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ULM Football Conducts First Preseason Scrimmage

ULM Football Conducts First Preseason Scrimmage

Football Aug 10
Photo Gallery: ULM Football Preseason Scrimmage

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist
 
MONROE, La. – With targets up for grabs in the ULM offense this season, junior wide receiver Brandius Batiste wanted to make a strong impression when the Warhawks held their first preseason scrimmage on Saturday.

"Everyone is wondering who will step up with R.J. Turner leaving and Marcus Green going to the league," Batiste said. "We collectively as a group decided that we're going to pick up where they left off at and do our job."

Batiste made himself known at Malone Stadium with five catches for 77 yards and one touchdown. The junior caught balls from quarterbacks Caleb Evans, Colby Suits and JT Jackson, including 37-yard score from Jackson late in the session. 

"Last year, I was with the twos, so I'm comfortable with Colby and JT," Batiste said. "Going with them is natural. But going with Caleb too is a blessing."

ULM had five passing touchdowns in the scrimmage overall. Jackson hit Jahquan Bloomfield for a 70-yarder and Malik Jackson for a 25-yard score. Evans found Xavier Brown for a 20-yard touchdown and Suits had a 40-yard strike to CJ Fletcher.  Fletcher had two catches for 54 yards and Jonathan Hodoh had one grab for 36 yards. 

"I thought he made a couple of nice plays out there," Viator said of Batiste. "Markis McCray made a few and I knew Xavier Brown caught a touchdown. Really, a lot of good days out here. We have a lot of guys stepping up and we need them to."  

Batiste also was the primary punt returner during the scrimmage, filling another hole left by Green's graduation.

"Last year, I was a gunner because Marcus was the returner," Batiste said. "This year, they've asked me to come up and punt return. I got some extra work in this summer and got comfortable back there. I feel like it's my turn to take over the job."  

Carry on: ULM utilized several running backs, with Austin "Bus" Vaughn getting the start and the most work. Vaughn led the running backs with 39 yards on seven attempts. 

Josh Johnson and Kaylin White had five carries each for 25 yards apiece. Isaiah Phillips added four carries for 22 yards. 

"I know Josh Johnson came out, although I don't think it was anything serious," Viator said. "I think Bus and Kayin got a few extra reps toward the end. I like our running backs right now. We're a lot deeper than we have been. Somehow over the next couple of weeks, we've got to narrow it down. "

Just kicking it: Jacob Meeks, who is getting his shot at place-kicking duties, missed from 42 yards and was good on a 32-yard field goal.  

"He just needs to get more consistent," Viator said. "He certainly has a big leg. He can really kick it, but he's got to get more consistent in what we're doing, and hopefully, he will. But he has a lot of leg talent."

Takeaway watch: With a big emphasis on forcing more turnovers this preseason, ULM defensive coaches were surely happy to see safety Nick Ingram's interception off Caleb Evans.  

"Coaches have emphasized that all spring, summer workouts and through fall camp," the senior Ingram said. 
 
Ingram laughed when asked if he felt bad at forcing a turnover against a teammate. 

"Naw," he said with a smile. "I've got a job to do and their job is to keep it out of my hands. Me doing that is just making them better. We'll go back to the film room and see what we need to do better and go from there."

Tail feathers: Red-shirt freshman nose tackle Dayonte Roberts registered a sack. … Cornerback Corey Straughter broke up a pass from Evans intended for Brown. … ULM center Bobby Reynolds exited with a lower-body injury but was walking the Malone Stadium hallways after the scrimmage. Zach Breaux replaced him at center. … Suits was 8-of-15 passing for 86 yards and one TD and added 40 yards rushing on two carries. Evans completed 7-of-12 passes for 102 yards with one score and one interception. Jackson went 7-of-16 for 160 yards and three TDs.   
 
 
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