any other O-line, the only notoriety it gets is when it’s not doing the job, but everyone came through last week.

Wadsworth is at center with only one senior among freshmen at the three remaining positions.

&uot;He and I came through in 2000, and we’ve been playing together for the last four years,&uot; Wadsworth said. &uot;The rest of the line is freshmen, and they’re doing a real good job. We’ve only given up three sacks, and we’ve done well in the running game. I’m real impressed with how they’ve been playing.&uot;

Jyles garnered conference honors this week after he connected for 303 yards and two touchdowns while running for another in the win. It’s honors like that Wadsworth and the O-line can take some pride in, especially when it comes in a comeback win during homecoming.

&uot;He’s the leader up front,&uot; Weatherbie said. &uot;He’s doing a great job of leading those guys. He’s got a young group he’s got to lead in the right direction. We’re trying to put the best 11 on the field we can &045; no matter what classification they are.&uot;

Today’s game against FAU is a conference game for the Indians, as are the next four games. But Wadsworth would like to have a fifth game &045; an appearance in the New Orleans Bowl as the Sun Belt champion.

&uot;I’ve been pretty impressed with the young guys,&uot; said Wadsworth, scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in construction management. &uot;I’d like to have a winning season. They haven’t had one since I got here. It’s been a fun ride. Hopefully we can finish strong.&uot;