ULM Warhawks

Game 3: ULM (2-0) vs. Texas A&M (1-1)

Saturday, Sept. 15 | 6:39 p.m. CT

College Station, Texas | Kyle Field (102,733)

 

ULM Football Notes: Game 3 vs. Texas A&M

 

FIRST-AND-10 –

• Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Texas A&M. The Aggies lead the all-time series 3-0, with all of the games played in College Station.

 

• The Warhawks have compiled a 4-46-1 record (.088) against current members of the Southeastern Conference (1-2 vs. Alabama, 1-8 vs. Arkansas, 0-11 vs. Auburn, 0-2 vs. Florida, 0-4 vs. Georgia, 1-4 vs. Kentucky, 0-3 vs. LSU, 1-4-1 vs. Mississippi State, 0-1 vs. Missouri, 0-3 vs. Ole Miss, 0-1 vs. Tennessee and 0-3 vs. Texas A&M). ULM's last win over an SEC opponent came in the 2012 season opener against No. 8 Arkansas in Little Rock, 34-31, in overtime.

 

• ULM is off to a 2-0 start for the 11th time since becoming a four-year college in 1951 and for the first time since 2014. The Warhawks have produced winning records in eight of those previous 10 seasons, including a 13-2 worksheet while en route to the NCAA I-AA National Championship in 1987.

 

• ULM's 2018 roster features 41 players from the state of Texas, including 13 of the Warhawks' 26 probable starters against Texas A&M: junior left tackle Trace Ellison (Frisco / Centennial), junior center Bobby Reynolds (Keller), senior tight end Sloan Spiller (Katy), junior quarterback Caleb Evans (Mansfield / Bishop Dunne), senior wide receiver Xavier Brown (Duncanville), junior defensive end Sam Miller (Canton), junior defensive tackle Jaylen Veasley (Rockwall), fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith (Plano / Plano Senior), fifth-year senior safety Collin Turner (Arlington / Martin), fifth-year senior weak safety Wesley Thompson (Tyler / Chapel Hill), sophomore free safety Austin Hawley (Gladewater), fifth-year senior field corner Marcus Hubbard (Rowlett / Sachse), freshman kickoff specialist Jacob Meeks (Grand Prairie / Mansfield Lake Ridge) or graduate kickoff specialist Matt Wylie (Dripping Springs).

 

• ULM leads the Sun Belt in rushing defense (65.0 yards per game) and sacks (8 for 52 yards; 4.0 per game) and ranks second in takeaways (5: 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries). The Warhawks also rank among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in both categories: eighth in sacks and No. 10 in rushing defense. ULM is one of 16 NCAA FBS teams that haven't allowed a rushing touchdown this season. The Warhawk defense is allowing just 2.28 yards per rushing attempt – the 15th-lowest average in the NCAA FBS.

 

• The Warhawks rank third in the Sun Belt in passing offense (270.5 yards per game) and total offense (454.0 ypg.) and fourth in time of possession (30:06) and third-down conversions (43 percent; 13-of-30). In addition, ULM is one of 12 teams that hasn't permitted a sack this season.

 

• Donald Louis Jr., who set 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, has been named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week. 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 Warhawk defense posted seven tackles for loss (49 yards) against USM, including five sacks (36 yards), and forced four turnovers (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions). ULM limited the Golden Eagles to 58 rushing yards on 34 carries (1.7 avg.).

 

• Junior bookends Sam Miller (3 for 19 yards) and Donald Louis Jr. (2 for 15 yards), who rank 1-2 in the Sun Belt in sacks, have combined to account for five (34 yards) of ULM's league-leading eight sacks (52 yards). Miller (No. 3 at 1.5 per game) and Louis (No. 19 at 1.0 pg.) both rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in sacks.

 

• Fifth-year senior Marcus Green leads ULM in receptions (11), receiving yards (195), yards per catch (17.7) and touchdown receptions (4). Green leads the Sun Belt in TD receptions and ranks second in receptions (5.5 per game) and receiving yards (97.5 per game). His four TD receptions rank third in the NCAA FBS. Green now has 20 career TD catches – good for third place on ULM's all-time list.

 

• Junior quarterback Caleb Evans leads the Sun Belt in total offense, averaging 321.0 yards per game. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Evans has completed 50-of-81 throws (.617) for 541 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. His 270.5 passing yards per game rank third in the conference. He also ranks second on the team in rushing with 101 yards (50.5 per game).

 

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 Marcus Green.

 

He accounted for 408 yards total offense and three TDs to lead ULM to a 34-31 season-opening victory over Southeastern Louisiana. Evans capped off a seven-play, 63-yard drive with the game-winning 11-yard TD run with 37 seconds left. He also added a two-point run on the conversion to provide the final margin. Evans 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.

 

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –

ULM Offense: 4 seniors, 6 juniors, 1 sophomore

ULM Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores

Texas A&M Offense: 2 seniors, 3 juniors, 6 sophomores

Texas A&M Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores

STAT LEADERS –

ULM (after two games):

Rushing – Derrick Gore (28 carries for 118 yards, 4.2 avg., 1 TD)

Passing – Caleb Evans (50 of 81 for 541 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs)

Receiving – Marcus Green (11 catches for 195 yards, 17.7 avg., 4 TDs)

Tackles – Collin Turner (14 tackles, 6 solos, 8 assists, 1 PBU)

 

Texas A&M (after two games):

Rushing – Trayveon Williams (37 carries for 271 yards, 7.3 avg., 3 TDs)

Passing – Kellen Mond (40 of 65 for 614 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs)

Receiving – Kendrick Rogers (9 catches for 153 yards, 17.0 avg., 2TDs); Jhamon Ausbon (9 catches for 142 yards, 15.8 avg., 0 TDs)

Tackles – Tyrel Dodson (11 tackles, 7 solos, 4 assists, 1.5 TFL)

 

ULM/TEXAS A&M SERIES NOTES –

Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Texas A&M. The Aggies lead the all-time series 3-0, with all of the games played in College Station.

 

WARHAWKS vs. SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS –

The Warhawks have compiled a 4-46-1 record (.088) against current members of the Southeastern Conference (1-2 vs. Alabama, 1-8 vs. Arkansas, 0-11 vs. Auburn, 0-2 vs. Florida, 0-4 vs. Georgia, 1-4 vs. Kentucky, 0-3 vs. LSU, 1-4-1 vs. Mississippi State, 0-1 vs. Missouri, 0-3 vs. Ole Miss, 0-1 vs. Tennessee and 0-3 vs. Texas A&M). ULM's last win over an SEC opponent came in the 2012 season opener against No. 8 Arkansas in Little Rock, 34-31, in overtime.

 

2012 ULM/ARKANSAS FLASHBACK (ULM's last win over an SEC opponent.) –

ULM 34, No. 8 Arkansas 31 (Sept. 8, 2012; Little Rock, Ark.): Quarterback Kolton Browning accounted for 481 total yards and four touchdowns, including a 16-yard TD run in overtime, to lead ULM to a 34-31 victory over No. 8 Arkansas in the 2012 season opener for both teams.

 

It marked ULM's first win over an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ranked opponent in school history. It also marked the first time a Sun Belt Conference member had defeated a Top-10 team.

 

The Warhawks trailed 28-7 in the third quarter before Browning led a furious comeback. The ULM defense also played a key role in the rally, holding the Razorbacks to 10 points and 108 total yards in the second half.

 

Jyruss Edwards finished off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run, as ULM pulled to within 28-14 with 5:41 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a 19-yard run by Browning on a fourth-down play.

 

The Warhawk defense forced Arkansas to go three-and-out on its next possession, thanks to an 18-yard sack by Ray Stovall.

 

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Browning tossed a 1-yard TD pass to tight end Kevin Steed on fourth down, as ULM cut its deficit to 28-21 with just under 15 minutes to play.

 

ULM started its game-tying TD drive from its own 10-yard line with 2:59 remaining in regulation. On fourth-and-10, Browning hooked up with Brent Leonard for a 23-yard scoring play as the Warhawks tied the game at 28 with 55 seconds remaining on the clock.

 

Arkansas' opening possession of overtime resulted in a 37-yard field goal and a 31-28 lead.

 

Faced with fourth-and-1 from the Razorback 16, ULM elected to forego a potential game-tying field-goal attempt. Browning scrambled 16 yards for the game-winning TD, diving head-first into the end zone.

 

Browning completed 42-of-67 passes for 412 yards and three TDs. He added 69 yards rushing and another score. His favorite target was Leonard, who had 11 receptions for 112 yards.

 

WARHAWKS FROM THE LONE STAR STATE –

ULM's 2018 roster features 41 players from Texas: red-shirt freshman linebacker Andy Becker (Liberty Hill), freshman wide receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (Katy / Seven Lakes), fifth-year senior cornerback Jarell Brown (Wylie), senior wide receiver Xavier Brown (Duncanville), red-shirt freshman wide receiver Perry Carter (Houston / St. Pius X), freshman cornerback Floyd Connell (Copperas Cove), red-shirt freshman tight end Cameron Darling (McKinney / McKinney Boyd), junior offensive lineman Trace Ellison (Frisco / Centennial), junior quarterback Caleb Evans (Mansfield / Bishop Dunne), red-shirt freshman wide receiver CJ Fletcher (Houston / Lamar), fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith (Plano / Plano Senior), sophomore safety Austin Hawley (Gladewater), red-shirt freshman kicker David Heaton (Humble / Atascocita), junior tight end Reagan Heddins (Grand Prairie / South Grand Prairie), fifth-year senior cornerback Marcus Hubbard (Rowlett / Sachse), red-shirt freshman Zachari Jackson (Grand Prairie / Mansfield Lake Ridge), freshman linebacker Keyshawn Johnson (Duncanville), junior offensive lineman Brandon Jones (Montgomery), sophomore safety Logan Latin (Houston / Lamar), freshman offensive lineman Blake Lodes (Mansfield / Lake Ridge), senior Markis McCray (Euless / Trinity), freshman kicker Jacob Meeks (Grand Prairie / Mansfield Lake Ridge), freshman safety Bacari Middleton (Grand Prairie), junior defensive end Sam Miller (Canton), junior offensive lineman Ben Moye (Garland / Sachse), freshman defensive end Brandon Nettles (Arlington, Texas / Lake Ridge), freshman cornerback Jordan Oliver (Richmond / Kempner), freshman offensive lineman Conner Parsons (Mansfield), freshman running back Isaiah Phillips (Lufkin), junior center Bobby Reynolds (Keller), junior defensive lineman Larance Shaw (Fort Worth / Crowley), sophomore defensive end Ty Shelby (Houston / Friendswood), senior tight end Sloan Spiller (Katy), freshman quarterback Colby Suits (Forney / North Forney), fifth-year senior safety Wesley Thompson (Tyler / Chapel Hill), fifth-year senior safety Collin Turner (Arlington / Martin), junior defensive lineman Jaylen Veasley (Rockwall), fifth-year senior defensive end Shaquille Warren (Tyler / Chapel Hill), sophomore linebacker Traveion Webster (Longview), sophomore quarterback Brennen Wooten (San Angelo / Central) and graduate kicker Matt Wylie (Dripping Springs).

 

NCAA STAT LEADERS –

Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2018:

 

Individual Statistics (Top 50 )

Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (13th with 25.0 completions per game)

Passing Yards: Caleb Evans (33rd with 541 passing yards)

Passing Yards Per Game: Caleb Evans (33rd at 270.5 passing yards per game

Passing Touchdowns: Caleb Evans (38th with 4 touchdown passes)

Receptions Per Game: Marcus Green (49th at 5.5 receptions per game)

Receiving Yards: Marcus Green (37th with 195 receiving yards)

Receiving Yards Per Game: Marcus Green (35th at 97.5 receiving yards per game)

Receiving Touchdowns: Marcus Green (3rd with 4 receiving touchdowns)

Total Offense: Caleb Evans (18th at 321.0 yards total offense per game)

Total Points Scored: Marcus Green (17th with 24 total points)

Scoring: Marcus Green (13th at 12.0 points per game)

Total Touchdowns: Marcus Green (10th with 4 total touchdowns)

Points Responsible For: Caleb Evans (34th with 32 points)

Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (39th with 16.0 points per game)

Kickoff Returns: Markis McCray (34th with 23.7 avg.)

Field Goals Per Game: Craig Ford (49th at 1.0 field goals made per game)

Sacks: Sam Miller (3rd at 1.5 sacks per game); Donald Louis Jr. (19th at 1.0 spg.)

Total Interceptions: Marcus Hubbard/Cortez Sisco Jr./Corey Straughter (20th with 1 interception)

Interceptions Per Game: Marcus Hubbard/Cortez Sisco Jr./Corey Straughter (25th at 0.5 interceptions per game)

Passes Defended: Marcus Hubbard/Kenderick Marbles (14th at 2.0 passes defended per game); Corey Straughter (38th at 1.5 passes defended per game)

Forced Fumbles: Donald Louis Jr./Sam Miller/Kerry Starks (21st at 0.5 forced fumbles per game)

Fumbles Recovered: Mason Husmann/Sam Miller (10th with 1 fumble recovered each)