Game 12: RAGIN' CAJUNS (6-5, 4-3 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (6-5, 4-3 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 24 | 2:05 p.m. CT
Monroe, La. | JPS Field at Malone Stadium (30,000)
ULM Football Notes: Game 12 vs. Ragin' Cajuns
FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 54th meeting between ULM and ULL. The Ragin' Cajuns lead the all-time series 27-25 (2011 game result vacated by ULL), including a 14-13 record in games played in Monroe. ULL has won eight out of the last 11 meetings, including six-straight games in Malone Stadium. Eight of those last 11 games have been decided by nine points or less.
Last September, Caleb Evans accounted for 472 yards total offense and six touchdowns to lead ULM to a 56-50 double-overtime win at ULL in the Sun Belt opener for both teams. Evans connected on 28-of-34 passes for 343 yards and a TD against ULL, including a 15-yard TD toss to R.J. Turner in the first overtime. He set career highs for carries (16), rushing yards (129), rushing TDs (tied school single-game record with 5) and TDs responsible for (6; tied ULM's single-game record). Evans scored on TD runs of 7, 38, 7, 5 and 6 yards as ULM snapped a three-game losing streak against the Ragin' Cajuns.
Derrick Gore scored the game-winning TD on an 8-yard run after Calvin Linden missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt on its second-overtime series.
• With its 38-10 win at South Alabama, ULM became bowl eligible for the first time since 2013. The Warhawks head into the final weekend of the regular season in a three-way tie (with Arkansas State and the Ragin' Cajuns) for first atop the Sun Belt West Division standings. ULM can win the West Division title outright with a victory over the Ragin' Cajuns combined with an Arkansas State loss at Texas State.
• Fifteen seniors will make their final appearance in Malone Stadium Saturday against the Ragin' Cajuns. The Class of 2018 includes: cornerback Jarell Brown (Wylie, Texas), kicker Craig Ford (Paradis, La.), defensive lineman Derion Ford (Starkville, Miss.), wide receiver D'Marius Gillespie (Olive Branch, Miss.), running back Derrick Gore (Syracuse, N.Y.), wide receiver Marcus Green (Pontotoc, Miss.), linebacker David Griffith (Plano, Texas), cornerback Marcus Hubbard (Rowlett, Texas), defensive lineman Tyler Johnson (Red Bank, S.C.), linebacker Lee Marshall (Monroe, La.), offensive tackle Joquarius Savage (Monroe, La.), tight end Sloan Spiller (Katy, Texas), safety Wesley Thompson (Tyler, Texas), safety Collin Turner (Arlington, Texas) and kicker Matt Wylie (Dripping Springs, Texas).
• ULM's 2018 roster features 42 players from the state of Louisiana, including seven of the Warhawks' 24 probable starters against the Ragin' Cajuns: left guard Devin Jackson Jr. (Marrero/Edna Karr), defensive end Kerry Starks (Marrero/John Ehret), defensive end Donald Louis Jr. (Monroe/Neville), linebacker Chase Day (Baton Rouge/The Dunham School), cornerback Corey Straughter (Monroe/Neville), weak safety Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita Parish) and kicker Craig Ford (Paradis/Hahnville).
• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt and No. 15 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, averaging 3.0 sacks per game. The Warhawks have recorded multiple sacks in eight of their 11 games, including five each against Southern Miss (36 yards), Coastal Carolina (37 yards) and Georgia Southern (29 yards). ULM (33 for 215 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 sacks (second at 3.29 pg.), total defense (third at 353.6 ypg.), rushing defense (fourth at 176.0 ypg.), pass defense (fourth at 177.6 yards per game) and scoring defense (fourth at 25.9 points per game).
• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt in passing offense (251.7 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (421.3 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 third-fewest sacks in the league at 1.73 per game (19 sacks for 123 yards).
• Junior quarterback Caleb Evans ranks second the Sun Belt in passing yards (242.5 per game) and total offense (297.8 ypg.). The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Evans has completed 216-of-350 throws (.617) for 2,668 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also leads the Warhawks in rushing yards (career-high 608) and rushing TDs (10).
Evans recorded his eighth 200-yard passing game of the season and 15th of his career while hitting 17-of-28 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions at Arkansas State. He hooked up with tight end Josh Pederson for a 34-yard scoring play in the second quarter as ULM cut its deficit to 10-7. Evans also scored his 10th rushing TD of the season on a 1-yard keeper in the third quarter.
• 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 19 receptions, including Marcus Green (44 for 779 yards), R.J. Turner (34 for 469), Markis McCray (24 for 263) and Derrick Gore (19 for 77). In addition, eight different receivers have at least one touchdown reception.
• Fifth-year senior Marcus Green, who ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and No. 34 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards (120.7 per game), has been named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football's most versatile player.
The 5-foot-8 Green leads ULM in receptions (44), receiving yards (779) and touchdown receptions (7). He ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second), receiving yards per game (third at 70.8) and receptions (eighth at 4.0 per game). Green has led the team in receptions in seven of 11 games.
In addition, he leads ULM with 20 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 11 receptions, six kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His nine receptions of 30 or more yards are tied for 14th in the NCAA FBS.
In 47 career games, Green has 198 receptions for 2,668 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in TD receptions (tied for second with Marty Booker, 1995-98), receptions (fourth) and receiving yards (fourth). Green needs two catches against the Ragin' Cajuns in the regular-season finale to become only the third player in school history to reach 200 career receptions (209 by Brent Leonard, 2009-12; 203 by Mark Vincent, 2000-03). Green has caught at least one pass in 23 consecutive games.
• Fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith leads ULM in tackles (career-high 80 total: 41 solos, 39 assists), tackles for loss (14.5 for 42 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 (second), sacks (tied for fourth) and tackles (sixth at 7.3 per game). He led ULM in tackles for the fifth-consecutive game, recording a season-high 12 tackles (6 solos, 6 assists) including a career-best 4.0 tackles for loss (7 yards), in ULM's 31-17 loss at Arkansas State. Griffith has produced at least one tackle for loss in each of the last six games and eight of 11 games overall.
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 3 seniors, 6 juniors, 2 sophomores
ULM Defense: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
Ragin' Cajuns Offense: 3 seniors, 6 juniors, 2 sophomores
Ragin' Cajuns Defense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 11 games):
Rushing – Caleb Evans (127 carries for 608 yards, 4.8 avg., 10 TDs)
Passing – Caleb Evans (216 of 350 for 2,668 yards, 14 TDs, 11 INTs)
Receiving – Marcus Green (44 catches for 779 yards, 17.7 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles – David Griffith (80 tackles, 41 solos, 39 assists, 14.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks)
Ragin' Cajuns (after 11 games):
Rushing – Trey Ragas (158 carries for 925 yards, 5.9 avg., 8 TDs)
Passing – Andre Nunez (153 of 234 for 1,903 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs)
Receiving – Ryheem Malone (33 catches for 368 yards, 11.2 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Jacques Boudreaux (72 tackles, 33 solos, 39 assists, 3.5 TFL)
ULM/ULL SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 54th meeting between ULM and ULL. The Ragin' Cajuns lead the all-time series 27-25 (2011 game result vacated by ULL), including a 14-13 record in games played in Monroe. ULL has won eight out of the last 11 meetings, including six-straight games in Malone Stadium. Eight of those last 11 games have been decided by nine points or less.
Last September, Caleb Evans accounted for 472 yards total offense and six touchdowns to lead ULM to a 56-50 double-overtime win at ULL in the Sun Belt opener for both teams. Evans connected on 28-of-34 passes for 343 yards and a TD against ULL, including a 15-yard TD toss to R.J. Turner in the first overtime. He set career highs for carries (16), rushing yards (129), rushing TDs (tied school single-game record with 5) and TDs responsible for (6; tied ULM's single-game record). Evans scored on TD runs of 7, 38, 7, 5 and 6 yards as ULM snapped a three-game losing streak against the Ragin' Cajuns.
Derrick Gore scored the game-winning TD on an 8-yard run after Calvin Linden missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt on its second-overtime series.
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 56, ULL 50 – 2OT (Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette, La.): Caleb Evans accounted for 472 yards total offense and six touchdowns to lead ULM to a 56-50 double-overtime win at Louisiana Lafayette in the Sun Belt opener for both teams.
Evans completed 28-of-34 throws for 343 yards and one touchdown and set career highs for carries (16), rushing yards (129), rushing TDs (tied school single-game record with 5) and TDs responsible for (6). He scored on TD runs of 7, 38, 7, 5 and 6 yards, as the Warhawks snapped a three-game losing streak against the Ragin' Cajuns.
On a third-and-4 play on ULM's second possession, Markis McCray took a double reverse from Marcus Green and gained 37 yards to the ULL 46-yard line. Evans capped on an 11-play, 89-yard drive with a 7-yard TD run as ULM jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 8:00 left in the first quarter.
Late in the first quarter, Harrison Heim's 40-yard punt pinned ULL back on its own 1-yard line, and three plays later, Nick Ingram sacked Jordan Davis for a 6-yard loss and a safety as ULM took a 9-0 lead.
On third-and-1, Evans scored on a 38-yard TD run around right end as ULM built a 16-0 lead with 13:22 remaining in the second quarter.
The Ragin' Cajuns responded on their next series, as Elijah Mitchell carried five times for 75 yards, including a 1-yard TD plunge with 11:21 left in the first half.
On second-and-7, Evans hooks up with Green for a 32-yard gain to the ULL 42-yard line. Next on a third-and-16 play, Evans finds Green for an 18-yard gain a fresh set of downs at the ULL 18. Derrick Gore finished off the 10-play, 77-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run up the middle as ULM moved out to a 23-7 lead with 7:16 left in the second quarter.
ULL answered with an 11-play, 75-yard drive and pulled to within 23-13 on Mitchell's second TD run, a 10-yarder, with 2:52 remaining in the second quarter.
ULM failed to convert on a fourth-and-6 play from the ULL 30 on its first drive of the third quarter. The Ragin' Cajuns put together a 13-play, 67-yard drive and cut its deficit to 23-16 on a 20-yard field goal by Stevie Antigue with 5:16 left in the third quarter.
Green returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the ULM 48-yard line. On second-and-15, Evans displayed poise in the pocket and hooked up with Gore out of the backfield for a 46-yard gain to the ULL 11. Two plays later, Evans scored his third rushing TD on a 7-yard keep as ULM built a 30-16 lead with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter.
The Ragin' Cajuns countered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive and rallied to within 30-33 when Dion Ray scored on a 6-yard keeper around right end with 51 seconds left in the third quarter.
Evans opened ULM's next series with a 39-yard strike to Green to the ULL 41-yard line. Three plays later, Evans hit R.J. Turner for 24 yards on a slant play to set up first-and-goal at the ULL 5. Evans finished off the seven-play, 75-yard drive with his fourth rushing TD, scoring on a 5-yard keeper as ULM took a 36-22 lead with 13:46 on the clock in the fourth quarter.
The Warhawk defense forced ULL to go three-and-out on its next series. On the sixth play of the drive, Evans hooked up with Duke Carter on a wheel route for a 32-yard gain to the ULL 13; and added half the distance to the goal on a facemask penalty against the Ragin' Cajuns. On the next play, Evans reached pay dirt for the fifth time, scoring on a 6-yard run, as ULM extended its lead to 43-22 with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter. His fifth rushing TD tied ULM's single-game record (Thomas Koufie scored five rushing TD vs. Georgia State, 2016).
ULL's next three possessions produced touchdowns, including a 1-yard TD run by Trey Ragas, a 12-yard scoring pass from Andre Nunez to Jarrod Jackson and a 14-yard strike from Nunez to Ja'Marcus Bradley as time expired in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime tied at 43-43.
The Warhawks regained the lead at 50-43 on the fifth play of overtime, as Evans connected with Turner for a 15-yard scoring play over the middle. ULL tied the score at 50-50 on a 6-yard run off left tackle by Nunez.
The Ragin' Cajuns' second possession in overtime netted only 3 yards, and Calvin Linden's 39-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right. Gore opened ULM's second overtime series with an 11-yard gain around left end and three plays later scored on an 8-yard run up with middle to give the Warhawks a 56-50 victory.
Green finished with eight receptions for 117 yards while David Griffith recorded 11 stops against the Ragin' Cajuns, with two resulting in losses (10 yards), including a 6-yard sack.
ULM/ULL COACHING CONNECTIONS –
Three members of ULL's coaching staff – offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Rob Sale, wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Tim Leger and outside linebackers/special teams coordinator Matt Powledge – have worked for ULM head coach Matt Viator. All three became members of Viator's inaugural ULM staff for the 2016 season.
Sale, who previously served under Viator for three seasons at McNeese State (offensive line coach, 2012-13; co-offensive coordinator, 2014), coached the Warhawk offensive line in 2016.
Leger, who spent nine years as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Viator at McNeese State from 2007-15, served as ULM's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons (2016-17).
Powledge coached ULM's tight ends and served as special teams coordinator for two years from 2016-17.
BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS –
ULM's 2018 roster features 42 players from the state of Louisiana, including seven of the Warhawks' 24 probable starters against the Ragin' Cajuns: left guard Devin Jackson Jr. (Marrero/Edna Karr), defensive end Kerry Starks (Marrero/John Ehret), defensive end Donald Louis Jr. (Monroe/Neville), linebacker Chase Day (Baton Rouge/The Dunham School), cornerback Corey Straughter (Monroe/Neville), weak safety Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita Parish) and kicker Craig Ford (Paradis/Hahnville).
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 (44), receiving yards (779) and touchdown receptions (7). He ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second), receiving yards per game (third at 70.8) and receptions (eighth at 4.0 per game). Green has led the team in receptions in seven of 11 games.
He also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and No. 34 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards, averaging 120.7 per game.
In addition, he leads ULM with 20 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 11 receptions, six kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His nine receptions of 30 or more yards are tied for 14th 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, was 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.
In 47 career games, Green has 198 receptions for 2,668 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in TD receptions (tied for second with Marty Booker, 1995-98), receptions (fourth) and receiving yards (fourth). Green needs two catches against the Ragin' Cajuns in the regular-season finale to become only the third player in school history to reach 200 career receptions (209 by Brent Leonard, 2009-12; 203 by Mark Vincent, 2000-03). Green has caught at least one pass in 23 consecutive games.
With his 139 all-purpose yards in Game 10 at South Alabama, Green became only the second player in ULM history to eclipse 5,000 career all-purpose yards, joining former running back Cisco Richard (5,246 career all-purpose yards, 1987-90).
EVANS REACHES 6,000-YARD PASSING MILESTONE –
Junior quarterback Caleb Evans ranks second the Sun Belt in passing yards (242.5 per game) and total offense (297.8 ypg.). The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Evans has completed 216-of-350 throws (.617) for 2,668 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also leads the Warhawks in rushing yards (career-high 608) and rushing TDs (10).
Evans recorded his eighth 200-yard passing game of the season and 15th of his career while hitting 17-of-28 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions at Arkansas State. He hooked with with tight end Josh Pederson for a 34-yard scoring play in the second quarter as ULM cut its deficit to 10-7. Evans also scored his 10th rushing TD of the season on a 1-yard keeper in the third quarter.
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. With his performance, he became the sixth quarterback in ULM history to surpass the 6,000-yard passing milestone. 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, was 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 player 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 school history to reach 5,000 career passing yards. 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 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 30 career games, Evans has completed 503-of-838 passes (.600) for 6,370 yards, 35 TDs and 23 interceptions. He already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 10 in completion percentage (tied for third), pass completions (sixth), passing yards (sixth), pass attempts (seventh) and TD passes (seventh). Evans has started 21 consecutive games as quarterback for ULM.
FORD CLIMBS ULM'S CAREER SCORING CHART –
With five points (two extra points and a 37-yard field goal) at Arkansas State, fifth-year senior kicker Craig Ford moved ahead of Justin Manton (256 points, 2011-14) into second place on ULM's all-time scoring chart with 258 career points, trailing only Teddy Garcia who accounted for 326 career points from 1984-87 (his totals include four NCAA I-AA playoff games in 1987).
The 6-foot-2, 156-pound Ford has connected on 37-of-53 career field-goal attempts (.698) and 147-of-153 career extra-point attempts (.961).
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 10 rushing touchdowns)
Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (36th with 19.6 completions per game)
Passing Yards: Caleb Evans (24th with 2,668 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Caleb Evans (32nd at 242.5 passing yards per game)
Receiving Yards: Marcus Green (48th with 779 receiving yards)
Yards Per Reception: Marcus Green (35th at 17.7 yards per reception)
Receiving Touchdowns: Marcus Green (49th with 7 touchdown receptions)
Total Offense: Caleb Evans (15th at 297.8 yards total offense per game)
Points Responsible For: Caleb Evans (31st with 146 points responsible for)
Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (40th with 13.3 points responsible for per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Marcus Green (34th at 120.7 all-purpose yards per game)
Punt Returns for Touchdowns: Marcus Green (tied for 5th with 1 punt return for touchdown)
Punting: Jared Porter (44th at 42.2 yards per punt)
Tackles For Loss: David Griffith (27th at 1.3 tackles for loss per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Sam Miller (17th with 2 fumble recoveries)
ULM DEFENSE KEYED FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK –
During its four-game winning streak, the ULM defense 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 were 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 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 averaged 77.0 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry during ULM's four-game winning streak. Gore recorded two 100-yard rushing games during that 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 had a passing efficiency rating of 164.92. Evans completed 69-of-105 throws (.657) for 1,052 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition, he rushed 47 times for 273 yards (68.2 yards per game) and six TDs. During this stretch, Evans produced 331.2 yards total offense per game.
• During the four-game winning streak, fifth-year senior Marcus Green had 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 recorded 33 tackles during the four-game winning streak (8.3 per game), with 7.0 resulting in losses (26 yards) including 3.0 sacks (19 yards).
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; 35 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
