After Bye Week, ULM Set to Battle Iowa State

Football Sep 18

Game 3: ULM (1-1) vs. IOWA STATE (1-1)
Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11:05 a.m. CT | FS1
Ames, Iowa | Jack Trice Stadium (61,500)

ULM Football Notes: Game 3 vs. Iowa State

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the second meeting between ULM and Iowa State. The Cyclones lead the all-time series 1-0. It marks the first meeting between the two programs since the 1980 season opener when Iowa State posted a 42-7 victory in Ames.

In the first meeting, Dwayne Crutchfield paced a well-balanced ground game with 19 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns to lead Iowa State to a 42-7 victory over ULM (formerly Northeast Louisiana) in the 1980 season opener. Crutchfield scored on runs of 9 and 3 yards. The Cyclones' ground attack accounted for 348 yards and four TDs.

• ULM has compiled an 0-11 record against current members of the Big 12 Conference (0-2 vs. Baylor, 0-1 vs. Iowa State, 0-1 vs. Kansas, 0-2 vs. Kansas State, 0-2 vs. Oklahoma, 0-1 vs. Oklahoma State, 0-1 vs. TCU and 0-1 vs. Texas).

• ULM ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference and 24th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing offense, averaging 246.5 yards per game. In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the league leaders in total offense (third at 460.0 ypg.), scoring offense (fourth at 37.5 points per game), time of possession (fourth at 30:32), passing offense (fifth at 213.5 ypg.) and passing efficiency (fifth with 131.5 rating).

• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in turnover margin (second at +1.0 per game), passing efficiency defense (second with 126.6 rating), interceptions (third with 3), scoring defense (fourth at 27.0 ppg.) and pass defense (fifth at 223.0 ypg.). In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in turnover margin (No. 21) and interceptions (No. 25).

• Junior Josh Johnson ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and fourth in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 149.5 yards per game. His 8.31 yards per carry ranks ninth in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (3), scoring (18 points) and explosive plays (5, 20-plus yard runs). Thirteen of his 36 carries have resulted in either a TD or first down. He also hasn't been stopped for a loss in 36 rushing attempts.

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 42-of-63 throws (.667) for 424 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in passing yards (fourth at 212.0 yards per game), total offense (fourth at 239.0 ypg.) and passing efficiency (fifth with 135.7 rating).

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 Josh 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.

• Caleb Evans has started 24 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.

The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 560-of-925 passes (.605) for 6,995 yards, 40 TDs and 25 interceptions in 33 career games. Evans needs 5 passing yards at Iowa State to become the fifth quarterback in ULM history to reach the 7,000-yard career milestone (Kolton Browning, 2010-13: 10,263 career passing yards; Steven Jyles, 2002-05: 8,987; John Holman, 1979-82: 7,825; and Raymond Philyaw, 1993-96: 7,061).

Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 10 in completion percentage (second), passing efficiency rating (third at 132.9), total offense (third with 8,423 career yards), pass completions (fifth), pass attempts (fifth), passing yards (fifth) and TD passes (tied for 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, three Warhawks have at least nine receptions, including Xavier Brown (11 for 123 yards), Josh Pederson (9 for 106) and Markis McCray (9 for 97).

• Fifth-year senior linebacker Chase Day leads ULM in tackles (20 total), tackles for loss (3 for 10 yards) and interceptions (2). The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in interceptions (tied for first at 1.0 per game), tackles (third at 10.0 per game) and tackles for loss (seventh at 1.5 per game). He has produced interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound 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.

• With a 38-10 victory at South Alabama last November, ULM became bowl eligible for the first time since 2013. The Warhawks entered the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to claim at least a share of the West Division title.

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 8 seniors, 3 juniors
ULM Defense: 5 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 freshman
Iowa State Offense: 6 seniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
Iowa State Defense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after two games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (36 carries for 299 yards, 8.3 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Caleb Evans (42 of 63 for 424 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Xavier Brown (11 catches for 123 yards, 11.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Chase Day (20 tackles, 9 solos, 11 assists, 3 TFL, 2 INT)

Iowa State (after two games):
Rushing – Kene Nwangwu (10 carries for 84 yards, 8,4 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing – Brock Purdy (54 of 75 for 554 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving – Deshaunte Jones (18 catches for 157 yards, 8.7 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Greg Eisworth (23 tackles, 12 solos, 11 assists, 1 PBU)

ULM/IOWA STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the second meeting between ULM and Iowa State. The Cyclones lead the all-time series 1-0. It marks the first meeting between the two programs since the 1980 season opener when Iowa State posted a 42-7 victory in Ames.

THE LAST MEETING –
Iowa State 42, ULM 7 (Sept. 13, 1980, in Ames, Iowa): Dwayne Crutchfield paced a well-balanced ground game with 19 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns to lead Iowa State to a 42-7 victory over ULM (formerly Northeast Louisiana) in the 1980 season opener. Crutchfield scored on runs of 9 and 3 yards. The Cyclones ground attack accounted for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

Iowa State cruised to a 21-0 halftime lead and built a 42-0 advantage before ULM got on the scoreboard with John Holman's 16-yard TD toss to Dewayne Robinson with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter.

The Cyclone defense limited the Warhawks to nine first downs, including only one on the ground, and 3 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Iowa State's defense also recorded three takeaways (2 fumbles and 1 interception) and scored once on Jeff Stallworth's fumble recovery in the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Cyclones outgained ULM in total yards, 444-152.

WARHAWKS vs. BIG 12 CONFERENCE OPPONENTS –
ULM has compiled an 0-11 record against current members of the Big 12 Conference (0-2 vs. Baylor, 0-1 vs. Iowa State, 0-1 vs. Kansas, 0-2 vs. Kansas State, 0-2 vs. Oklahoma, 0-1 vs. Oklahoma State, 0-1 vs. TCU and 0-1 vs. Texas).

THE LAST TIME OUT –
Florida State 45, ULM 44 – overtime (Sept. 7, 2019, in Tallahassee, Fla.): Cam Akers rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns while James Blackman threw for 282 yards and three scores to lead Florida State to a 45-44 overtime victory over ULM. The Warhawks rallied from a 21-0 first-half deficit to force overtime tied at 38-38.

The Seminoles scored TD on their first three possessions. Akers finished off a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a 9-yard TD run around right end as FSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 11:51 left in the first quarter. Blackman capped off a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a 19-yard TD strike to Tre'Shaun Harrison as the Seminoles took a 14-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter. D.J. Matthews' 26-yard punt return to the ULM 40-yard line set up Blackman's 6-yard TD run around left end as FSU moved out to a 21-0 lead with 14:26 to play in the first half.

ULM cut its deficit to 21-7 as Caleb Evans hooked up with Josh Pederson for a 33-yard scoring play with 3:43 left in the second quarter.

Florida State headed to the locker room with a 24-7 halftime lead as Ricky Aguayo hit a 36-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

The complexion of the game changed when Corey Straughter intercepted Blackman's first-down pass attempt along the sideline and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown as ULM pulled to within 24-14 with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter. It marked Straughter's second career interception return for a score.

On FSU's next possession, ULM's defense recorded its second-straight takeaway as Jordan Oliver returned a fumble 9 yards to the Seminole 46-yard line. Seven plays later, Evans scored on a 10-yard TD run around right end as the Warhawks cut their deficit to 24-21 with 2:59 to play in the third quarter.

Florida State responded with a 12-play, 78-yard drive and extended its lead back to 10 points at 31-21 on Blackman's 7-yard TD toss to Matthews with 13:22 left in the fourth quarter.

ULM answered with a nine-play, 60-yard scoring drive. On a second-and-5 play, Evans hooked up with Xavier Brown for a 20-yard gain on a fade route to set up first-and-goal at the FSU 2. On the next play, Brown scored on a 2-yard toss from Evans as the Warhawks again made it a one score game at 31-28 with 9:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. Evans went 6-for-6 passing for 50 yards on the drive.

The Warhawk defense recorded its third takeaway of the night as Chase Day intercepted Blackman's third-down pass attempt and returned it 1 yard to the FSU 33. Four plays later, Josh Johnson gave ULM its first lead of the game at 35-31 on a 1-yard TD dive with 7:41 to play in the fourth quarter.

Akers turned a screen pass from Blackman into a 44-yard scoring play as Florida State regained the lead at 38-35 with 6:09 to play in the fourth quarter.

ULM put together a 13-play, 68-yard drive and tied the score at 38-38 on a 24-yard field goal from Jacob Meeks with 1:30 left in regulation.

The Seminoles opened overtime with a six-play, 25-yard drive and took a 45-38 lead on Akers' 4-yard TD run over right guard.

Evans opened ULM's overtime series with a 20-yard strike to Pederson to set up first-and-goal at the FSU 5. Two plays later, Evans scored on a 5-yard keeper around left end, but ULM failed to extend the game into a second overtime as Meeks' extra-point attempt sailed wide right.

The two teams combined for 89 points, 56 first downs and 920 total yards.

Johnson recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game with a career-high 26 carries for 126 yards and one touchdown. Evans posted his 17th career 200-yard passing game, completing 23-of-38 throws for 241 yards and two scores while Pederson set career highs for receptions (6) and receiving yards (85).

EVANS APPROACHES 7,000-YARD CAREER PASSING MILESTONE –
Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has completed 42-of-63 throws (.667) for 424 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Evans ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in passing yards (fourth at 212.0 yards per game), total offense (fourth at 239.0 ypg.) and passing efficiency (fifth with 135.7 rating).

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 Josh Pederson in the second quarter and 2 yards to Xavier Brown in the fourth quarter. It marked his 17th career 200-yard passing game. 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 24 consecutive games at quarterback – the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA FB QBs.

The Mansfield, Texas, native has completed 560-of-925 passes (.605) for 6,995 yards, 40 TDs and 25 interceptions in 33 career games. Evans needs 5 passing yards at Iowa State to become the fifth quarterback in ULM history to reach the 7,000-yard career milestone (Kolton Browning, 2010-13: 10,263 career passing yards; Steven Jyles, 2002-05: 8,987; John Holman, 1979-82: 7,825; and Raymond Philyaw, 1993-96: 7,061).

Evans already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 10 in completion percentage (second), passing efficiency rating (third at 132.9), total offense (third with 8,423 career yards), pass completions (fifth), pass attempts (fifth), passing yards (fifth) and TD passes (tied for fifth).

JOHNSON RANKS FOURTH IN THE NCAA FBS IN RUSHING –
Junior Josh Johnson ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and fourth in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 149.5 yards per game. His 8.31 yards per carry ranks ninth in the NCAA FBS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Johnson also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (3), scoring (18 points) and explosive plays (5, 20-plus yard runs). Thirteen of his 36 carries have resulted in either a TD or first down. He also hasn't been stopped for a loss in 36 rushing attempts.

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.

In nine games last season, he gained 69 yards on 19 carries and scored one rushing TD.

DAY EARNS BACK-TO-BACK LSWA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS –
Fifth-year senior linebacker Chase Day leads ULM in tackles (20 total), tackles for loss (3 for 10 yards) and interceptions (2). The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in interceptions (tied for first at 1.0 per game), tackles (third at 10.0 per game) and tackles for loss (seventh at 1.5 per game). He has produced interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound 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.

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 299 rushing yards)
Rushing Yards Per Game: Josh Johnson (4th at 149.5 rushing yards per game)
Rushing Yards Per Carry: Josh Johnson (9th at 8.31 rushing yards per carry)
Rushing Touchdowns: Josh Johnson (31st with 3 rushing touchdowns)
Pass Completions Per Game: Caleb Evans (41st at 21.0 completions per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Caleb Evans (37th at .667)
Receptions Per Game: Xavier Brown (49th with 5.5 receptions per game)
Receiving Touchdowns: Xavier Brown (4th with 2 touchdown receptions)
Scoring: Josh Johnson (48th at 9.0 points per game)
Points Responsible For Per Game: Caleb Evans (39th at 15.0 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Josh Johnson (11th at 151.0 all-purpose yards per game)
Total Tackles: Chase Day (23rd with 10.0 tackles per game)
Tackles For Loss: Chase Day (42nd with 1.5 tackles for loss per game)
Sacks: Donald Louis Jr. (20th at 1.0 sacks per game)
Interceptions: Chase Day (5th with 2 interceptions); Corey Straughter (tied for 32nd with 1 interception)
Passes Defended: Corey Straughter (17th at 1.5 passes defended per game)

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 (36 career starts), center Bobby Reynolds (30), right guard T.J. Fiailoa (21) and left tackle Trace Ellison (19) have combined for 106 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.

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; 38 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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After Bye Week, ULM Set to Battle Iowa State