ULM Warhawks

 
ULM Football Notes: Game 5 vs. Memphis

Digital Game Program
 
Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference
 
 
TICKET PROMOTIONS
Military Appreciation Day
Retired and active military present your I.D. and receive 2 complimentary general admission tickets to Saturday's game against No. 23-ranked Memphis (4-0). You're also eligible to purchase 2 additional tickets at a 20% discount. Thank you for your service to our country.
 
Single-Game Ticket Price Roll Back
For a limited time only, ticket prices for Saturday's game have been rolled back to the regular single-game price: $35 for lower chair, $25 for upper chair/lower bench and $15 for general admission.
 
On Saturday, tickets will be priced at the premium game rate: $40 for lower chair, $30 for upper chair/lower bench and $20 for general admission.
 
Order your tickets online here. 
 
Order tickets by phone: (318) 342-HAWK.
 
Fant-Ewing Ticket Office Hours: Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday 9-11:30 a.m.
 
Malone Stadium Ticket Office Hours: Friday 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m.-halftime.
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• No. 23 Memphis (4-0) becomes the first ranked opponent to visit Malone Stadium in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision era.
 
• Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Memphis, with the three previous games played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Tigers lead the all-time series 2-1, including a 37-29 victory over the Warhawks in the 2017 season opener.
 
• ULM's 2019 roster features one player from Greater Memphis: fifth-year senior linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. (DeSoto Central High School in Southaven, Miss.). Sisco, who leads the team in tackles with 34, recorded a career-high 13 stops in ULM's 30-17 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener.
 
• ULM ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 32 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing offense, averaging 211.3 yards per game. In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the league leaders in passing offense (fourth at 232.0 ypg.) and total offense (fourth at 443.3 ypg.).
 
• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in turnover margin (second at +0.5 per game), interceptions (tied for third with 5) and takeaways (tied for fourth with 7). In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in interceptions (tied for 25th).
 
• Junior Josh Johnson leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks eighth in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 119.8 yards per game. His 7.37 yards per carry ranks 11th in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (4) and scoring (24 points) while ranking second in explosive plays (7, 20-plus yard runs). He also hasn't been stopped for a loss in 65 rushing attempts.
 
Johnson rushed 15 times for 93 yards in the Sun Belt opener against South Alabama. His 49-yard run around right end midway through the first quarter set up ULM's first touchdown.
 
Johnson gained 87 yards on 14 attempts (6.2 avg.) at Iowa State, which entered the game with the nation's 10th-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 73.0 yards per game. He opened ULM's fifth offensive series with a 46-yard run around left end and later capped off a 12-play, 87-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run late in the second quarter. 
 
In his first career start, Johnson carried a career-high 26 times for 126 yards at Florida State, including a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. In the 2019 season opener against Grambling, he rushed 10 times for 173 yards, including TD runs of 51 and 37 yards.
 
• Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has completed 78-of-118 throws (.661) for 886 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in passing yards (third at 221.5 yards per game), total offense (third at 265.0 ypg.) and TD passes (tied for fourth with 8).
 
He accounted for 313 yards total offense and four TDs to lead ULM to a 30-17 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. Evans completed 17-of-25 throws for 286 yards, including TD strikes of 20 yards to Josh Pederson, 52 to Markis McCray and 21 to Jonathan Hodoh. It marked his second 200-yard passing game of the season and 18th in his career. He also rushed 11 times for 27 yards, including a 13-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter.
 
Evans accounted for 269 yards total offense and two scores at Iowa State. He ran 17 times for a game-high 93 yards, including a 40-yard scramble to set up ULM's first touchdown early in the second quarter. Evans hit 19-of-30 passes for 176 yards, including TD tosses of 19 yards to Pederson in the second quarter and 38 yards to Hodoh in the third quarter.
 
With his 10-yard completion to Brandius Batiste on the second play from scrimmage against the Cyclones, Evans became just the fifth quarterback in ULM history to reach the 7,000-yard career passing milestone, joining Kolton Browning (2010-13: 10,263 passing yards), Steven Jyles (2002-05: 8,987), John Holman (1979-82: 7,825) and Raymond Philyaw (1993-96: 7,061).
 
Evans accounted for 273 yards total offense and four touchdowns in ULM's 45-44 overtime loss at Florida State. After starting 0-for-7 passing, Evans finished 23-of-38 for 241 yards, including scoring strikes of 33 yards to Pederson in the second quarter and 2 yards to Xavier Brown in the fourth quarter. He also rushed 10 times for 32 yards, including TD runs of 10 and 5 yards. Evans led ULM on four-consecutive scoring drives (three TDs and a field goal) during one stretch in the second half, as the Warhawks rallied from a 21-0 deficit in the second quarter to send the game into overtime tied at 38.
 
Evans has started 26 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.
 
The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 596-of-980 passes (.608) for 7,457 yards, 45 TDs and 26 interceptions in 35 career games. Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 5 in pass completions (third), completion percentage (second), passing efficiency rating (third at 134.6), total offense (third with 9,005 career yards), passing yards (fourth), pass attempts (fifth) and TD passes (fifth).
 
• A key to Caleb Evans' throwing success throughout his career has been his ability to utilize all of the weapons at his disposal in ULM's one-back offense. This season, four Warhawks have at least 11 receptions, including Josh Pederson (16 for 201 yards), Markis McCray (15 for 181), Xavier Brown (14 for 171) and Jonathan Hodoh (11 for 133).
 
• Junior linebacker Rashaad Harding, who set career highs for tackles (10), tackles for loss (2.5 for 8 yards) and sacks (2 for 7 yards) in ULM's 30-17 victory over South Alabama in the league opener for both teams, has been selected Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.
 
• Sophomore Jared Porter averaged 42.2 yards on five punts against South Alabama, including a career-best four kicks downed inside the USA 20-yard line. Porter matched his career long with a 52-yard punt that was downed at the Jaguar 6 midway through the third quarter. With his ball placement, USA started drives at its own 10, 6, 10 and 14.
 
Porter also accounted for six points in the Sun Belt opener against the Jaguars, hitting his only field-goal attempt from 22 yards and 3-of-4 extra-point tries.
 
A native of Redlands, California, Porter ranks third in the league and No. 36 in the NCAA FBS, averaging 43.9 yards per punt.
 
STAT LEADERS –
Memphis (after four games):
Rushing – Kenneth Gainwell (62 carries for 411 yards, 6.6 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – Brady White (66 of 90 for 914 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Damonte Coxie (18 catches for 278 yards, 15.4 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Sanchez Blake (23 tackles, 17 solos, 6 assists, 1 INT)
 
ULM (after four games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (65 carries for 479 yards, 7.4 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – Caleb Evans (78 of 118 for 886 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (16 catches for 201 yards, 12.6 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Cortez Sisco Jr. (34 tackles, 12 solos, 22 assists, 1 QB hurry, 1 PBU)
 
ULM/MEMPHIS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Memphis, with the three previous games played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Tigers lead the all-time series 2-1, including a 37-29 victory over the Warhawks in the 2017 season opener.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Memphis 37, ULM 29 (Aug. 31, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn.): Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor combined to rush 27 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 37-29 victory over ULM in the 2017 season opener for both teams.
 
Trailing 30-7 midway through the third quarter, ULM scored TDs on three of its last four possessions to make for a very entertaining fourth quarter.
 
The Warhawks and Tigers committed a combined six turnovers, as both teams struggled to manage the challenging weather conditions, created by the remnants of Hurricane Harvey. The game was played during periods of torrential rain and wind gusts from 14-21 mph. Memphis failed to score any points off four ULM miscues.
 
The game started with a bang, as ULM's Markis McCray returned the opening kickoff 32 yards but fumbled on a hit by Tim Hart that David Moore recovered for the Tigers at the Warhawk 45-yard line.
 
The ULM defense responded to the sudden-change situation, allowing just 11 yards on the first six plays, forcing Memphis to punt from the Warhawk 34.
 
The Warhawks went three-and-out on their first offensive series, and Taylor brought the home crowd to their feet as he scored on a career-long 66-yard run with 10:43 left in the first quarter.
 
Quarterback Garrett Smith came off the ULM bench to direct a game-tying scoring drive. Derrick Gore capped off a nine-play, 97-yard march with a 14-yard TD run around left end with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. Smith accounted for 59 yards on the series, including three rushes for 15 yards and two completions for 44 yards, including a 43-yard strike to R.J. Turner.
 
Memphis answered on its next possession, as Riley Ferguson's 20-yard completion to Joey Magnifico set up a first-and-goal from the ULM 1. Three plays later, Ferguson scored on a 2-yard keeper around right end, as the Tigers regained the lead at 13-7 (2-point rushing attempt failed).
 
The Tigers extended their led to 20-7 on Henderson's 55-yard TD run with 9:11 to play in the second quarter.
 
The Warhawk offense came to life again late in the first half. On a third-and-8 play, Smith connected with McCray for a 46-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal at the Memphis 4. Two plays later, Gore fumbled while being dropped for a 3-yard loss by Curtis Akins (Jonathan Wilson recovered).
 
The teams traded turnovers on the next two series. ULM safety Collin Turner intercepted Ferguson's first-down pass attempt and returned it 18 yards to the Memphis 31. Two plays later, the Warhawks lost their third fumble of the first half, as Smith coughed up the ball after being thrown for a 4-yard loss.
 
Memphis gained 247 of its 319 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes and took a 20-7 lead into the locker room.
 
Tony Pollard returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a score as Memphis moved out to a 27-7 lead 17 seconds into the third quarter.
 
The Tigers put together an 11-play, 71-yard drive and pushed their lead to 30-7 on Spencer Smith's 20-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the third quarter.
 
ULM starter Caleb Evans engineered an impressive 16-play, 68-yard drive, including two third-down conversions and another on fourth down. Kayin White scored his first career TD on a 2-yard run, as the Warhawks pulled to within 30-14 with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
 
Memphis appeared to regain control of the game when Henderson raced around left end then cut back across the field for a 63-yard TD run and a 37-14 advantage with 13 seconds left in the third.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, Smith completed 7-of-11 passes for 76 yards during a 15-play, 84-yard scoring drive. On a fourth-and-15 play, Smith hooked up with Marcus Green for a 16-yard scoring play, as ULM cut its deficit to 37-21 with 5:21 on the clock.
 
The Tigers next possession resulted in a lost fumble as Ferguson couldn't handle a high snap, and Derion Ford recovered at the ULM 34.
 
With Evans back under center, the Warhawks managed to make it a one score game in the final 40 seconds. Evans jump-started the drive with a 14-yard run, then hit 5-of-7 throws for 52 yards, including a 6-yard TD toss to Xavier Brown. He followed that up with a 2-point pass to Brian Williams in the right flat.
 
ULM's comeback bid ended when Evan Michael recovered the on-side kick attempt.
 
The ULM defense played a key role in the second-half comeback, limiting the Tigers to just six first downs and 72 rushing yards.
 
The Warhawks produced 17 first downs and 246 total yards in the second half. ULM outgained Memphis in total yards, 425-416, while converting 7-of-10 on third downs and going a perfect 2-for-2 on fourth downs. The Warhawks possessed the ball for 21:02 in the second half.
 
Smith completed 10-of-17 throws for 171 yards with one score and one interception, while Evans connected on 11-of-20 passes for 108 yards and one TD. Smith accounted for 219 yards total offense, including 12 rushes for a team-best 48 yards.
 
Brown led the Warhawk receiving corps with five catches for 41 yards and a score, while McCray produced a career-high 172 all-purpose yards (three receptions for 35 yards; four kickoff returns for 103 yards).
 
Safety Luke Hedrick recorded a team-best six tackles (all solos) while nose tackle Tyler Johnson contributed five solo stops, including one for a 6-yard loss. Starting boundary corner JJ Dallas posted four tackles and a pass break-up in his ULM debut.
 
WARHAWKS vs. AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OPPONENTS –
ULM has compiled a 4-14 record (.222) against current members of the American Athletic Conference (0-5 vs. Cincinnati, 1-1 vs. East Carolina, 1-2 vs. Memphis, 1-3 vs. Tulane and 1-3 vs. Tulsa).
 
P-40 WARHAWK SERIES UNIFORM –
On Military Appreciation Day, it's only fitting ULM will don its P-40 series alternate uniform. The Curtiss P-40 Warhawks constituted the principal armament of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAFF) fighter squadrons in the early 1940s. In the summer of 1941, Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, who grew up in Louisiana, began recruiting and training pilots for the American Volunteer Group, who became known as the "Flying Tigers" in China during World War II.
 
The P-40 Warhawk served as inspiration for ULM's new nickname/mascot, adopted in 2006. The P-40 uniform series incorporates details of the fighter into its design. Saturday's game against Memphis marks the fifth time ULM has worn the P-40 series uniform (2015: vs. Nicholls State and Georgia Southern; 2017: vs. Southern Miss); 2018: vs. Georgia Southern).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 30, South Alabama 17 (Sept. 28, 2017, in Monroe, La.): The big scoreboard at Malone Stadium wasn't always fully functional on Saturday night as ULM opened Sun Belt Conference play against South Alabama.
 
While some of the bells and whistles weren't operational, the scoreboard numbers that mattered most were in full display for the home crowd of 16,222 as ULM posted a 30-17 win.
 
Indeed, ULM (2-2, 1-1) shook off a lopsided loss last week at Iowa State to get conference play started right.
 
ULM quarterback Caleb Evans completed 17-of-25 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns and added another score on the ground. Josh Johnson ran for 93 yards on 15 carries while Josh Pederson, Markis McCray and Jonathan Hodoh all had touchdown grabs.
 
ULM's defense had a hard time corralling South Alabama running back Tra Minter, who rushed for 150 yards on 19 carries. The Jaguars (1-4, 0-1) gained 268 of their 377 yards on the ground on 78 offensive plays.
 
Led by linebacker Cortez Sisco's career-high 13 tackles, the Warhawks offset South Alabama's running success by holding the Jags to 4-of-16 on third-down conversions, registering four sacks and picking off the quarterback Cephus Johnson in the end zone.
 
The Jaguars made an early statement by taking their first offensive possession 90 yards in 12 plays. Cephus Johnson, who rushed for 40 yards on the march, punched it in from 3 yards for a 7-0 USA lead with 7:39 left in the first quarter.  
 
Josh Johnson jumpstarted ULM's offense with a 49-yard run, setting up a 20-yard touchdown pass from Evans to Pederson to tie the game at 7-7. ULM moved 75 yards in four plays for the score with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Minter's 40-yard run put South Alabama in the red zone again as the first quarter ended. But cornerback Corey Straughter intercepted Johnson in the end zone for a timely ULM takeaway. Straughter has interceptions in three-straight games.
 
ULM took advantage of the turnaround with a methodical 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by Jared Porter's 22-yard field goal, to go up 10-7 with 9:34 to go in the second quarter.
 
After another defensive stand, the Warhawks popped a big play as McCray scored on a 52-yard reception from Evans. ULM covered 72 yards in four plays to go ahead 17-7 with 4:12 remaining in the half.    
 
Although ULM finished the first half with 17 unanswered points, Matt Viator left the field imploring his team to stick to running the ball more and be stingier against the run on defense. USA outrushed ULM 177-76 in the first half.
 
After the teams traded punts to open the second half, South Alabama narrowed the margin to 17-10 on a 21-yard field goal by Frankie Onate with 8:27 showing in the third quarter.
 
The Warhawks could muster little on offense through most of the third quarter, gaining just 45 yards with two first downs and three punts.
 
However, ULM was moving as the fourth quarter started and finished a 61-yard, nine-play drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Evans to Hodoh. Evans converted a clutch 12-yard pass to Pederson on fourth-and-7 to the USA 21 to keep the march going. While Porter missed the PAT, ULM extended the lead to 23-10 with 13:00 left in the game.
 
On the scoring drive that basically sealed the win for the Warhawks, Brandius Batiste made a 31-yard catch on third-and-15 and a 13-yard snag on fourth-and-4. Evans scored on a 13-yard dash to put ULM ahead 30-10 with 7:02 left in the game.
 
Evans distributed the ball to seven different targets during the contest.
 
Cephus Johnson's 8-yard run with 4:02 remaining accounted for the final margin, 30-17.
 
EVANS REACHES 7,000-YARD CAREER PASSING MILESTONE –
Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has completed 78-of-118 throws (.661) for 886 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in passing yards (third at 221.5 yards per game), total offense (third at 265.0 ypg.) and TD passes (tied for fourth with 8).
 
He accounted for 313 yards total offense and four TDs to lead ULM to a 30-17 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. Evans completed 17-of-25 throws for 286 yards, including TD strikes of 20 yards to Josh Pederson, 52 to Markis McCray and 21 to Jonathan Hodoh. It marked his second 200-yard passing game of the season and 18th in his career. He also rushed 11 times for 27 yards, including a 13-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter.
 
Evans accounted for 269 yards total offense and two scores at Iowa State. He ran 17 times for a game-high 93 yards, including a 40-yard scramble to set up ULM's first touchdown early in the second quarter. Evans hit 19-of-30 passes for 176 yards, including TD tosses of 19 yards to Pederson in the second quarter and 38 yards to Hodoh in the third quarter.
 
With his 10-yard completion to Brandius Batiste on the second play from scrimmage against the Cyclones, Evans became just the fifth quarterback in ULM history to reach the 7,000-yard career passing milestone, joining Kolton Browning (2010-13: 10,263 passing yards), Steven Jyles (2002-05: 8,987), John Holman (1979-82: 7,825) and Raymond Philyaw (1993-96: 7,061).
 
Evans accounted for 273 yards total offense and four touchdowns in ULM's 45-44 overtime loss at Florida State. After starting 0-for-7 passing, Evans finished 23-of-38 for 241 yards, including scoring strikes of 33 yards to Pederson in the second quarter and 2 yards to Xavier Brown in the fourth quarter. He also rushed 10 times for 32 yards, including TD runs of 10 and 5 yards. Evans led ULM on four-consecutive scoring drives (three TDs and a field goal) during one stretch in the second half, as the Warhawks rallied from a 21-0 deficit in the second quarter to send the game into overtime tied at 38.
 
Evans has started 26 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.
 
The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 596-of-980 passes (.608) for 7,457 yards, 45 TDs and 26 interceptions in 35 career games. Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 5 in pass completions (third), completion percentage (second), passing efficiency rating (third at 134.6), total offense (third with 9,005 career yards), passing yards (fourth), pass attempts (fifth) and TD passes (fifth).
 
JOHNSON RANKS EIGHTH IN THE NCAA FBS IN RUSHING –
Junior Josh Johnson leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks eighth in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 119.8 yards per game. His 7.37 yards per carry ranks 11th in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (4) and scoring (24 points) while ranking second in explosive plays (7, 20-plus yard runs). He also hasn't been stopped for a loss in 65 rushing attempts.
 
He rushed 15 times for 93 yards in the Sun Belt opener against South Alabama. His 49-yard run around right end midway through the first quarter set up ULM's first touchdown.
 
Johnson gained 87 yards on 14 attempts (6.2 avg.) at Iowa State, which entered the game with the nation's 10th-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 73.0 yards per game. He opened ULM's fifth offensive series with a 46-yard run around left end and later capped off a 12-play, 87-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run late in the second quarter. 
 
In his first career start, Johnson carried a career-high 26 times for 126 yards at Florida State, including a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. He broke runs of 22, 14 and 19 yards against the Seminoles.
 
In the 2019 season opener against Grambling, he rushed 10 times for 173 yards, including TD runs of 51 and 37 yards. On his first carry of the season, Johnson scored on a 51-yard run up the middle as the Warhawks jumped out to a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. He iced the game with a 37-yard TD run around left end early in the third quarter. Six of his 10 carries against the Tigers resulted in either a TD or first down.
 
A native of Opelika, Alabama, Johnson gained 69 yards on 19 carries and scored one rushing TD in nine games last season.
 
PEDERSON EMERGES AS PLAYMAKER IN PASSING GAME –
Junior tight end Josh Pederson leads ULM in receptions (16), receiving yards (201) and touchdown receptions (3; tied with Brown). His totals in those three categories all represent career highs. Twelve of his 16 receptions (75 percent) have resulted in either a first down or a TD.
 
Pederson has caught a TD pass in each of his last three games (at Florida State, at Iowa State and vs. South Alabama).
 
He had a team-high four receptions for 55 yards in the Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama, including a 20-yard TD grab from Caleb Evans that tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter.
 
The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Pederson has been named to the Pro Football Focus Sun Belt Conference Offensive Team of the Week following back-to-back games at Florida State and Iowa State. He hauled in three passes for 40 yards at Iowa State, including a 19-yard TD grab from Evans to put ULM on the scoreboard early in the second quarter.
 
Pederson set career highs for receptions (6) and receiving yards (85) at Florida State, including a season-long 33-yard TD catch from Evans late in the first half.
 
NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2019:
 
Individual Statistics (Top 50 )
Rushing Yards: Josh Johnson (16th with 479 rushing yards)
Rushing Yards Per Game: Josh Johnson (8th at 119.8 rushing yards per game)
Rushing Yards Per Carry: Josh Johnson (11th at 7.37 rushing yards per carry)
Rushing Touchdowns: Josh Johnson (33rd with 4 rushing touchdowns)
Pass Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (48th with 19.5 completions per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Caleb Evans (34th at .661)
Passing Efficiency: Caleb Evans (50th with a 148.2 rating)
Passing Touchdowns: Caleb Evans (40th with 8 passing touchdowns)
Total Offense: Caleb Evans (43rd at 265.0 yards per game)
Points Responsible For: Caleb Evans (29th with 66 points)
Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (22nd at 16.5 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Josh Johnson (33rd at 120.5 all-purpose yards per game)
Punting: Jared Porter (36th at 43.9 yards per punt)
Interceptions: Corey Straughter (t-1st with 3 interceptions); Chase Day (14th with 2 INTs)
Passes Defended: Corey Straughter (25th at 1.3 passes defended per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Jordan Oliver/Ty Shelby (t-25th with 1 fumble recovery each)
 
WARHAWKS FEATURED ON PRESEASON WATCH LISTS FOR FOUR NATIONAL AWARDS –
Three ULM players – quarterback Caleb Evans, offensive guard T.J. Fiailoa and center Bobby Reynolds – combined for mentions on four different preseason watch lists for national awards.
 
Evans is listed on the preseason watch lists for both the Manning Award (presented to the nation's top quarterback after postseason bowl games) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation's top senior of fourth-year junior quarterback). Fiailoa is featured on the preseason watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year while Reynolds is mentioned on the fall watch list for the Rimington Trophy (nation's most outstanding center).
 
ULM BOASTS ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINES –
Right tackle Eastwood Thomas (38 career starts), center Bobby Reynolds (32), right guard T.J. Fiailoa (23) and left tackle Trace Ellison (21) have combined for 114 career starts.
 
Heading into the 2019 season, those four returning starters had combined for 98 career starts, giving ULM one of the nation's most experienced offensive lines (tied for 15th with Syracuse in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision). That combined total also marked the third highest in the Sun Belt Conference, trailing only ULL (131) and Texas State (110).
 
SEASON-OPENING STARTING LINEUP FEATURED FOUR FIRST-TIME STARTERS –
ULM's starting lineup for the 2019 season opener against Grambling State featured four first-time starters, including one on the offensive side of the football, two on defense and one specialist.
 
The first-time starter on offense was left guard Brandon Jones (6-3, 320, Sr.). The first-time starters on defense included BUCK safety Keilos Swinney (6-1, 193, Jr.) and boundary corner Josh Newton (5-10, 188, R-Fr.). Jacob Meeks (6-2, 192, So.) also made his debut as the starting placekicker.
 
EIGHT GRADUATES LISTED ON 2019 ULM FOOTBALL ROSTER –
Eight members of the 2019 ULM football team already have earned their bachelor's degrees: wide receiver Xavier Brown, long snapper Walker Easton, wide receiver Jonathan Hodoh, quarterback JT Jackson, defensive end Donald Louis Jr., offensive tackle Eastwood Thomas, defensive lineman John Washington and offensive tackle Samuel Williams.
 
Those eight student-athletes wear a Sun Belt Conference graduate patch on their jersey.
 
ULM LED NCAA FBS IN LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN HOME ATTENDANCE –
ULM's average home attendance increased by 43.1 percent in 2018 – the largest percentage gain among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The Warhawks' average home attendance increased by 4,282 fans per game to 14,210 last season, compared to 9,928 per game in 2017.
 
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; 40 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 ULL, 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): 9 by Grambling, 2019