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ULM Battles Sun Belt West Division Rival A-State on Homecoming

ULM Battles Sun Belt West Division Rival A-State on Homecoming

Football Oct 30
Game 8: Arkansas State (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (3-4, 2-1 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 2 | 2:32 p.m. | ESPNU
Monroe, La. | Malone Stadium (30,000)
 
ULM Football Notes: Game 8 vs. Arkansas State

Digital Game Program
 
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Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 41st meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 26-14, including a 10-9 record in games played in Monroe, Louisiana. Arkansas State has won nine in a row and 10 out of the last 12 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium.
 
With 40 previous meetings, Arkansas State ranks fifth among ULM's all-time opponents in games played, trailing only the Ragin' Cajuns (54), Northwestern State (48), Louisiana Tech and McNeese State (43 each). The ULM-A-State series began in 1959.
 
• Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-25-1 (.625) in 68 Homecoming games, including a 1-1 record against Arkansas State. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 18 Homecoming contests.
 
ULM last played host to Arkansas State for its Homecoming game on Oct. 28, 1989. The Warhawks got a pair of field goals from Rob Tallent (39 yards in the second quarter and 29 yards in the third quarter) and Jeff Steele returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as ULM won a defensive struggle 13-7 over No. 18 Arkansas State before a Homecoming crowd of 17,466. A-State's only touchdown came on Chris Collier's 14-yard run in the fourth quarter. ULM's defense held A-State to 210 total yards – nearly 220 yards below its season average. 
 
• ULM's five remaining opponents comprise the Sun Belt Conference's third-most difficult schedule down the stretch, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' future opponents have a combined record of 22-15 (.595).
 
• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in passing offense (fourth at 224.9 yards per game), rushing offense (fifth at 202.3 ypg.) and total offense (sixth at 427.1 ypg.). The Warhawks have rushed for 200-plus yards in four of the first seven games in 2019.
 
• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in takeaways (tied for first with 13), interceptions (first with 8) and turnover margin (tied for second at +0.29 per game). In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in interceptions (tied for 29th).
 
• ULM's 13 takeaways and eight interceptions have already exceeded the team's 2018 season totals (11 takeaways and 5 interceptions).
 
The ULM defense has recorded at least one takeaway in eight consecutive games, dating back to the 2018 season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns. The Warhawks have tallied multiple takeaways in five of the first seven games in 2019, forcing a season-high three turnovers at Florida State (2 interceptions and 1 fumble).
 
• Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has completed 128-of-214 throws (.598) for 1,472 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans has accounted for 1,835 yards total offense and 15 scores. He has thrown for more than 200 yards in three of his last four starts. Evans is listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in total offense (No. 35 at 262.1 yards per game). He also ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in total offense (third), passing yards (fourth at 210.3 yards per game) and TD passes (fourth with 10). Evans ranks second on the team in rushing yards (363) and rushing TDs (5).
 
He needs 220 yards total offense against Arkansas State to become the third quarterback in ULM history to reach the 10,000-yard career milestone (Kolton Browning, 2010-13: 11,808 career yards total offense; and Steven Jyles, 2002-05: 10,234).
 
A Top 20 finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Evans ranks as one of four NCAA FBS quarterbacks to post multiple games with at least two passing and two rushing TDs (at Florida State and vs. Memphis), joining Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts (3 games), Ohio State's Justin Fields (2) and Iowa State's Brock Purdy (2).
 
With his 29-yard completion to Markis McCray on the game-opening drive at No. 24 Appalachian State, Evans became just the third QB in school history to reach the 8,000-yard career passing milestone, joining Browning (2010-13: 10,263 career passing yards) and Jyles (2002-05: 8,987).
 
Evans has started 29 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.
 
The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 646-of-1,076 passes (.600) for 8,043 yards, 47 TDs and 29 interceptions in 38 career games. Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 5 in pass completions (third), passing yards (third), completion percentage (third), passing efficiency rating (third at 131.9), total offense (third with 9,780 career yards), pass attempts (fourth), TD passes (fifth) and passing yards per game (sixth at 211.7 ypg.).
 
• Junior Josh Johnson ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and 11th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing, averaging 112.7 yards per game. His 6.63 yards per carry ranks 14th in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (6) and scoring (36 points) while ranking second in explosive plays (8, 20-plus yard runs). He ranks tied for seventh in the NCAA FBS with five runs of 30-plus yards.
 
Johnson has been stopped for a loss only five times in 119 rushing attempts. He opened the season with 69 consecutive carries without being tackled in the backfield.
 
Against No. 23 Memphis, Johnson gained 119 yards on 19 carries. He opened the 2019 season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Grambling (10 rushes for 173 yards and 2 TDs) and at Florida State (26 for 126, TD).
 
• Junior tight end Josh Pederson leads ULM in receptions (26; tied with Markis McCray) and touchdown receptions (5) while ranking second in receiving yards (294). His totals in those three categories all represent career highs. Eighteen of his 26 receptions (69 percent) have resulted in either a first down or a TD.
 
Pederson caught a TD pass in four consecutive games during one stretch (at Florida State, at Iowa State, vs. South Alabama and vs. Memphis).
 
He had a career-high seven receptions for 82 yards against No. 23 Memphis, including TD catches of 6 and a season-long 36 yards from Caleb Evans. Six of his seven receptions resulted in either a first down or a score. Pederson also completed a 33-yard pass to Zach Jackson on ULM's final scoring drive against the Tigers.
 
• Fifth-year senior linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. leads the Warhawks in tackles with 60 (27 solos, 33 assists) and quarterback hurries (4; tied with Ty Shelby). He recorded double-figure tackles in back-to-back games against South Alabama (career-high 13 stops) and No. 23 Memphis (11). Sisco ranks fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.6 per game. The Memphis, Tennessee, native also ranks as ULM's active career leader in tackles with 218.
 
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
A-State Offense: 2 seniors, 4 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
A-State Defense: 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores
ULM Offense: 6 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore
ULM Defense: 4 seniors, 6 juniors, 1 freshman
 
STAT LEADERS –
A-State (after eight games):
Rushing – Marcel Murray (90 carries for 472 yards, 5.2 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Layne Hatcher (90 of 134 for 1,253 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Omar Bayless (60 catches for 1,070 yards, 17.8 avg., 12 TDs)
Tackles – Darreon Jackson (58 tackles, 37 solos, 21 assists, 2.0 TFL, 1 INT)
 
ULM (after seven games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (119 carries for 789 yards, 6.6 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing – Caleb Evans (128 of 214 for 1,472 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving – Markis McCray (26 catches for 327 yards, 12.6 avg., 1 TD); Josh Pederson (26 for 294, 11.3 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles – Cortez Sisco Jr. (60 tackles, 27 solos, 33 assists, 4 QB hurries, 2 PBUs)
 
ULM/A-STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 41st meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 26-14, including a 10-9 record in games played in Monroe, Louisiana. Arkansas State has won nine in a row and 10 out of the last 12 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium.
 
With 40 previous meetings, Arkansas State ranks fifth among ULM's all-time opponents in games played, trailing only the Ragin' Cajuns (54), Northwestern State (48), Louisiana Tech and McNeese State (43 each). The ULM-A-State series began in 1959.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Arkansas State 31, ULM 17 (Nov. 17, 2018, in Jonesboro, Ark.): Arkansas State snapped ULM's four-game winning streak and took down the Warhawks 31-17 at Centennial Bank Stadium.
 
The game certainly wasn't the same wild shootout as played in Monroe in 2017, when Arkansas State won 67-50 in a game that featured 58 first downs and 1,371 yards total offense.
 
Linebacker David Griffith led ULM with 12 tackles, including four tackles for losses. The Warhawks tallied 13 tackles for losses, with one sack by Ty Shelby.
 
The Red Wolves finished with 404 yards total offense, as quarterback Justice Hansen hit 21-of-27 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas State was 9-of-17 on third down and scored on three-of-three red-zone trips. Marcel Murray's 94 yards on 17 attempts led a ground game that gained 158 yards
 
In this matchup, ULM's offense never found a steady rhythm. The Warhawks gained just 276 yards on 54 plays with 58 yards on the ground. Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 17-of-28 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown but also tossed three interceptions.
 
Arkansas State cracked the end zone first on Hansen's 49-yard touchdown pass to Kirk Merritt with 4:41 to go in the first period.  
 
The Red Wolves then used favorable field position to extend their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter. After forcing a three-and-out that led to the Warhawks punting out of the end zone, Arkansas State started its fourth possession at the ULM 31. Eight plays and 22 yards later after a stiff defensive stand, Blake Grupe kicked a 26-yard field goal with 7:58 left in the first half.
 
The Warhawks punted three times and were stagnant on offense until putting together a six-play, 81-yard scoring drive late in the first half. Evans connected with Josh Pederson on a 34-yard touchdown strike with 5:25 showing in the second quarter to cap a strange series. One play earlier, Pederson was going in for a score on a similar call but had the ball stripped away near the goal line. An inadvertent whistle wiped out the play and gave ULM the ball and a first down. Evans came right back to his tight end to narrow the gap to 10-7.
 
Pederson finished with five receptions for 60 yards.
 
Arkansas State answered with a 12-play, 77-yard drive capped by Hansen's 7-yard touchdown pass to Merritt with 31 seconds left in the quarter. ULM was flagged for three personal fouls during the drive to aid the Red Wolves, who carried the 17-7 lead into the break.
 
Arkansas State outgained ULM, 248-120, in the first half and limited the Warhawks to just 3 yards rushing on eight attempts.
 
Momentum swung firmly in Arkansas State's favor on ULM's opening offensive series of the third quarter. With Evans under pressure, Justin Clifton picked off ULM's quarterback and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead with 11:58 remaining. 
ULM came back with a sense of urgency, scoring on a five-play, 53-yard drive that took 2:17 off the clock. Brandius Batiste set up the touchdown with a 41-yard kickoff return and Evans powered in for a 1-yard run to narrow the gap to 24-14.
 
The Warhawks made it a 7-point game on Craig Ford's 37-yard field goal with 5:23 left in the third quarter. ULM needed 10 plays to cover the 51-yard march to pull within 24-17.
 
The Red Wolves answered with a 9-play, 93-yard drive and moved ahead 31-17 on Hansen's 10-yard touchdown toss to Justin McInnis with 40 seconds remaining in the third.
 
THE LAST MEETING IN MALONE STADIUM –
Arkansas State 67, ULM 50 (Nov. 25, 2017, in Monroe, La.): 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.
 
WARHAWKS CELEBRATE 69TH HOMECOMING GAME –
Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-25-1 (.625) in 68 Homecoming games, including a 1-1 record against Arkansas State. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 18 Homecoming contests.
 
ULM last played host to Arkansas State for its Homecoming game on Oct. 28, 1989. The Warhawks got a pair of field goals from Rob Tallent (39 yards in the second quarter and 29 yards in the third quarter) and Jeff Steele returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as ULM won a defensive struggle 13-7 over No. 18 Arkansas State before a Homecoming crowd of 17,466. A-State's only touchdown came on Chris Collier's 14-yard run in the fourth quarter.
 
ULM's defense held A-State to 210 total yards – nearly 220 yards below its season average. The Warhawks recorded three takeaways, including interceptions from Frank Shelvin and Hiram Porter. The ULM got 11 tackles each from Spencer Ellison, John Miles and Mack Dellafossee.
 
Doug Pederson completed 21-of-26 throws for 149 yards, but the Warhawk offense managed just 13 first downs and 239 yards total offense.
 
Miscellaneous Homecoming Stats
ULM Longest Winning Streak: 4 (1981-84; 1996-99; and 2007-10)
ULM Longest Losing Streak: 5 (1961-65)
Highest Scoring Game (Combined Points): 99 (2002: 2OT – ULM 51, Utah State 48)
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE NATURAL STATE –
ULM's 2019 roster features six players from the state of Arkansas, including sophomore cornerback Tajhnick Bishop (Ashdown), fifth-year senior safety Nick Ingram (Little Rock/Maumelle High School), freshman defensive lineman Kevin Pointer (Jonesboro/Jonesboro Senior), freshman running back Kaydyn Roach (Magnolia), red-shirt freshman defensive tackle Dayonte Roberts (Cabot) and junior offensive tackle Samuel Williams (Fordyce/Bearden).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT –
No. 24 Appalachian State 52, ULM 7 (Oct. 19, 2019, in Boone, N.C.): ULM faltered in its first-place showdown with No. 24 Appalachian State.
 
The Mountaineers (6-0, 3-0 Sun Belt) scored on their first four possessions, rolled up 572 yards of total offense and cruised to a 52-7 win over the Warhawks (3-4, 2-1) at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
 
Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 9-of-19 passes for 75 yards with an interception in a short outing before ULM inserted backup Colby Suits to finish up with the score out of hand. Running back Josh Johnson rushed for 75 yards on 13 attempts before his third-quarter exit as ULM's reserve players saw extended action through the second half.
 
On a chilly, rainy day, the Warhawks managed just 213 yards of offense in the game. Third-down conversions were a notable statistic as ULM was 2 of 13 and App State 13 of 18. The Mountaineers had 27 first downs, compared to nine for the Warhawks.
 
App State running back Darrynton Evans gained 136 yards and scored one touchdown as the Mountaineers rushed for 302 yards. Evans also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Zac Thomas, who threw for 214 yards and three scores. App State was six-for- six scoring in the red zone.
 
The early leader in the Sun Belt's West Division, ULM got off to a promising start, then fell in a deep hole in an action-packed first quarter.
 
The Warhawks made a statement with their opening drive as they marched 82 yards in 12 plays to take the early 7-0 lead. Kayin White powered in a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:09 remaining in the first quarter.
      
On their third offensive play, App State's Evans dashed 59 yards to tie the score at 7-7. It was his third run of 50-plus yards this season and 11th TD.
      
After forcing a punt, the Mountaineers scored on a second-straight possession with a 12-play, 76-yard drive. Thomas found Thomas Hennigan in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard TD to give App State a 14-7 lead with 4:46 left in the first quarter.
 
The game took a turn for the worse for the Warhawks as App State recovered a Johnson fumble and returned it 24 yards to the ULM 24. Five plays later, Thomas walked into the end zone for a 1-yard score that gave the home team a 21-7 advantage with 1:19 showing in the opening quarter.
      
App St. scored on a fourth-straight series as Chandler Staton booted a 27-yard field goal to end a 10-play, 75-yard drive with 11:14 left in the second quarter.
 
The Mountaineers extended the lead to 31-7 as Thomas flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Collin Reed with 1:19 to go in the half.
 
In the first half, App State outgained ULM, 376-169, in total yardage while converting seven-of-nine third-down opportunities.
 
The narrative didn't change after intermission.
      
App State's opening drive of the second half covered 75 yards in 12 plays and chewed almost six minutes off the clock. Evans scored his second TD for the Mountaineers on a 15-yard pass from Zac Thomas to increase the lead to 38-7.
 
The Mountaineers led 45-7 after Marcus Williams Jr. scored App State's third rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a 1-yard run with 12:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
A 56-yard touchdown pass from App State's back-up quarterback Jacob Huesman to Jalen Virgil closed out the scoring at 52-7.
 
ULM FACES THE SUN BELT'S THIRD-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE DOWN THE STRETCH –
ULM's five remaining opponents comprise the Sun Belt Conference's third-most difficult schedule down the stretch, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' future opponents have a combined record of 22-15 (.595).
 
EVANS APPROACHES ANOTHER CAREER MILESTONE: 10,000 YARDS TOTAL OFFENSE –
Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has completed 128-of-214 throws (.598) for 1,472 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans has accounted for 1,835 yards total offense and 15 scores. He has thrown for more than 200 yards in three of his last four starts. Evans is listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in total offense (No. 35 at 262.1 yards per game). He also ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in total offense (third), passing yards (fourth at 210.3 yards per game) and TD passes (fourth with 10). Evans ranks second on the team in rushing yards (363) and rushing TDs (5).
 
He needs 220 yards total offense against Arkansas State to become the third quarterback in ULM history to reach the 10,000-yard career milestone (Kolton Browning, 2010-13: 11,808 career yards total offense; and Steven Jyles, 2002-05: 10,234).
 
A Top 20 finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Evans ranks as one of four NCAA FBS quarterbacks to post multiple games with at least two passing and two rushing TDs (at Florida State and vs. Memphis), joining Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts (3 games), Ohio State's Justin Fields (2) and Iowa State's Brock Purdy (2).
 
With his 29-yard completion to Markis McCray on the game-opening drive at No. 24 Appalachian State, Evans became just the third QB in school history to reach the 8,000-yard career passing milestone, joining Browning (2010-13: 10,263 career passing yards) and Jyles (2002-05: 8,987).
 
He recorded his fourth 200-yard passing game of the season and 20th of his career in ULM's 24-14 victory at Texas State, hitting 18-of-33 passes for 225 yards with one interception. Evans completed throws to eight different receivers, including four 20-plus yard gains.
 
He accounted for 398 yards total offense and four touchdowns in ULM's 52-33 loss to No. 23 Memphis. Evans connected on 23-of-44 throws for 286 yards and two scores. He completed passes to nine different receivers, including TD strikes of 6 and 36 yards to tight end Josh Pederson. Evans also posted his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and fourth of his career, gaining 112 yards on 18 carries. He scored on runs of 7 and 45 yards.
 
Evans 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. He completed 17-of-25 throws for 286 yards, including TD strikes of 20 yards to Pederson, 52 to McCray and 21 to Jonathan Hodoh. 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.
 
He 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. Evans also rushed 10 times for 32 yards, including TD runs of 10 and 5 yards. He 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 29 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.
 
The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 646-of-1,076 passes (.600) for 8,043 yards, 47 TDs and 29 interceptions in 38 career games. Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 5 in pass completions (third), passing yards (third), completion percentage (third), passing efficiency rating (third at 131.9), total offense (third with 9,780 career yards), pass attempts (fourth), TD passes (fifth) and passing yards per game (sixth at 211.7 ypg.).
 
EVANS RANKS AMONG ACTIVE NCAA FBS STAT LEADERS –
Senior quarterback Caleb Evans ranks among the active NCAA Football Subdivision leaders (Top 25) in 11 different statistical categories: fourth among 14 quarterbacks with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards (9,780), seventh in total offense (9,780), ninth in pass completions (646), ninth in pass attempts (1,076), 10th in passing yards (8,043), 10th in total touchdowns responsible for (76), 12th in total offense per game (257.4), 12th in rushing touchdowns (29), 18th in passing yards per game (211.7), 21st in total offense yards per play (6.61) and 25th in total TDs scored (29).
 
EVANS REWRITES ULM RECORD BOOK –
Senior Caleb Evans ranks as ULM's all-time leader in rushing yards (1,737) and rushing touchdowns (29) for a quarterback.
 
It took Evans just three seasons to set the career record for rushing TDs (24) by a Warhawk quarterback, breaking the mark previously held by Steven Jyles (21; 2002-05). With 27 yards against South Alabama (1,548 career rushing yards) in the 2019 Sun Belt Conference opener, he became ULM's all-time top rushing QB, eclipsing the record previously held by Kolton Browning (1,545; 2010-12).
 
Evans needs to reach the end zone one more time to tie the school record for career rushing TDs, currently held by former running back Calvin Dawson (30; 2004-07).
 
JOHNSON RANKS 11TH IN THE NCAA FBS IN RUSHING –
Junior Josh Johnson ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and 11th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing, averaging 112.7 yards per game. His 6.63 yards per carry ranks 14th in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (6) and scoring (36 points) while ranking second in explosive plays (8, 20-plus yard runs). He ranks tied for seventh in the NCAA FBS with five runs of 30-plus yards.
 
Johnson has been stopped for a loss only five times in 119 rushing attempts. He opened the season with 69 consecutive carries without being tackled in the backfield.
 
Johnson led the Warhawks in rushing for the sixth time in seven games with 77 yards on 13 attempts at No. 24 Appalachian State. He broke runs of 15 and 18 yards against the Mountaineers.
 
Johnson recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 22 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns in ULM's 24-14 victory at Texas State Thursday night. Johnson scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards as the Warhawks built a 14-0 advantage. His two rushing TDs matched his career high. He had five gains of 10 or more yards, including a 21-yard burst in the third quarter.
 
Against No. 23 Memphis, Johnson gained 119 yards on 19 carries, including a 31-yard run around right end on ULM's second offensive series that helped set up a field goal.
 
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 & STRAUGHTER NAMED PFF MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICANS –
Tight end Josh Pederson and cornerback Corey Straughter have been named second-team Midseason All-Americans by Pro Football Focus.
 
Pederson leads ULM in receptions (26; tied with Markis McCray) and touchdown receptions (5) while ranking second in receiving yards (294). His totals in those three categories all represent career highs. Eighteen of his 26 receptions (69 percent) have resulted in either a first down or a TD, and his four explosive catches (20-plus yards) rank second on the team.
 
Pederson caught a TD pass in four consecutive games during one stretch (at Florida State, at Iowa State, vs. South Alabama and vs. Memphis).
 
He had a career-high seven receptions for 82 yards against No. 23 Memphis, including TD catches of 6 and a season-long 36 yards from Caleb Evans. Six of his seven receptions resulted in either a first down or a score. Pederson also completed a 33-yard pass to Zach Jackson on ULM's final scoring drive against the Tigers.
 
The Morristown, N.J., native 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 Evans that tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter.
 
The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Pederson was 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 had six receptions for a career-best 85 receiving yards at Florida State, including a 33-yard TD catch from Evans late in the first half.
 
A 5-10, 180-pound junior, Straughter ranks among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in interceptions (tied for fifth with 4) and passes defended (tied for 16th with 10). He leads the Sun Belt in both categories. The Monroe, Louisiana, native also has contributed 14 tackles (11 solos, 3 assists). Straughter has not allowed an explosive pass play (20-plus yards) or surrendered a touchdown reception in 2019. Through Week 7, he had allowed a 0.0 passer rating – the best mark at the NCAA FBS level, according to Pro Football Focus.
 
Earlier this season, Straughter recorded an interception in three consecutive games (back-to-back road games at Florida State and Iowa State and the Sun Belt opener against South Alabama).
 
He has been selected to the PFF Sun Belt Conference Defensive Team of the Week twice this season: against South Alabama and at Texas State.
 
His interception and 25-yard return to the Texas State 2-yard line in the final 90 seconds iced ULM's 24-14 win over the Bobcats. Straughter also recorded a career-high four pass break-ups and a solo tackle at Texas State.
 
He limited Memphis' leading receiver Damonte Coxie (entered the game with 18 catches for 278 yards and TD) to just two receptions for 18 yards.
 
With the score tied at 7-7 early in the second quarter of ULM's Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama, Straughter ended an 11-play, 62-yard drive to the Warhawk 13 by intercepting Cephus Johnson's third-and-goal pass attempt into the end zone. He added two tackles against the Jaguars.
 
He matched his season high with four tackles (all solo hits) to go along with an interception at Iowa State.
 
With ULM trailing Florida State 24-7 midway through the third quarter, the complexion of the game changed when Straughter intercepted James Blackman's first-down pass attempt along the sideline and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. It marked his second career interception return for a score. Straughter also tallied four stops against the Seminoles.
 
DAY APPROACHES 200 CAREER TACKLES MILESTONE –
Fifth-year senior linebacker Chase Day needs three stops against Arkansas State Saturday to reach the 200-career tackles milestone. Only classmate Cortez Sisco Jr. has recorded more career tackles (218) among active Warhawks.
 
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Day ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 32 (13 solos, 19 assists), fourth in tackles for loss (3 for 10 yards) and second in interceptions (2 for 14 yards). He started the first four games at MIKE linebacker before being sidelined for the Memphis game with a shoulder injury.
 
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native posted four tackles in the 2019 Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama.
 
Day was selected Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row after recording eight tackles, including two for losses of 8 yards, and an interception in ULM's 45-44 overtime loss at Florida State. His interception and 1-yard return midway through the fourth quarter set up ULM's go ahead touchdown, as the Warhawks took their first lead at 35-31 with 7:41 left in regulation.
 
Day recorded a career-high 12 tackles and an interception in ULM's 31-9 win over Grambling State in the season opener. His interception and 13-yard return came late in the second quarter and helped set up a field goal as the Warhawks built a 17-6 lead. Early in the third quarter, he stopped Grambling quarterback Jeremy Hickbottom a yard shy of a first down on a fourth-and-6 play from the ULM 27. Day also was credited with a 2-yard tackle for loss early in the fourth quarter.
 
His career totals include 197 tackles, with 20.5 resulting in losses (65 yards).
 
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 (21st with 789 rushing yards)
Rushing Yards Per Game: Josh Johnson (11th at 112.7 rushing yards per game)
Rushing Yards Per Carry: Josh Johnson (14th at 6.63 rushing yards per carry)
Pass Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (46th with 18.3 completions per game)
Total Offense: Caleb Evans (35th at 262.1 yards per game)
Receiving Touchdowns: Josh Pederson (49th with 5 touchdown receptions)
Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (42nd at 12.9 points per game)
Total Tackles: Cortez Sisco Jr. (47th at 8.6 tackles per game)
Sacks: Donald Louis Jr. (45th at 0.64 sacks per game)
Interceptions: Corey Straughter (t-5th with 4 interceptions); Chase Day (t-49th with 2 INTs)
Passes Defended: Corey Straughter (t-16th with 10 passes defended)
Fumbles Forced: Keilos Swinney (23rd at 0.29 fumbles forced per game)
Punting: Jared Porter (23rd with 44.4-yard punting average)
 
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).
 
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; 43 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
 
 
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