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Balanced Performance Ends ULM Spring Football On Positive Note

Balanced Performance Ends ULM Spring Football On Positive Note

Football Apr 12
ULM Spring Game Roster Card

ULM Spring Football Game Final Statistics

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist
 
MONROE, La. – The last thing a college football coach wants to see is a lopsided spring game. 

Ideally, there's enough good in the conclusive intrasquad scrimmage to send everyone out on a positive note.

Consider ULM head coach Matt Viator a happy man after watching the Warhawks conduct their spring game Friday night at Malone Stadium. 

"That's what you want to see," Viator said. "You want to take your chances that you're pretty good on both sides. I'd rather have it that way."

The offense provided several chunk plays, tough running and a heady two-minute drill from senior quarterback Caleb Evans. The defense forced two turnovers, a major emphasis this spring, and tallied five sacks. And the scrimmage ended on a high note for the special teams as Jacob Meeks nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired. 

"I thought the competitive spirit was good," Viator said. "Everybody was having some fun and playing football. We were pretty physical too for a 15th day and a change of schedule." 

Evans completed 14-of-19 passes for 154 yards to lead the passing attack. The senior completed five passes on the first touchdown drive, covering 80 yards in 13 plays. Josh Johnson, who ripped off a 19-yard run during the march, completed the series with a 3-yard scoring run. Meeks booted the PAT. 

"Josh made a good run today," Evans said. "I don't know how he did it. He met two guys in the hole and made them both miss. That's good for the offense to be able to run and pass and be unpredictable."

Meeks, the left-footed place-kicker in ULM's competition, kicked a 27-yard field goal to finish a 12-play, 65-yard drive led by Brennen Wooten. Isaiah Phillips contributed a 26-yard run to put the team in scoring position. 

Colby Suits got the call on a short six-play, 30-yard scoring drive, capped by Kayin White's 1-yard touchdown run.  Suits finished 4-of-9 for 20 yards.
 
With two takeaways in the first half, the defense delivered on one of its main missions. 

Austin Hawley's big hit on Kayin White forced a fumble and Jabari Johnson recovered. Hawley also picked off JT Jackson in the end zone to stop what had been an impressive march. Jackson connected with Josh Newton on a 32-yard pass prior to the pick.  

"Coming off last year, we look at a lot of numbers defensively," Hawley said. "Coach emphasized all spring about how we didn't get as many turnovers. We felt like that would have affected a lot of games, the ones that were close at least."

Ivin White Jr. was a force at defensive end with three sacks and six tackles. At linebacker, Cortez Sisco made six tackles and Rashaad Harding had five. 

"I think we're running to the ball really well and I'm excited about that," Viator said. "We're rallying to the ball a lot better than we have in the past. … We've added some guys who are good football players. I think Ivin White has really done some great things if you look at him."      

Evans pushed the first offense down the field late in the second quarter, hitting passes of 29 and 16 yards to Zach Jackson as ULM reached the 10. However, Jared Porter was wide left on a 27-yard field goal try. 

In the third quarter, JT Jackson connected with a wide-open Perry Carter on a 79-yard touchdown. Devin Parker, who kicked a 27-yard field goal in his first action earlier in the third period, also stroked the PAT. 

Jackson was 4-of-6 for 126 yards with the score and the interception. 

Big plays helped the first-team offense go 75 yards on 11 plays. Evans hit Markis McCray for 31 yards and Johnson had an 18-yard run before his 1-yard touchdown plunge.  

Johnson had five carries for 43 yards and two scores. White rushed 10 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Phillips gained 57 yards on nine carries. 

"We're running the ball a little better than what we were in the second half of the year," Viator said. "I think we're pretty physical doing it, and we have a lot of running backs."

Jackson led the receivers with seven catches for 89 yards and McCray had four for 47 yards. 

"I've been impressed with our young receivers," Viator said. "Guys like Zach Jackson and Brandius Batiste, Perry Carter made a couple of really good plays and has picked it up. And Markis has had a really good spring." 
 
 
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