ULM Celebrates 70th Homecoming; Faces Georgia Southern

Football Oct 02

Game 4: Georgia Southern (1-1, 0-1 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (0-3, 0-1 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 6:05 p.m. CT
Monroe, La. | JPS Field at Malone Stadium (30,000)
Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 4 vs. Georgia Southern

Digital Game Program

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

General Admission Tickets ($15)

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between ULM and Georgia Southern. The Eagles lead the all-time series 5-3 (6-3 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated), including a 1-3 record in games played in Malone Stadium. Georgia Southern's only win in Monroe, Louisiana, came on Oct. 3, 2015, 51-31. Four of the previous nine meetings have been decided by nine points or less.

• First-year ULM defensive line coach Johnny Jernigan served as defensive ends coach under head coach Willie Fritz at Georgia Southern for two years (2014-15). During his tenure, Georgia Southern went a combined 17-7 (.708), won the 2014 Sun Belt Championship (8-0) in the program's first season as a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and earned its first-ever bowl appearance in 2015 (GoDaddy.com Bowl).

• Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-26-1 (.616) in 69 Homecoming games, including an 0-1 record against Georgia Southern. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 19 Homecoming contests.

ULM last played host to Georgia Southern for its Homecoming game on Oct. 3, 2015. Matt Breida, L.A. Ramsby and Wesley Fields combined to rush for 339 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a 51-31 win over the Warhawks.

• In three starts, Colby Suits has completed 66-of-99 throws for 709 yards, four TDs and two interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in completion percentage (second at .667), passing yards (second at 236.3 per game), touchdown passes (tied for second with 4), passing efficiency (fifth with a 136.1 rating) and total offense (fifth at 229.7 ypg.). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 in passing yards (No. 11 with 709), completions per game (No. 14 at 22.0), passing TDs (No. 15) and completion percentage (No. 21).

He hit 17-of-27 passes for 184 yards against UTEP, including a 35-yard scoring strike to Jahquan Bloomfield in the third quarter.

In the Sun Belt Conference opener against Texas State, Suits connected on 35-of-53 throws for 377 yards and two scores. He completed throws to 11 different receivers, including TD tosses of 20 yards to Jevin Frett and 5 yards to Chandler Whitfield.

His 35 completions are the third-best single-game total in the NCAA FBS this season, trailing only Texas Tech's Alan Bowman (38-of-52 vs. Houston Baptist, Sept. 12) and Mississippi State's K.J. Costello (36-of-60 at LSU, Sept. 26). Suits' 384 yards total offense (9th) and 377 passing yards (10th) represent two of the top single-game totals produced by an NCAA FBS quarterback this season. His 35 completions also tied the sixth-highest single-game mark in ULM history.
• A key to Colby Suits' throwing success early this season has been his ability to utilize all of the weapons at his disposal in ULM's one-back offense. This season, seven Warhawks have at least six receptions, including Josh Pederson (13 catches for 121 yards), Chandler Whitfield (10 for 75), Josh Johnson (9 for 24), Perry Carter (8 for 98), Jahquan Bloomfield (6 for 148), Jevin Frett (6 for 107) and Jonathan Hodoh (6 for 59). In addition, four different receivers have a touchdown reception.

• Through three games in 2020, fifth-year senior Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 13 receptions for 121 yards (9.3 avg.). Seven of his 13 catches (54 percent) have resulted in first downs. His receptions (tied for third) and receiving yards (seventh) rank among the top totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson has led the team in receptions in two of the first three games. He hauled in four passes for 27 yards against UTEP and caught four passes for 38 yards in ULM's Sun Belt Conference opener against Texas State.

In the 2020 season opener at Army, Pederson had a team-high five catches for 56 yards, with four of those five receptions producing first downs. He earned the third-highest grade among all NCAA FBS tight ends in Week 2, according to Pro Football Focus.

Pederson has caught at least one pass in 15 consecutive games.

A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Pederson has 80 career receptions for 945 yards (11.8 avg.) and 11 TDs. He needs just 55 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard career milestone.

• Sophomore Jahquan Bloomfield leads ULM in receiving yards (148) and ranks tied for fifth in receptions (6). The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Bloomfield ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 19 in the NCAA FBS, averaging 24.7 yards per reception.

He scored his first career touchdown on a 35-yard reception from Colby Suits late in the third quarter against UTEP. Bloomfield set career highs for catches (3) and receiving yards (54) in the Sun Belt opener against Texas State. He had a career-long 54-yard reception from Suits on the first play of the second quarter in the 2020 season opener at Army.

• Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks with 28 tackles (10 solos, 18 assists). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 36 in the NCAA FBS in tackles, averaging 9.3 per game.

He has led the team in tackles in each of the first three games, including nine stops (2-7) against UTEP. Webster tallied eight tackles (3-5) against Texas State, including two for losses (3 yards). In his first career start at Will linebacker, he recorded a career-high 11 tackles (5 solos, 6 assists) and a quarterback hurry in ULM's season-opening loss at Army.

• Isaiah Phillips ranks second in the NCAA FBS in kickoff return yards (236) and 24th in kickoff return average (21.5 yards per return). The 5-foot-7, 192-pound sophomore leads ULM with eight explosive plays (20-plus yards) – all kickoff returns. Phillips returned the opening kickoff at Army 35 yards and added a 31-yarder late in the second quarter against UTEP.

• ULM has been held below 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games (20 rushes for 37 yards at Army; 26 for 67 vs. Texas State; 14 for 7 vs. UTEP) for the first time since early in the 2014 season (18 for 16 at LSU in Game 3; 33 for 29 vs. Troy in Game 4; 25 for 72 at Arkansas State in Game 5; and 40 for 77 at Kentucky in Game 6).

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
Georgia Southern Offense: 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 freshmen
Georgia Southern Defense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen
ULM Offense: 4 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
ULM Defense: 4 seniors, 1 junior, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman

STAT LEADERS –
Georgia Southern (after two games):
Rushing – Shai Werts (24 carries for 187 yards, 7.8 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Shai Werts (18 of 32 for 308 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Khaleb Hood (4 catches for 54 yards, 13.5 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Java'n Singletary (15 tackles, 7 solos, 8 assists, 1 PBU)

ULM (after three games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (38 carries for 108 yards, 2.8 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (66 of 99 for 709 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (13 catches for 121 yards, 9.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (28 tackles, 10 solos, 18 assists, 2.0 TFL, 2 QB hurries)

ULM/GEORGIA SOUTHERN SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between ULM and Georgia Southern. The Eagles lead the all-time series 5-3 (6-3 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated), including a 1-3 record in games played in Malone Stadium. Georgia Southern's only win in Monroe, Louisiana, came on Oct. 3, 2015, 51-31. Four of the previous nine meetings have been decided by nine points or less.

THE LAST MEETING –
Georgia Southern 51, ULM 29 (Nov. 16, 2019, in Statesboro, Ga.): ULM couldn't get its act together against Georgia Southern, as the Eagles scored 21 points off turnovers and never trailed in a 51-29 win over the Warhawks on a damp, chilly Saturday at Paulson Stadium.

ULM actually outgained Georgia Southern, 370-325, but couldn't overcome the self-inflicted wounds.

The Warhawks were a woeful 2-for-13 on third down and punted six times. Senior quarterback Caleb Evans passed for 285 yards and two scores but also was intercepted twice. ULM's 1,000-yard runner Josh Johnson was limited to 43 yards on 12 carries.

A wobbly first half found ULM trailing by three touchdowns through two quarters.

Georgia Southern's Rashad Byrd picked off Evans' second pass and the Eagles quickly converted the turnover into points. Byrd returned his interception 34 yards to the ULM 21, and quarterback Shai Werts scored on an 11-yard run three plays later for a 7-0 lead.

ULM's offense shook off the miscue and responded with a nice drive. Austin Vaughn powered in a 3-yard touchdown run to cap a 13-play, 75-yard march that tied the score at 7-7.

Throw out the scoring drive though, and it was a lethargic first half for ULM's offense. The Warhawks had three three-and-outs with four punts and the turnover to show for their seven possessions.

Tyler Bass kicked a 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter to put the Eagles up 10-7. Georgia Southern started the seven-play drive at the ULM 43 after a short punt.

The Eagles needed six plays to cover 73 yards and Werts returned the end zone on a 24-yard run as Georgia Southern's lead grew to 17-7.

Georgia Southern finished the half against ULM's tiring defense with a nine-play, 88-yard drive and extended its lead to 24-7 as Darion Anderson snared a 33-yard pass from Werts with 37 seconds remaining.

The Eagles outgained ULM in first-half yardage, 235-132, and held a 13-5 edge in first downs.

Evans had just five completions until a 49-yard connection with Perry Carter Jr. on the second series of the second half. Johnson also had a 13-yard catch on fourth-and-6 and Carter's catch was the field-flipper in ULM's eight-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run from Evans. ULM trailed 24-14 with 6:41 left in the third quarter.

But after cutting the lead to 10, ULM lost traction quickly.

Another ULM turnover, this time on special teams, led to another Georgia Southern touchdown. Anthony Beck II's 51-yard punt was muffed by Carter and recovered at the ULM 6-yard line. A 6-yard touchdown run from J.D. King with 25 seconds left in the third quarter put the Eagles up 31-14.

The spiral continued as Evans threw a pick-six to Donald Rutledge Jr., who rumbled 42 yards to hand ULM a 38-14 deficit.
Markis McCray's 1-yard touchdown grab from Evans and Josh Pederson's catch for a two-point conversion made it 38-22 with 12:15 left in the game.

Georgia Southern would salt their win away with a fourth-quarter drive that included three personal fouls against ULM and exceeded nine minutes, adding the exclamation point on Wesley Kennedy III's 1-yard touchdown run to go up 44-22 with 2:48 remaining.

Pederson grabbed his eighth touchdown pass of the year on a 16-yard pass from Evans with 20 seconds remaining.

Georgia Southern's Monquavion Brinson fielded the ensuing onside kick and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

THE LAST MEETING IN MALONE STADIUM –
ULM 44, Georgia Southern 25 (Nov. 3, 2018, in Monroe, La.): An afternoon showdown between Sun Belt Conference co-leaders turned into a beat down at Malone Stadium.

Coming off an open date, ULM football delivered its most complete performance of the season to manhandle Georgia Southern, 44-25, at JPS Field.

The outcome, along with the Ragin' Cajuns' 26-16 loss at Troy, moved ULM (5-4, 3-2) into sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt's West Division.

The Warhawks were dynamite on offense, thanks to a flurry of chunk plays that helped the unit pile up 573 yards. Caleb Evans completed 13-of-22 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 102 yards and two scores on 15 attempts. Marcus Green had two catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns while tailback Derrick Gore gained 114 yards and scored a touchdown on 19 attempts.
Meanwhile, ULM's defense passed muster against Georgia Southern's triple option attack, holding the Eagles to 138 yards rushing. The 216 yards total offense was a new low for ULM under Matt Viator. With the visitors forced into uncharacteristic passing mode, the Warhawks registered five sacks to ice the cake.

Georgia Southern (7-2, 4-1) came in riding a five-game winning streak after beating then-No. 25 Appalachian State 34-15 on Oct.25. The Eagles, who were tied for first in the Sun Belt East Division received 62 votes in the AP Poll and 32 in the Coaches Poll last week.

ULM came ready to play in this pivotal contest and pounced on their visitors from the start.

Evans fueled a flawless opening drive that covered 80 yards in seven plays. The junior quarterback hit two passes for 57 yards, including a 41-yard strike to Markis McCray, and rushed for 20 yards, including his 5-yard touchdown run, to give ULM a 6-0 lead.

After Georgia Southern missed a 26-yard field-goal attempt, the Warhawks went into quick-strike mode on their next chance as Evans and Green hooked up on a slant pass that turned into a runaway 80-yard touchdown. ULM led 13-0 with 6:43 left in the opening period.

The second quarter brought more of the same for the erupting Warhawks. Evans and Green connected again on a slant that covered 69 yards and boosted ULM's lead to 20-0 with 13:58 remaining in the half.
ULM's defense played well throughout the first half, particularly in the red zone. Georgia Southern ground out 53 yards in 14 plays over 8:18 but had to settle for a 38-yard Tyler Bass field goal with 5:40 to go in the second quarter to draw within 20-3.

R.J. Turner, who had a wide-open drop in the first quarter, made amends with a 57-yard catch in the second period. Turner's big play and Gore's 12-yard run on fourth-and-1 set up Josh Johnson's first career touchdown on a 1-yard run to give ULM a 27-3 advantage with 2:49 showing.

The only sour note came late in the first half. Evans was intercepted and the Warhawks were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play to give Georgia Southern the ball at the 22. The Eagles capitalized immediately with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Shai Werts to Mark Michaud to cut the home lead to 27-10 with 1:02 before the break.

Frustrating, yes, but hardly a back breaker.

ULM's defense set the tone for the second half with a quick three-and-out, giving the Warhawks exactly what they needed to keep surging.

The Warhawks stayed in their offensive groove too, motoring 67 yards in 11 plays and scoring on Gore's 1-yard plunge to lead 34-10 with 8:31 left in the third quarter. Tyler Lamm made a pair of first-down catches to keep the chains moving.
Another ULM turnover turned into points for Georgia Southern as Jessie Liptrot intercepted Evans and returned the ball 57 yards for a touchdown. Wesley Fields ran in the 2-point conversion for a 34-18 score with 3:15 to go in the third.

Gore's 35-yard run on the next series cranked up another scoring march as ULM recouped the points. Evans slashed into the end zone from 2 yards out to cap the seven-play, 75-yard drive and the Warhawks were up 41-18 with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Georgia Southern gave ULM an uneasy feeling with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown with 10:37 left in the game.

But on this day, ULM had far too many things go its way to be done in by a handful of critical mistakes. Craig Ford's 32-yard field goal with 4:16 remaining put the finishing touches on a job well done.

ULM/GEORGIA SOUTHERN COACHING STAFF CONNECTION –
First-year ULM defensive line coach Johnny Jernigan served as defensive ends coach under head coach Willie Fritz at Georgia Southern for two years (2014-15). During his tenure, Georgia Southern went a combined 17-7 (.708), won the 2014 Sun Belt Championship (8-0) in the program's first season as a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and earned its first-ever bowl appearance in 2015 (GoDaddy.com Bowl).

WARHAWK FROM THE PEACH STATE –
ULM's 2020 roster features only one player from Georgia: graduate transfer (from Tulane) offensive tackle Tyler Johnson (Atlanta / Stephenson HS).

WARHAWKS CELEBRATE 70TH HOMECOMING GAME –
Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-26-1 (.616) in 69 Homecoming games, including an 0-1 record against Georgia Southern. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 19 Homecoming contests.

ULM last played host to Georgia Southern for its Homecoming game on Oct. 3, 2015. Matt Breida, L.A. Ramsby and Wesley Fields combined to rush for 339 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a 51-31 win over the Warhawks.

Georgia Southern scored on its first five possessions en route to building a 31-10 halftime lead.

Junior Williams returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown as ULM cut its deficit to 31-24 with 14:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Eagles got TD runs of 41 yards from Ramsby and 6 yards from Breida to regain control of the game at 45-24 with 6:04 left.

Georgia Southern outgained ULM in total yards, 503-279, including 455 yards on the ground. Breida paced the Eagles well-balanced running attack with 19 carries for 149 yards and two scores, followed by Ramsby who ran 13 times for 98 yards and two TDs and Fields who added 92 yards on 17 attempts and two scores.

ULM quarterback Garrett Smith connected on 21-of-36 throws for 232 yards, three TDs and three interceptions. Smith completed scoring tosses of 2 yards to Harley Scioneaux, 12 yards to Jared Mapps and 10 yards to D'Marius Gillespie. His favorite target was Ajalen Holley, who finished with eight receptions for 166 yards.

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)

THE LAST TIME OUT –
UTEP 31, ULM 6 (Sept. 27, 2020, in Monroe, Louisiana): Sluggish starts are a troublesome trend for ULM through three games.

The Warhawks fell behind early again on Saturday and failed to rally at Malone Stadium in a 31-6 loss to UTEP.

Now outscored 35-7 in the first quarter this season, ULM (0-3) didn't have the answer after UTEP (3-1) came out in attack mode and never let up.

In building a 24-0 halftime lead, UTEP outgained ULM, 330-74, and ran 40 plays to ULM's 18. The Warhawks were 0-for-5 on third-down conversions and managed just two first downs while possessing the ball just 9:06 through two quarters.

Colby Suits started at quarterback and completed 17-of-27 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The offense was limited to 45 plays with six first downs and finished 0-for-11 on third-down conversions.

With ULM playing catch-up, the Warhawks never got their running game going and finished with 7 net rushing yards.

Overall, the underdog Miners outgained ULM with 512 yards on 72 plays to 193. Quarterback Gavin Hardison completed 13-of-25 passes for 302 yards and delivered big days to receivers Justin Garrett (7 catches for 120 yards) and Jacob Cowing (3 for 102). Running back Deion Hankins scored three touchdowns and added 118 yards on 22 carries.
Another glaring issue, the Warhawks couldn't get UTEP off the field on third down as the Miners converted 11-of-17.

Hardison completed 5-of-10 passes for 160 yards in the first quarter to set the tone. UTEP staggered the Warhawks with big aerial plays in the opening quarter, including an 82-yard reception by Cowing to the ULM 2. Hankins pounded in the touchdown on the next play with 7:40 to play as the Miners led 7-0.

ULM squandered a big play of its own after Suits and Jevin Frett connected for a 49-yard gain to the UTEP 16. Three plays later, UTEP's Duron Lowe picked off Suits at the 3 as he targeted Frett again.

The Miners shifted their offensive attack to the ground early in the second quarter as Hankins ripped off a 37-yard run to the ULM 7. Hankins finished the drive with two more runs, including a 1-yard touchdown to give UTEP a 14-0 lead with 13:33 left in the half.

Hankins' third touchdown gave UTEP a 21-0 lead with 6:57 remaining in the second quarter. His bullish 8-yard run capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive.

The Miners boosted their advantage to 24-0 on Gavin Baechle's 42-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the half.

Quarterback Jeremy Hunt directed the offense for the first two series in the second half but Suits returned after Keilos Swinney recovered a UTEP fumble at the ULM 45. Suits hit four-straight passes with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jahquan Bloomfield to finally get ULM on the scoreboard, 24-6, with 55 seconds remaining in the third quarter. After a penalty on ULM's 2-point conversion try, Zach Elder missed the PAT.

With reserves in the game late and UTEP running out the clock, Ronald Awatt broke loose for a 23-yard touchdown with 2:32 left remaining.

ALL-AMERICAN STRAUGHTER SIDELINED BY WRIST INJURY FOR REMAINDER OF 2020 –
ULM senior cornerback Corey Straughter, who ranks among ULM's all-time Top 20 in interception return yards (second at 250), pass break-ups (tied for eighth with 20) and interceptions (tied for 15th with 9), will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2020 season with a wrist injury. Straughter first sprained his wrist during an Aug. 15 preseason scrimmage.

Through the first three games, he posted four tackles and a pass break-up.

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound Straughter, who ranked among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in interceptions (tied for seventh with 5) and passes defended (tied for 14th with 15) last season, was named to the preseason watch lists for three major national awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Football Writers Association of America National Defensive Player of the Year), Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (nation's best defensive back) and Bednarik Award (Maxwell Football Club defensive player of the year).

In 2019, Straughter was named All-American by both USA TODAY (second team) and Pro Football Focus (third team) as well as First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference. His 15 passes defended led the Sun Belt and his five interceptions tied for the league lead. Straughter allowed the nation's lowest passer rating (13.5), lowest completion percentage (28.6) and fewest combined receptions for first downs and touchdowns (7). His 89.9 coverage grade ranked sixth-highest among all NCAA FBS cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed only one touchdown reception in 2019 (came in the season finale at the Ragin' Cajuns) and one explosive pass play (20-plus yards; came on the opening drive of Game 11 vs. Coastal Carolina).

The Monroe, Louisiana, native also contributed 23 tackles (18 solos, 5 assists) in 2019.

PEDERSON EMERGES AS ONE OF NATION'S ELITE TIGHT ENDS –
Through three games in 2020, fifth-year senior Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 13 receptions for 121 yards (9.3 avg.). Seven of his 13 catches (54 percent) have resulted in first downs. His receptions (tied for third) and receiving yards (seventh) rank among the top totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson has led the team in receptions in two of the first three games. He hauled in four passes for 27 yards against UTEP and caught four passes for 38 yards in ULM's Sun Belt Conference opener against Texas State.

In the 2020 season opener at Army, Pederson had a team-high five catches for 56 yards, with four of those five receptions producing first downs. He earned the third-highest grade among all NCAA FBS tight ends in Week 2, according to Pro Football Focus.

Pederson, who has caught at least one pass in 15 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250.

A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Pederson set career highs for receptions (43), receiving yards (567) and touchdown receptions (9) last season while being selected honorable mention PFF All-American and All-Sun Belt First Team.

Pederson has 80 career receptions for 945 yards (11.8 avg.) and 11 TDs. He needs just 55 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard career milestone.

JOHNSON FEATURED ON WATCH LISTS FOR MAXWELL & DOAK WALKER AWARDS –
ULM fifth-year senior Josh Johnson, who ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 13th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing while averaging 108.2 yards per game last season, has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year) and Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back).

An All-Sun Belt Second-Team selection, Johnson also finished among the NCAA FBS Top 20 in yards per carry (10th at 6.46) and rushing yards (tied for 18th with 1,298). His 1,298 rushing yards ranked as the fourth-highest single-season total in ULM history. In addition, Johnson led the Warhawks in all-purpose yards (1,420) while ranking second in rushing touchdowns (11) and scoring (66 points). His eight runs of 30-plus yards ranked tied for eighth in the NCAA FBS. He also had 13 receptions for 122 yards (9.4 avg.).

Johnson was stopped for a loss only nine times in 201 rushing attempts in 2019. He opened last season with 69 consecutive carries without being tackled in the backfield.

He recorded his seventh 100-yard game in the season finale at the Ragin' Cajuns, finishing with 13 carries for 109 yards. His career-long 53-yard run set up ULM's fourth touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Johnson ran 19 times for 129 yards and two TDs in ULM's 45-42 win over Coastal Carolina in the home finale. He broke five runs of 10-plus yards, including a pair of 12-yarders that resulted in TDs.
With 20 rushes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in ULM's 45-31 win over Georgia State, Johnson became ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin (219 rushes for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs) in 2009. His two rushing TDs matched his career high, scoring on runs of 10 and 30 yards against the Panthers. His 36-yard gain around right end late in the first quarter set up ULM's second touchdown.

He carried 22 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns in ULM's 24-14 victory at Texas State. 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.

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.

SUITS REPLACES THREE-YEAR STARTER EVANS AT QUARTERBACK –
In three starts, Colby Suits has completed 66-of-99 throws for 709 yards, four TDs and two interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in completion percentage (second at .667), passing yards (second at 236.3 per game), touchdown passes (tied for second with 4), passing efficiency (fifth with a 136.1 rating) and total offense (fifth at 229.7 ypg.). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 in passing yards (No. 11 with 709), completions per game (No. 14 at 22.0), passing TDs (No. 15) and completion percentage (No. 21).

He hit 17-of-27 passes for 184 yards against UTEP, including a 35-yard strike to Jahquan Bloomfield in the third quarter.

In the Sun Belt Conference opener against Texas State, Suits connected on 35-of-53 throws for 377 yards and two scores. He completed throws to 11 different receivers, including TD tosses of 20 yards to Jevin Frett and 5 yards to Chandler Whitfield.

His 35 completions are the third-best single-game total in the NCAA FBS this season, trailing only Texas Tech's Alan Bowman (38-of-52 vs. Houston Baptist, Sept. 12) and Mississippi State's K.J. Costello (36-of-60 at LSU, Sept. 26). Suits' 384 yards total offense (9th) and 377 passing yards (10th) represent two of the top single-game totals produced by an NCAA FBS quarterback this season. His 35 completions also tied the sixth-highest single-game mark in ULM history.

In his first career start at Army, Suits completed 14-of-19 passes for 148 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown toss to Malik Jackson late in the second quarter. Suits went a perfect 4-for-4 for 40 yards on ULM's seven-play, 64-yard scoring drive. On the first play of the second quarter, he hooked up with Bloomfield for a career-long 54-yard completion.

Suits became the first ULM quarterback not named Caleb Evans to start under center in 35 games. Evans, who started 37 of 43 career games including 34 in a row from 2017-19, rewrote the Warhawk record book. He set ULM's career record for total offense per game (271.7 yards) and rushing touchdowns (36). In addition, Evans finished ranked among ULM's Top 10 all-time leaders in eight additional categories: second in total offense (11,681 yards), second in TDs responsible for (94), second in completion percentage (.605), second in passing yards (9,513), second in TD passes (58), third in pass attempts (1,252), third in pass completions (757) and sixth in rushing yards (2,168).

The last Warhawk to start at quarterback other than Evans was (current graduate assistant coach) Garrett Smith in Game 2 of the 2017 season against Southern Miss.

With Evans' departure, ULM was one of 18 schools in the country that entered the 2020 season with no starting experience at quarterback.

NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2020:

Individual Statistics (Top 40)
Passing Yards: Colby Suits (11th with 709 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Colby Suits (29th at 236.3 passing yards per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Colby Suits (21st at .667 completion percentage)
Pass Completions Per Game: Colby Suits (14th with 22.0 completions per game)
Passing Efficiency: Colby Suits (37th with 136.1 rating)
Passing Touchdowns: Colby Suits (15th with 4 passing TDs)
Total Offense: Colby Suits (40th at 229.7 yards total offense per game)
Yards Per Reception: Jahquan Bloomfield (19th at 24.67 yards per reception)
Points Responsible For: Colby Suits (35th with 24 points)
Combined Kick Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (2nd at 236 combined kick return yards)
Kickoff Returns: Isaiah Phillips (24th at 21.5 yards per kickoff return)
Tackles Per Game: Trevion Webster (36th at 9.3 tackles per game)
Fumbles Forced: Keilos Swinney (22nd with 0.67 forced fumbles per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Jahquan Bloomfield/Mason Husmann/Keilos Swinney (t-4th with 1 fumble recovery)

ULM SEEKS TO PLAY FULL 12-GAME SLATE IN 2020 –
ULM is one of six NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams scheduled to play 12-games in 2020, joining Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy, UTEP and UTSA.

WARHAWKS RETOOL OFFENSIVE LINE –
Another challenge for the Warhawks has been filling the holes left by four starters on the offensive line, including left tackle Eastwood Thomas (46 career starts), left guard Trace Ellison (29), center Bobby Reynolds (40) and right guard Brandon Jones (12). That quartet accounted for 127 combined starts.

ULM returns five lettermen upfront but only two of those linemen had previous starting experience, including right guard T.J. Fiailoa (23 career starts) and right tackle Samuel Williams, who started the last eight games of the 2019 season.

SEASON-OPENING STARTING LINEUP FEATURED 13 FIRST-TIME STARTERS –
ULM's starting lineup for the 2020 season opener at Army featured 13 first-time starters, including six on the offensive side of the football, five on defense and two specialists.

The first-time starters on offense were left tackle Blake Lodes (6-7,315, So.), left guard Dakota Torbert (6-5, 305, Jr.), center Zach Breaux (6-3, 306, So.), flanker Perry Carter (5-8, 172, Jr.), quarterback Colby Suits (6-3, 240, So.) and outside (W) receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (6-1, 190, So.). The first-time starters on defense included defensive ends Myles Cole (6-6, 248, So.) and Brandon Nettles (6-1, 250, So.), defensive tackle Kevin Pointer (6-1, 287, R-Fr.), Will linebacker Traveion Webster (5-11, 209, Sr.) and Mike linebacker KeyShawn Johnson (6-0, 223, So.). Kickoff specialist Daniel Sparks (6-6, 188, Fr.) and placekicker Davis Hughes (6-1, 167, Jr.) also made their debuts in the starting lineup.

By comparison, ULM's 2019 opening-game lineup against Grambling State included just four first-time starters.

NINE GRADUATES LISTED ON 2020 ULM FOOTBALL ROSTER –
Nine members of the 2020 ULM football team already have earned their bachelor's degrees: kicker Zach Elder, center Garrett Hirsch, wide receiver Jonathan Hodoh, defensive lineman Mason Husmann, running back Josh Johnson, tight end Tyler Lamm, tight end Josh Pederson, defensive end Ty Shelby and offensive tackle Samuel Williams.

Those nine student-athletes wear a Sun Belt Conference graduate patch on their jersey.

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER VIATOR –
Here's how ULM has fared during head coach Matt Viator's tenure (2016-present: 51 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-2 / 12-11
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-1 / 7-21

Games played in August: 0-0 / 2-1
Games played in September: 0-3 / 5-11
Games played in October: 0-0 / 5-10
Games played in November: 0-0 / 7-8
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-2

When leading at halftime: 0-0 / 15-1
When trailing at halftime: 0-3 / 2-31
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-3 / 7-27

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter: 0-3 / 4-24
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-3 / 2-31
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 1-1

Overtime games: 0-0 / 2-1

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 0-1 / 13-5
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-2 / 5-25
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 / 2-2

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 14-9
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-2 / 6-28

When outrushing opponent: 0-0 / 13-5
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-3 / 6-27

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-1 / 13-21
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-2 / 11-25

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-1 / 15-7
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-2 / 4-25

When leading in time of possession: 0-1 / 11-7
When trailing in time of possession: 0-2 / 8-25
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0 / 0-0

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