NEW ORLEANS – On Wednesday afternoon, the Sun Belt Conference released its annual football all-conference teams and the Warhawks tallied 12 All-Conference Selections.
Highlighting the post-season honors for ULM were first team selections Rashon Ceaser (WR), Gerrand Johnson (DL), Mitch Lane (DB) and Justin Manton (PK). Ajalen Holley (WR), Hunter Kissinger (LB) and Justin Manton (P) were named Second Team All-Sun Belt, while Trey Caldwell (DB), Michael Johnson (LB), Kenzee Jackson (WR), Ray Stovall (LB) earned honorable mention honors. Lastly, Pete Thomas (QB) was named to the Sun Belt's All-Newcomer team.
First Team All-Sun Belt Selections:
WR Rashon Ceaser (Junior, Clinton, La.)
Appeared in all 12 games and made 10 starts… Led team in receiving yards with 872, while ranking second in receptions (77) and third in touchdowns (three)… All three scores as well as 59 receptions and 708 yards came during conference season… Averaged 7.4 receptions per game in league play, a mark that ranked first in the Sun Belt… His 88.5 yards per game was the third-highest total during the conference season… Regular-season average of 6.6 grabs per game places him 17th nationally… Ranks 46th nationally in receiving yards and 48th in FBS in receiving yards per game (72.7)… Hauled in 12 receptions against Troy, a mark that led the conference for nearly two months (now ranks second)… Tied a career-high with 138 receiving yards in finale at Georgia Southern… Also had 100+ yard performances against Troy (121) and UL-Lafayette (120)… His three 100+ yard receiving performances were tied for third in the Sun Belt… Had 80 or more receiving yards in seven of eight conference games… Had at least one 20-yard reception in seven of eight league games and had long grabs of 45 yards or more in final three games (45 [TD], UL-Lafayette; 45, at New Mexico State; 63 [TD], at Georgia Southern).
DB Mitch Lane (Junior, Pine Bluff, Ark.)
Started all 12 games at the hawk position in ULM's 3-3-5 defense… Led the Warhawks in unassisted tackles with 51 and finished second on the team with 91 total tackles… Finished tied for third on team in pass breakups… Was also the team leader in interceptions (three) including an interception returned for a TD in opener against Wake Forest… Was named SBC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 1) after strong play vs. Demon Deacons… He was one of 10 Sun Belt players to return an interception for a score this season… His mark of three interceptions was tied for ninth in conference rankings and he was tied for 12th in passes defended… Lane recovered a blocked punt and returned for a score at New Mexico State… He was just one of four Sun Belt players to return a punt for a score in 2014… Lane is one of two Sun Belt players to have scored multiple defensive TDs this season – he is also one of 14 players nationally to have two or more defensive scores… Had two multiple tackle games during the season (career-high 14 at LSU; 11 at Georgia Southern)… During the conference season, Lane tallied 56 total tackles – an average of 7.0 tackles per game, placing him in a tie for 18th in the Sun Belt statistical rankings… Also ranked in the top 20 in passes defended during the conference season.
DL Gerrand Johnson (Junior, Rayville, La.)
Started all 12 games in the middle of the defensive line and led the team in total tackles with 93… His mark of 93 tackles is the most by a Warhawk since 2011 (Jason Edwards, 100)… Johnson is the first defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles since 1980 (Ken Poole, 104)… Finished season second on team in sacks (6.0) and was tied for second in tackles for loss (12.5)… Ranked in the top-11 in the Sun Belt in all three categories (T-7th, TFLs; Eighth, Sacks; 11th, Total Tackles)… During conference play, finished with 71 total tackles (T-4th in Sun Belt), 5.0 sacks (T-6th in Sun Belt), 11.0 tackles for loss (fourth in Sun Belt)… Tallied four games with double-digit tackles including a new career-high with 12 tackles for loss in home finale against UL-Lafayette… Other double-digit performances came at Arkansas State (11), at New Mexico State (11) and at Georgia Southern (11)… Had five games with 2.0 or more tackles for loss (2.0, Troy; 2.0, at Arkansas State; 2.5, UL-Lafayette; 2.0, at New Mexico State; 2.0, at Georgia Southern)… Had season-high 1.5 sacks against Troy and UL-Lafayette.
PK Justin Manton (Senior, Prairieville, La.)
Led the Sun Belt in field goals (20), attempts (24), and was tied for the lead in FG percentage at 83.3%... Was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award… Two time Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 29; Nov. 24 [Co-POW])… Finished 8-for-8 on FGs of 20-29 yards, 7-for-9 on FGs of 30-39 yards, 3-for-5 on FGs of 40-49 and 2-for-2 on FGs of 50+… Ranks 10th in FBS in FGs per game (1.67)… Ranks 13th nationally in FG Percentage… He was the only Sun Belt kicker to hit a 50+ yard field goal this season (51 vs. Texas State; 51 at Texas A&M)… Also had a 43 yard field goal against Texas State to become the first Sun Belt kicker to hit two 40+ yard FGs in one game… Had five games in which he hit three field goals in a game (career-high)… Connected on 11 straight field goals from Oct. 25 to Nov. 15 (3-3, Texas State; 3-3, at Texas A&M; 3-3 at Appalachian State; 2-2, UL-Lafayette)… Was also 23-of-23 on PATs, one of three Sun Belt kickers to finish the season perfect… Was also the leader among Sun Belt kickers during conference season in both makes (16) and attempts (19)… Was perfect 18-for-18 on PATs, just one of three to be perfect in league games.
Second Team All-Sun Belt Selections:
WR Ajalen Holley (Sophomore, Hot Springs, Ark.)
Started all 12 games in 2014… Led the team with seven TDs and average per reception (15.1)… Also was the team leader in pass receptions of 20 or more yards with 13… Finished third in receptions (57) and receiving yards (863)… Also hauled in the three longest passes of the season – 64 yd TD vs. Troy; 59 yd TD at Arkansas State; 58 yd TD vs. Idaho… Finished third in Sun Belt with seven TDs and ranks 44th nationally with seven scores… Ranks 48th nationally in receiving yards and 53rd in FBS in receiving yards per game (71.9)… Totaled 43 grabs for 736 yards (17.1 avg) and six TDs during eight league games… Averaged 92.0 receiving yards per game during league season – a mark that ranked second in Sun Belt… Made 5.4 catches per game during conference play – fifth best mark in the conference… Total of six TDs was the second highest mark in the Sun Belt… Recorded a career-best 175 yards on just six grabs including 58-yard TD in win over Idaho… Mark of 175 yards was the third highest total in the Sun Belt this season… Was the first of three 100+ yard receiving games on the season (109 yards vs. Troy; 105 yards vs. UL-Lafayette)… Tied for third in 100+ yard receiving games with three… Had multi-catch performances in 11 of 12 games including all eight league games.
LB Hunter Kissinger (Junior, Springdale, Ark.)
Started all 12 games at linebacker… Finished third on the team in both total tackles (85), sacks (5.0) and interceptions (two)… Finished fourth in TFLs (10.5) and was tied for second (among linebackers) with four quarterback hurries… Was tied for ninth in the Sun Belt with five sacks… Was tied for 16th in the conference in total tackles… Was also tied for 16th during the conference season with 57 total stops… Finished conference season tied for 15th with 3.0 sacks… His 7.5 TFLs during eight league games was tied for 11th in Sun Belt statistical rankings… Had four tackles in win over Wake Forest… Made eight total stops in win over Idaho… Had nine tackles and one sack at LSU… Finished with seven tackles and 1.5 TFLs against Troy… Made seven stops for second straight week at Arkansas State… Intercepted Kentucky's Jojo Kemp on a RB pass and returned it 22 yards to the UK nine yard line to set up a ULM TD on the next play… Tied career-highs in both tackles (13) and tackles for loss (2.0) in upset bid at Texas A&M… Had six total tackles in three straight games (at Appalachian State; UL-Lafayette; New Mexico State)… Fell one tackle shy of tying career-high at Georgia Southern (made 12 tackles).
P Justin Manton (Senior, Prairieville, La.)
Punted 76 times on the year for 3,222 yards (42.4 avg) with 16 punts of 50 or more yards (long of 67)… Two time Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 29; Nov. 24 [Co-POW])… Also had 20 punts land inside the 20 and 18 fair catches … Manton's 76 punts and 3,222 yards are the most in the conference this season with his average of 42.4 ranking fourth… His 16 punts of 50 or more yards was tied for third… During eight league games, Manton ranked second with a 44.8 yard per punt average… He ranked first in punting yards (1,973) and tied for lead with 44 punts… He had 11 punts land inside the 20, 12 punts of 50+ yards and 12 fair catches… His 12 punts of 50 or more yards during the conference season were second most among Sun Belt punters.
Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Selections:
DB Trey Caldwell (Junior, Richardson, Texas)
Started 10 games at cornerback for the Warhawks [missed two games due to injury]… Finished season with 42 tackles (31 solo, 11 assisted), one tackle for loss and one interception… Led the Warhawks in pass breakups with eight… Mark of eight PBUs placed Caldwell in a tie for fifth in the Sun Belt this season… Six of the eight PBUs came in league play – also placing him in a tie for fifth place in conference statistical rankings… Made multiple stops in nine of 10 games… Had two stops in win over Wake Forest and three tackles in win over Idaho… Made seven stops in road tilt at LSU… Had four stops [before leaving with injury] against Troy… Set a career-high with eight tackles in upset bid at Texas A&M… Had four total tackles at Appalachian State… Recorded first career interception in win at New Mexico State… Final 13 tackles of the season were all solo (4 vs. UL-Lafayette; 6 at New Mexico State; 3 at Georgia Southern).
WR Kenzee Jackson (Senior, South Bend, Ind.)
Started all 12 games and led the team with 79 receptions on the season… Finished second on the team in yards (866) and TDs (four)… Three of four TDs came during conference season as well as 56 receptions and 611 yards… Mark of 866 yards was fifth in the Sun Belt and 47th nationally… Averaged 72.2 yards per game (fifth – SBC; 51st – FBS)… Was third in league and 17th in FBS with 6.6 grabs per game… Had multiple catches in 11 of 12 games… Had at least five catches in seven of eight conference games… Caught six passes for 82 yards and one score in road tilt at Arkansas State… Followed with eight receptions, 73 yards and one TD at Kentucky… Made eight catches for 87 yards in upset bid at Texas A&M… Had one TD at Appalachian State… Finished with 61 receiving yards on three catches against the Mountaineers… Totaled 95 yards on eight catches in home finale vs. UL-Lafayette… Had a career-high 13 grabs in win at New Mexico State… Mark of 13 catches was the highest mark in the Sun Belt this season… He also had a career-best 108 receiving yards against the Aggies… Hauled in 10 grabs (87 yards) in final collegiate game at Georgia Southern.
LB Michael Johnson (Junior, Maumelle, Ark.)
Appeared in all 12 games and made seven starts at linebacker in 2014… Led the Warhawks in both sacks (8.0) and tackles for loss (16.0) while ranking fourth in total tackles (83)… His eight sacks are the most since 2009 (Aaron Morgan, 9.0)… Had six quarterback hurries on the season (t-2nd on team) with one forced fumble and one safety (Texas State)… Ranks second in Sun Belt in tackles for loss and tied for third in sacks… His 83 total tackles are the 19th highest total in the Sun Belt… In conference-only stats, Johnson ranks in the top five in tackles for loss (13.5, second), tackles (71, T-4th) and sacks (5.5, fifth)… Currently ranks 19th in FBS in tackles for loss and 34th in FBS in sacks… Johnson had a monster game at New Mexico State as he was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week as well as Louisiana Defensive Player of the Week by the LSWA… Against the Aggies, Johnson registered career-bests in tackles (13), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (2.0)… Johnson made at least five tackles in nine of 12 games (7, Idaho; 5, at LSU; 7, Troy [incl. 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sack]; 9, at Arkansas State; 8, Texas State; 9, at Appalachian State; 7, UL-Lafayette; 13, New Mexico State; 11, at Georgia Southern).
LB Ray Stovall (Graduate, Tulsa, Okla.)
Started 10 games at linebacker in 2014 [missed two games due to injury]… Finished season with 47 total tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble… Mark of 3.5 sacks was tied for 17th in the Sun Belt and Stovall was 17th in tackles for loss… In conference-only games, he amassed 6.5 TFLs, a mark that placed him tied for 13th in the Sun Belt… Had four tackles including a sack in season opening win against Wake Forest… Registered eight stops and 1.5 sacks in win over Idaho… Finished with 10 total stops (five solo), including a tackle for loss, in road tilt at LSU… Had seven tackles in back-to-back league games (at Arkansas State; Texas State)… Combined for 2.5 TFLs in the two games against the Red Wolves and the Bobcats… Had four tackles (two solo) at Appalachian State… Made three total stops, including two for loss, at New Mexico State… Also forced an Aggie fumble in his final collegiate game.
Sun Belt All-Newcomer Team Selection:
QB Pete Thomas (Graduate, El Cajon, Calif.)
Started all 12 games under center and set new ULM single-season marks in pass attempts (501), pass completions (301), passing yards (3,181) and total plays (612; 501 pass, 110 rush, 1 reception)... Led conference with 25.08 completions per game – a mark that ranked seventh in FBS… Ranked second in SBC and 23rd nationally with 3,181 passing yards… Average of 265.1 ypg was second in Sun Belt and 20th nationally… Ranks fourth in SBC and 35th in NCAA in total offense… Tossed 14 touchdowns on the season and rushed for three others… Engineered three game-winning drives (4th Q or later) this season and is tied for the active FBS lead (seven)… One of two Sun Belt QBs to tally three or more games of 350 or more yards this season… Tied for conference lead with five 300+ yard games in 2014… Threw for a Sun Belt season-high 472 yards in home finale vs. UL-Lafayette… Passing total of 472 yards is the fifth highest total in ULM history and most for a Warhawk QB since 2002 (Steven Jyles, 470, Utah State)… Tallied 1,129 passing yards in final three games (UL-Lafayette; 350 at New Mexico State; 307 at Georgia Southern)… Tossed for 2,502 yards in conference season and led the conference with 312.8 ypg… Ranked second during conference season in total offense.
