NEW ORLEANS – After strong performances in Saturday's 30-17 win at New Mexico State, ULM had a pair of weekly honorees as the Sun Belt Conference released their players of the week today. Linebacker Michael Johnson was named the league's Defensive Player of the Week, while Justin Manton was named Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
Johnson, a junior from Maumelle, Ark., paced the attacking Warhawk defense on Saturday. Johnson finished Saturday's game with a career-best 13 total tackles (four solo, nine asst). He also finished with new career-bests in both tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (2.0). In all, the ULM defense finished with 13 tackles for loss and three sacks – NMSU had allowed just five sacks all season (prior to Saturday vs. ULM).
Johnson also had one quarterback hurry in the second quarter that led to an incomplete pass on second goal and the ULM defense was able to hold NMSU to a field goal. His two sacks came in the fourth quarter (both on second down) and eventually led to Aggie drives stalling out. The two sacks by Johnson (and one by Lorenzo Jackson) were the first sacks made by a NMSU opponent since Oct. 18 (at Idaho).
In addition to his honor from the Sun Belt, Johnson was named College Sports Madness' Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week as well as Honorable Mention LB of the Week by College Football Performance.
On special teams, Justin Manton shined for the Warhawks as he finished with 12 total points in the win over the Aggies. In the first half, Manton tallied eight points on two field goals and two extra points as he passed Teddy Garcia for the all-time scoring record at ULM. Manton went on to add four points in the second half (one field goal, one extra point). Manton entered the contest with 240 career points and left Las Cruces with 252 career points, besting Teddy Garcia's mark of 246 points from 1984-87.
In addition to his place kicking duties, the senior from Prairieville, La., punted seven times with an average of 47.4 yards. He also had four punts of 50+ yards and two that went for 60+, with two punts being downed inside the Aggie 20 yard line. Manton also kicked off six times with all six landing in the end zone without a return.
The Warhawks will close out the 2014 regular season on Saturday at Georgia Southern. The game will air on ESPN3 with kick-off scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET.
