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ULM Travels to A-State in Pursuit of West Division Crown

ULM Travels to A-State in Pursuit of West Division Crown

Football Nov 16
Game 11: ULM (6-4, 4-2 Sun Belt) vs. ARKANSAS STATE (6-4, 3-3 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 17 | 2:05 p.m. CT
Jonesboro, Ark. | Centennial Bank Stadium (30,382)
 
ULM Football Notes: Game 11 vs. Arkansas State
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 40th meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 25-14, including a 15-5 record in games played in Jonesboro. Arkansas State has won eight in a row and nine out of the last 11 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks' last win in Jonesboro came on Nov. 17, 2001, 16-7.
 
Last November, Justice Hansen accounted for 550 yards total offense and six touchdowns to lead Arkansas State to a 67-50 victory over ULM in Malone Stadium. Hansen completed 26-of-38 passes for 520 yards, four TDs and one interception. He also scored on TD runs of 8 and 38 yards in the third quarter as the Red Wolves built a 42-21 lead. ULM cut its deficit to 57-50 on Caleb Evans' fourth TD pass of the game, a 35-yard strike to D'Marius Gillespie, with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter. Arkansas State responded by scoring the game's final 10 points to secure the win.
 
Evans finished with career-best 515 yards total offense and a school record-tying six TDs in the 2017 home finale. He also set career highs for passing yards (454) and TD passes (4) against A-State.
 
The two teams combined for 117 points, 58 first downs and 1,371 yards total offense.
 
• The ULM defense pitched a shutout in the second half of last Saturday's 38-10 victory at South Alabama, with six drives resulting in five punts and one fourth-down stop. The Warhawks limited the Jaguars to four first downs and 64 yards total offense in the second half. USA's 10 points marked the fewest allowed by ULM under head coach Matt Viator.
 
• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt and No. 13 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, averaging 3.2 sacks per game. The Warhawks have recorded multiple sacks in eight of their 10 games, including five each against Southern Miss (36 yards), Coastal Carolina (37 yards) and Georgia Southern (29 yards). ULM (32 for 204 yards) has already exceeded last year's season total, as the Warhawks managed 21 sacks (137 yards) in 12 games.
 
• In Sun Belt play, ULM ranks among the league leaders in pass defense (second at 166.2 yards per game), total defense (second at 345.2 ypg.), sacks (second at 3.67 pg.), rushing defense (fourth at 179.0 ypg.), scoring defense (fourth at 25.0 points per game) and pass efficiency defense (fifth with 138.5 rating.) 
 
• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt in passing offense (255.1 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (435.8 ypg.). The Warhawks have amassed 500 yards total offense or more in three games in 2018, including back-to-back league games against Georgia Southern (season-best 573) and South Alabama (551).
 
In addition, ULM has allowed the second-fewest sacks in the league at 1.6 per game (16 sacks for 98 yards).
  
• Junior quarterback Caleb Evans ranks second the Sun Belt in passing yards (245.0 per game) and total offense (302.4 ypg.). The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Evans has completed 199-of-322 throws (.618) for 2,450 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also leads the Warhawks in rushing yards (574) and rushing TDs (9).
 
For the second week in a row, Evans was selected one of eight Manning Award "Stars for the Week" after producing 421 yards total offense and four TDs as ULM recorded its fourth-straight win and became bowl eligible with a 38-10 victory at South Alabama. The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 27-of-32 throws (.844) for a season-high 367 yards and two scores, including TD strikes of 29 yards to Jonathan Hodoh and 5 yards to D'Marius Gillespie. It marked his third 300-yard passing game of the season and eighth of his career. Evans completed passes to 11 different receivers. He also rushed 12 times for 54 yards, including TD runs of 4 and 15 yards. Evans directed the Warhawks on six-straight scoring drives of 70 or more yards, producing a field goal and five TDs.
 
• A key to Caleb Evans' throwing success in 2018 has been his ability to utilize all of the weapons at his disposal in ULM's one-back offense. Four Warhawks have at least 18 receptions, including Marcus Green (39 for 710 yards), R.J. Turner (34 for 469), Markis McCray (23 for 258) and Derrick Gore (18 for 83). In addition, eight different receivers have at least one touchdown reception.
 
• Fifth-year senior D'Marius Gillespie set career highs for receptions (7) and receiving yards (159), including a 5-yard touchdown grab from Caleb Evans late in the second quarter, in ULM's 38-10 win at South Alabama.
 
• Fifth-year senior Marcus Green, who ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and No. 28 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards (124.7 per game), has been named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football's most versatile player.
 
Green accounted for 139 all-purpose yards and one score against South Alabama, including a team-leading 68 rushing yards on just two carries. His 58-yard run, off an inside handoff, set up a first-quarter field goal. Green also finished off a three-play, 72-yard drive early in the third quarter with a 10-yard TD run.
 
The Pontotoc, Mississippi, native leads ULM in receptions (39), receiving yards (710) and touchdown receptions (7). Green ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second), receiving yards per game (second at 71.0) and receptions (ninth at 3.9 per game).
 
In addition, he leads ULM with 19 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 10 receptions, six kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His nine receptions of 30 or more yards are tied for 12th in the NCAA FBS.
 
• Fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith leads ULM in tackles (68 total: 35 solos, 33 assists), tackles for loss (10.5 for 35 yards) and sacks (5.0 for 25 yards). The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Griffith ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in tackles for loss (fourth), sacks (tied for fourth) and tackles (13th at 6.8 per game). He led ULM in tackles for the fourth-consecutive game, recording eight stops (4 solos, 4 assists) with 2.0 resulting in losses (5 yards), in a 38-10 victory at South Alabama. Griffith, who was credited with a half sack for 3 yards, has produced at least one tackle for loss in each of the last five games and seven of 10 games overall.
 
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 3 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
ULM Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
A-State Offense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore, 2 freshmen
A-State Defense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 10 games):
Rushing – Caleb Evans (113 carries for 574 yards, 5.1 avg., 9 TDs)
Passing – Caleb Evans (199 of 322 for 2,450 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving – Marcus Green (39 catches for 710 yards, 18.2 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles – David Griffith (68 tackles, 35 solos, 33 assists, 10.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks)
 
A-State (after 10 games):
Rushing – Marcel Murray (105 carries for 639 yards, 6.1 avg., 7 TDs)
Passing – Justice Hansen (221 of 337 for 2,650 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Kirk Merritt (63 catches for 697 yards, 11.1 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Darreo Jackson (70 tackles, 37 solos, 33 assists, 3.0 TFL); Justin Clifton (70 tackles, 36 solos, 34 assists, 5.5 TFL)
 
ULM/ARKANSAS STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 40th meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 25-14, including a 15-5 record in games played in Jonesboro. Arkansas State has won eight in a row and nine out of the last 11 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks' last win in Jonesboro came on Nov. 17, 2001, 16-7.
 
Last November, Justice Hansen accounted for 550 yards total offense and six touchdowns to lead Arkansas State to a 67-50 victory over ULM in Malone Stadium. Hansen completed 26-of-38 passes for 520 yards, four TDs and one interception. He also scored on TD runs of 8 and 38 yards in the third quarter as the Red Wolves built a 42-21 lead. ULM cut its deficit to 57-50 on Caleb Evans' fourth TD pass of the game, a 35-yard strike to D'Marius Gillespie, with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter. Arkansas State responded by scoring the game's final 10 points to secure the win.
 
Evans finished with career-best 515 yards total offense and a school record-tying six TDs in the 2017 home finale. He also set career highs for passing yards (454) and TD passes (4) against A-State.
 
The two teams combined for 117 points, 58 first downs and 1,371 yards total offense.
 
ULM DEFENSE KEYS FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK –
During its four-game winning streak, the ULM defense has limited its opponents to 17.3 points, 156.5 rushing yards, 122.3 passing yards and 278.8 total yards per game. In addition, the Warhawks have been disruptive, recording 38 tackles for loss (152 yards) including 17 sacks (107 yards).
 
FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK: A CLOSER LOOK INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• ULM's offense also has found its stride during the four-game winning streak, averaging 36.8 points, 220.5 rushing yards, 265.3 passing yards and 485.8 total yards per game.
 
• Fifth-year senior running back Derrick Gore is averaging 77.0 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry during ULM's four-game winning streak. Gore has recorded two 100-yard rushing games during this span, including a career-best 147 yards and two touchdowns at Coastal Carolina and 114 yards and one score against Georgia Southern.
 
• During the four-game winning streak, junior quarterback Caleb Evans has a passing efficiency rating of 164.92. Evans has completed 69-of-105 throws (.657) for 1,052 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition, he has rushed 47 times for 273 yards (68.2 yards per game) and six TDs. During this stretch, Evans has produced 331.2 yards total offense per game.
 
• Over the last four contests, fifth-year senior Marcus Green has 13 receptions for 318 yards (24.5 yards per catch) and three touchdowns while accounting for 151.8 all-purpose yards per game.
 
• Fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith has recorded 33 tackles over the last four games (8.3 per game), with 7.0 resulting in losses (26 yards) including 3.0 sacks (19 yards).
 
GREEN NAMED PAUL HORNUNG AWARD FINALIST –
Fifth-year senior Marcus Green, who has produced four scoring plays of 69 yards or more in 2018, has been named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football's most versatile player. His total ranks second among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, trailing only the Illini's Reggie Corbin who has five TD runs of at least 69 yards.
 
The 5-foot-8 Green leads ULM in receptions (39), receiving yards (710) and touchdown receptions (7). Green ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second), receiving yards per game (second at 71.0) and receptions (ninth at 3.9 per game). He also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and No. 28 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards, averaging 124.7 per game.
 
In addition, he leads ULM with 19 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 10 receptions, six kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His nine receptions of 30 or more yards are tied for 12th in the NCAA FBS.
 
Green accounted for 139 all-purpose yards and one score against South Alabama, including a team-leading 68 rushing yards on just two carries. His 58-yard run, off an inside handoff, set up a first-quarter field goal. Green also finished off a three-play, 72-yard drive early in the third quarter with a 10-yard TD run.
 
He recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and eighth of his career with two receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns in ULM's 44-25 win over Georgia Southern, has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 10. Green caught a pair of slants from Caleb Evans and turned them into scoring plays of 80 and 69 yards.
 
The Pontotoc, Mississippi, native accounted for 178 all-purpose yards in ULM's 45-20 victory at Coastal Carolina and was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 7. Green averaged 19.8 yards on nine touches against CCU. He had five receptions for 111 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown grab from Evans in the second quarter. His 17-yard punt return in the second quarter set up a field goal, and his 33-yard reception in the third quarter led to ULM's fourth TD.
 
Green was selected Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter at Ole Miss. It marked Green's first career punt return for a TD and his fifth career kick return for a score (four kickoff returns). He accounted for a season-high 198 all-purpose yards against the Rebels (seven receptions for 60 yards, three kickoff returns for 67 yards and one punt return for 71 yards).
 
Green had a team-high four catches for 75 yards at Texas A&M.
 
He caught a team-high four passes for 96 yards in ULM's 21-20 victory at Southern Miss, including TD receptions of 49 and 4 yards.
 
Green had seven receptions for 99 yards in ULM's 34-31 win over Southeastern Louisiana in the 2018 season opener, including TD grabs of 3 and 79 yards.
 
EVANS AGAIN SELECTED MANNING AWARD "STAR OF THE WEEK" –
Junior quarterback Caleb Evans ranks second the Sun Belt in passing yards (245.0 per game) and total offense (302.4 ypg.). The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Evans has completed 199-of-322 throws (.618) for 2,450 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also leads the Warhawks in rushing yards (574) and rushing TDs (9).
 
For the second week in a row, Evans was selected one of eight Manning Award "Stars for the Week" after producing 421 yards total offense and four TDs as ULM recorded its fourth-straight win and became bowl eligible with a 38-10 victory at South Alabama. The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 27-of-32 throws (.844) for a season-high 367 yards and two scores, including TD strikes of 29 yards to Jonathan Hodoh and 5 yards to D'Marius Gillespie. It marked his third 300-yard passing game of the season and eighth of his career. Evans completed passes to 11 different receivers. He also rushed 12 times for 54 yards, including TD runs of 4 and 15 yards. Evans directed the Warhawks on six-straight scoring drives of 70 or more yards, producing a field goal and five TDs.
 
Evans, who accounted for 439 yards total offense and four TDs to lead ULM to a 44-25 victory over Georgia Southern, has been named one of eight Manning Award "Stars of the Week" as well as Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week. He became the first opposing quarterback to produce 400-plus yards total offense against the Georgia Southern defense since the 2014 campaign. He led ULM to TDs on four of its first five possessions as the Warhawks jumped out to a 27-3 lead over the Eagles, who dropped their first league game of the season.
 
Evans recorded his second 300-yard passing game of the season and seventh of his career, completing 13-of-22 throws for 337 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He hooked up with Marcus Green for scoring plays of 80 and 69 yards in the first half. Evans also posted his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and third of his career, with 15 carries for 102 yards and two TDs. He scored on runs of 5 and 2 yards.
 
Evans ranks as the only NCAA FBS to put together multiple games with at least 290 passing yards and 100 rushing yards this season (vs. Georgia Southern and Troy).
 
In ULM's 45-20 victory at Coastal Carolina, Evans completed 16-of-22 passes for 224 yards at Coastal Carolina, including a 37-yard TD strike to Green. He accounted for 256 yards total offense and three scores at CCU, including TD runs of 1 and 20 yards in the second half.
 
With his 11-yard completion to Green early in the second quarter at Ole Miss, Evans became the eighth quarterback in ULM history to reach the 5,000-yard passing milestone. He completed 17-of-28 throws for 206 yards against the Rebels.
 
The Mansfield, Texas, native accounted for 317 yards total offense and two scores in the second half alone as ULM attempted to rally from a 28-point halftime deficit in ULM's 35-27 loss to Troy in the Sun Belt opener for both teams. In the second half, Evans completed 18-of-29 throws for 216 yards, including touchdown tosses of 4 yards to Sloan Spiller and 23 yards to Josh Pederson, and rushed nine times for 101 yards. He finished 29-of-48 passing for 290 yards.
 
Evans completed 15-of-28 passes for 225 yards at Texas A&M, including a 2-yard touchdown toss to R.J. Turner, and one interception.
 
He connected on 15-of-28 passes for 195 yards in ULM's 21-20 win at Southern Miss, including TD strikes of 49 and 4 yards to Marcus Green.
 
Evans accounted for 408 yards total offense and three TDs to lead ULM to a 34-31 season-opening victory over Southeastern Louisiana. He capped off a seven-play, 63-yard drive with the game-winning 11-yard TD run with 37 seconds left. Evans also added a two-point run on the conversion to provide the final margin. He set career highs for pass completions (35) and attempts (53) against Southeastern, including scoring tosses of 3 and 79 yards to Green. His 35 completions are tied for the sixth-highest single-game total in school history (Pete Thomas completed 35-of-50 throws at New Mexico State in 2014). Evans, who completed throws to 10 different receivers, also rushed 13 times for 62 yards and one score.
 
In 29 career games, Evans has completed 486-of-810 passes (.600) for 6,152 yards, 34 TDs and 20 interceptions. He has started 20 consecutive games as quarterback for ULM.
 
NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2018:
 
Individual Statistics (Top 50 )
Rushing Touchdowns: Caleb Evans (36th with 9 rushing touchdowns)
Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (36th with 19.9 completions per game)
Completion Percentage: Caleb Evans (49th with .618 completion percentage)
Passing Yards: Caleb Evans (27th with 2,450 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Caleb Evans (34th at 245.0 passing yards per game)
Yards Per Reception: Marcus Green (25th at 18.2 yards per reception)
Receiving Touchdowns: Marcus Green (39th with 7 touchdown receptions)
Total Offense: Caleb Evans (16th at 302.4 yards total offense per game)
Points Responsible For: Caleb Evans (30th with 134 points responsible for)
Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (38th with 13.4 points responsible for per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Marcus Green (28th at 124.7 all-purpose yards per game)
Punt Returns for Touchdowns: Marcus Green (tied for 3rd with 1 punt return for touchdown)
Fumbles Recovered: Sam Miller (tied for 16th with 2 fumble recoveries)
 
WARHAWK SINGLE-GAME BESTS UNDER VIATOR –
Here's a look at the top single-game totals produced by ULM during head coach Matt Viator's tenure (2016-present; 34 games):
 
Rushing Yards: 325 vs. Southern, 2016
 
Passing Yards: 454 vs. Arkansas State, 2017
 
Total Yards: 593 vs. ULL, 2017
 
First Downs: 31 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2018; vs. Texas State and Georgia State, 2016
 
Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: 42 yards by Georgia State, 2016
 
Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 0 by Louisiana, 2016
 
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 216 by Georgia Southern, 2018
 
Fewest First Downs Allowed: 11 by South Alabama, 2018
 
Sacks By: 5 vs. Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss, 2018; vs. ULL, 2017
 
Turnovers Forced: 4 vs. Southern Miss, 2018
 
Points (Game): 56 vs. ULL, 2017
 
Points (Half): 33 (1) vs. Texas State, 2016
 
Points (Quarter): 23 (1) vs. Texas State, 2016
 
Victory Margin: 28 vs. South Alabama, 2018
 
Fewest Points Allowed (Game): 10 by South Alabama, 2018
 
QUARTERBACK CLUB LUNCHEONS –
Weekly ULM Quarterback Club luncheons, featuring head football coach Matt Viator, are scheduled for Mondays, beginning at 11:45 a.m., in the Scogin Room, located inside Malone Stadium. The program includes opponent scouting reports provided by members of the coaching staff as well as guest appearances by ULM administrators and former players.
 
The annual membership fee for the ULM Quarterback Club is $300. Guests are welcome for the weekly luncheon.
 
HAWKTALK WITH MATT VIATOR –
HawkTalk with ULM head football coach Matt Viator airs Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m. on SportsTalk 97.7, live from Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar in West Monroe. Warhawk announcers Nick White and Mike McGee serve as co-hosts for this live show that features insight from Coach Viator, special guests and phone calls.
 
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