Green Again Selected First-Team All-Sun Belt at Multiple Positions

Football Nov 29

MONROE, La. – ULM fifth-year senior Marcus Green, who led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (855), touchdown receptions (8) and all-purpose yards (1,518) during the 2018 regular season, has been named to the All-Sun Belt First Team as both a wide receiver and all-purpose player, as selected by the league's head football coaches and media panel. It marks the second year in a row that Green has been named to the All-Sun Belt First Team at multiple positions (2017: return specialist and all-purpose player).

In addition, fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith has earned All-Sun Belt Second-Team honors while junior offensive lineman Bobby Reynolds, sophomore offensive lineman T.J. Fiailoa and junior quarterback Caleb Evans have received Third-Team recognition.

Nine different ULM players have garnered all-conference honors in 2018 (first team, second team, third team or honorable mention).

One of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football's most versatile player, the 5-foot-8, 188-pound Green produced four scoring plays of 69 yards or more during the 2018 regular season. His total ranked second among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, trailing only the Illini's Reggie Corbin who has five TD runs of at least 69 yards.

Green ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (tied for second), receiving yards per game (tied for third at 71.2) and receptions (seventh at 4.2 per game). He also led the team in receptions in eight of 12 regular-season games. Green ranked fourth on the team in rushing with 20 carries for 193 yards (9.6 avg.) and one TD.

The Pontotoc, Mississippi, native ranked third in the Sun Belt and No. 24 in the NCAA FBS in all-purpose yards, averaging 126.5 per game. In addition, Green led ULM with 24 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 12 receptions, nine kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His five all-purpose plays of 60 or more yards tied for second in the NCAA FBS.

"I couldn't be happier for Marcus Green, who has had a huge impact on our program for the last three years," ULM head coach Matt Viator said. "Marcus had a stellar senior season and rewrote the ULM record book along the way. Over the last three years, it was impressive to watch him transition from being a kick return specialist into a polished receiver and complete football player."

Green amassed 190 combined yards in the regular-season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns and became ULM's all-time leader with 5,286 all-purpose yards (previous record: 5,246 yards by running back Cisco Richard, 1987-90). He had six receptions for 76 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown grab from Caleb Evans with 4:47 left in the fourth quarter as ULM cut its deficit to 31-28. With his six catches against ULL, Green became only the third player in school history to reach the 200-career receptions milestone (209 by Brent Leonard, 2009-12; 204 by Green, 2015-18; and 203 by Mark Vincent, 2000-03). He returned four kickoffs for 100 yards, including a season-long 43-yard runback in the second quarter that set up the Warhawks' second TD. Green added four rushes for 14 yards.

He 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 TDs in ULM's 44-25 win over Georgia Southern. Green, who caught a pair of slants from Evans and turned them into scoring plays of 80 and 69 yards against the Eagles, was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 10.

After accounting for 178 all-purpose yards in ULM's 45-20 victory at Coastal Carolina, Green 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 TD 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 48 career games, Green had 204 receptions for 2,744 yards and 24 touchdowns. He ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in TD receptions (second), receptions (second) and receiving yards (third). Green caught at least one pass in 24 consecutive games.

The 6-1, 205-pound Griffith set career highs in tackles (92), tackles for loss (15.5 for 44 yards) and sacks (5.0 for 25 yards). He ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in tackles for loss (second), tackles (fifth at 7.7 per game) and sacks (tied for fifth). Griffith produced at least one tackle for loss in each of the last seven games and nine of 12 games overall. He anchored a Warhawk unit that ranked fourth in total defense in Sun Belt league games, allowing 366.0 yards per game.

"David Griffith was a very dependable and consistent player over the last three years," Viator said. "David had a banner senior year and clearly established himself as one of the top linebackers in the Sun Belt. It was only fitting for him to become ULM's career leader in tackles for loss in his final home game."

Griffith produced double-figure tackles for the second time in 2018 and eighth time in his career, matching his season-high with 12 stops in the home finale against the Ragin' Cajuns. He also was credited for one tackle for loss for 2 yards against ULL to become ULM's all-time leader in that category (42.5 career tackles for loss).

The Plano, Texas, native 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 registered eight stops (4 solos, 4 assists) with 2.0 resulting in losses (5 yards), in a 38-10 victory at South Alabama.

He produced a team-high eight tackles, including a 4-yard sack, to help lead ULM to a 44-25 victory over Georgia Southern.

Griffith made eight stops (5 solos, 3 assists), with 2.5 resulting in tackles for loss (13 yards) including a career-best 1.5 sacks (12 yards), and forced a fumble as ULM snapped a four-game losing streak with a 45-20 victory at Coastal Carolina. His forced fumble set up ULM's second touchdown against CCU.

He posted eight tackles at Ole Miss, including 1.5 for losses (4 yards). Griffith was credited with seven stops each against Southeastern Louisiana (3-yard sack) and at Georgia State.

The 6-2, 282-pound Reynolds graded out as a winner in all 12 regular season games. He produced the highest grade among offensive linemen in five games and scored 90 percent or higher in five games. Reynolds led the offensive line in snaps played (827) and knockdowns (39). He surrendered only a half sack in nearly 400 passing plays.

"Bobby Reynolds has steadily improved over the last three years," Viator said. "Bobby consistently played at a high level this season and assumed a greater leadership role. He really took ownership of the unit and pulled them together. Bobby also has the unique ability to bring out the best in the players around him."

The Keller, Texas, native anchored an offensive line that has helped ULM amass 500 yards total offense or more in three games in 2018, including back-to-back Sun Belt games against Georgia Southern (season-best 573) and South Alabama (551).

Reynolds graded out a season-best 97.4 percent, including a perfect score (100 percent) on assignments, and totaled three knockdowns at South Alabama. He scored 95.6 percent at Ole Miss to go along with five knockdowns. Reynolds graded out 96.6 percent against Troy while recording a season-best eight knockdowns. He also received a perfect score (100 percent) on assignments at Texas A&M. Reynolds played a season-high 102 snaps in the 2018 season opener against Southeastern Louisiana and produced five knockdowns.

The 6-4, 325-pound Fiailoa produced a winning grade in all 12 regular-season games. He posted the highest grade among offensive linemen in four games and scored 90 percent or higher in seven games. Fiailoa played 773 total snaps and his 36 knockdowns rank second among offensive linemen. He allowed only 1.5 sacks in 373 passing plays.

"T.J. Fiailoa is still young and still progressing as a lineman," Viator said. "He worked incredibly hard last offseason to lose some weight and change his body. As a result, T.J. began to set himself apart as one of the elite linemen in the Sun Belt with his consistency in performance as well as his ability to extend and finish plays."

The Lawton, Oklahoma, native helped anchor an offensive line that has helped ULM amass 500 yards total offense or more in three games in 2018, including back-to-back Sun Belt games against Georgia Southern (season-best 573) and South Alabama (551).

Fiailoa recorded perfect scores (100 percent) on assignments in three games: against Southeastern Louisiana, at Southern Miss and against Georgia Southern. He graded out a season-best 96.7 percent against Texas State, including six knockdowns. Fiailoa scored 94 percent against Troy while recording a season-best eight knockdowns. He graded 93.5 percent with five knockdowns while playing 100 snaps in the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana.

The 6-2, 208-pound Evans ranked second the Sun Belt in passing yards (239.1 per game) and total offense (297.1 ypg.). He completed 231-of-374 throws (.618) for 2,869 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Evans led the Warhawks in rushing TDs (10) and ranked second on the team in rushing with a career-high 632 rushing yards (140 carries).

"With his leadership and production this season, Caleb Evans put the offense in a position to be successful," Viator said. "We're definitely looking forward to another offseason of growth and development to set up his senior year."

He recorded his ninth 200-yard passing game of the season and 16th of his career, completing 15-of-24 passes for 201 yards, two TDs and one interception in the regular-season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns. Evans completed TD tosses of 13 yards to Austin Vaughn in the second quarter and 30 yards to Green in the fourth quarter.

The Mansfield, Texas, native hit 17-of-28 throws for 218 yards, one TD and three interceptions at Arkansas State. Evans 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. He 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. He 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. Evans 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.

He completing 13-of-22 throws for 337 yards, two TDs and two interceptions against the Eagles. He hooked up with 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.

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, he completed 16-of-22 passes for 224 yards at Coastal Carolina, including a 37-yard TD strike to Green. Evans accounted for 256 yards total offense and three scores at CCU, including TD runs of 1 and 20 yards in the second half.

He completed 17-of-28 throws for 206 yards at Ole Miss.

Evans 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, he 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. Evans finished 29-of-48 passing for 290 yards against the Trojans.

He completed 15-of-28 passes for 225 yards at Texas A&M, including a 2-yard TD toss to R.J. Turner, and one interception.

Evans 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 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 31 career games, Evans has completed 518-of-862 passes (.601) for 6,571 yards, 37 TDs and 24 interceptions. He already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 10 in completion percentage (second), pass completions (fifth), passing yards (sixth), pass attempts (seventh) and TD passes (seventh). Evans has started 22 consecutive games as quarterback for ULM.

Four other Warhawks have received All-Sun Belt honorable mention: fifth-year senior running back Derrick Gore, fifth-year senior defensive back Marcus Hubbard, junior defensive lineman Donald Louis Jr. and junior defensive lineman Jaylen Veasley.

The 5-10, 208-pound Gore led the team in rushing with 131 carries for 662 yards (5.1 avg.) and six TDs. He led the team in rushing in six of 12 regular-season games, including 11 attempts for 79 yards in the home finale against the Ragin' Cajuns.

The Warhawks went 3-0 in 2018 when Gore rushed for more than 100 yards. He 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 the winning streak, including a career-best 147 yards and two TDs at Coastal Carolina and 114 yards and one score against Georgia Southern. He rushed 21 times for 104 yards and a TD in the 2018 season opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Gore finished second on the team with 759 all-purpose yards. He had a career-high 21 receptions for 80 yards. Gore caught at least one pass in eight games.

The 5-9, 180-pound Hubbard started all 12 regular-season games at field corner and tied for second on the team in pass break-ups (5) and ranked ninth in tackles (37). He registered three solo tackles in the home finale against the Ragin' Cajuns, with two resulting in losses (10 yards) including a 7-yard sack.

Hubbard recorded five solo tackles, including a 1-yard sack, in ULM's 44-25 victory over Georgia Southern. He produced a season-high six tackles against Texas State. Hubbard made four solo stops, including one tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble at Coastal Carolina. He also posted four solo tackles at Ole Miss. The Rowlett, Texas, native contributed three tackles and an interception at Southern Miss. Hubbard was credited with three tackles and two pass break-ups in the 2018 season opener against Southeastern Louisiana.

The 6-3, 270-pound Louis ranked third on the team in tackles for loss (6.5 for 36 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 31 yards) – both totals represent career highs. He was listed among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in sacks (tied for ninth at 0.38 per game). Louis recorded 31 total tackles (15 solos, 16 assists).

The Monroe, Louisiana, native registered five solo tackles at Georgia State, including a 7-yard sack.

Louis was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week after setting career highs for tackles for loss (3 for 19 yards) and sacks (2 for 15 yards) in ULM's 21-20 win at Southern Miss. His six total tackles also matched his career high. His 6-yard sack on USM's second possession produced a fumble that Sam Miller recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.

The 6-2, 265-pound Veasley finished second among ULM defensive linemen with a career-best 34 tackles (10 solos, 24 assists). His 3.5 tackles for loss (11 yards) also represent a career high. Veasley produced a career-best five tackles in the regular-season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns. He posted four tackles each against Troy and at Coastal Carolina (9-yard sack).

Print Friendly Version

ULM Warhawks

Related News

Green Again Selected First-Team All-Sun Belt at Multiple Positions