ULM Faces Road Test at Unbeaten Liberty Saturday

Football Oct 08

Game 5: ULM (0-4, 0-2 Sun Belt) vs. Liberty (3-0)
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 12:02 p.m. ET/11:02 a.m. CT
Lynchburg, Va. | Williams Stadium (25,000)
Watch: ESPN2 | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 5 vs. Liberty

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between ULM and Liberty.

• ULM faces its second NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent this season in Liberty. The Warhawks opened the 2020 campaign with a 37-7 loss at Army on Sept. 12.

ULM has compiled a 2-5 record (.286) against current NCAA FBS independents (0-1 vs. Army, 0-1 vs. BYU and 2-3 vs. New Mexico State).

• In four starts, Colby Suits has completed 97-of-153 throws for 1,043 yards, six TDs and two interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (260.8 per game) and ranks among the league leaders in touchdown passes (second with 6), total offense (second at 268.5 ypg.), completion percentage (fourth at .634) and passing efficiency (eighth with a 131.0 rating). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 in passing yards (fifth with 1,043), completions per game (ninth at 24.25), passing TDs (No. 15), passing yards per game (No. 18), completion percentage (No. 25) and points responsible for (No. 25 at 36).

He ranks as one of three NCAA FBS quarterbacks with at least 30 completions in multiple games this season, joining Mississippi State's K.J. Costello and Texas Tech's Alan Bowman.

Suits accounted for a season-high 385 yards total offense in ULM's 35-30 Homecoming loss to Georgia Southern. He completed 31-of-54 throws for 334 yards, including a pair of 2-yard TD tosses to Malik Jackson and Josh Johnson. Suits, who completed passes to 10 different receivers, went 18-of-33 for 184 yards in the second half. He also led the team in rushing against the Eagles, with seven carries for 51 yards. His 17-yard run on a fourth-and-7 play late in the first half kept an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive alive. He directed a 13-play, 72-yard drive in the closing minutes but was stopped inches short of a game-winning TD on his 8-yard scramble as time expired.

• 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 eight receptions, including Josh Pederson (16 catches for 174 yards), Josh Johnson (14 for 49), Jevin Frett (10 for 165), Jonathan Hodoh (10 for 96), Chandler Whitfield (10 for 75), Perry Carter (9 for 109) and Jahquan Bloomfield (8 for 173). In addition, five different receivers have a touchdown reception.

• Through four games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 16 receptions for 174 yards (10.9 avg.). Nine of his 16 catches (56 percent) have resulted in first downs. His receptions (tied for third) and receiving yards (tied for seventh) rank among the Top 10 totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson needs just 2 more receiving yards to become only the fifth tight end in ULM history to reach the 1,000-yard career milestone (Jackie Harris, 1986-89: 2,149 career receiving yards; Joey Evans, 1981-84: 1,764; Bobby Craighead, 1980-83: 1,095; and Fred Coleman, 1973-74: 1,080). In 38 career games, the fifth-year senior has 83 career receptions for 998 yards (12.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.

Pederson, who has caught at least one pass in 16 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 20 consecutive starts at tight end is the team's longest active streak

• Fifth-year senior Josh Johnson accounted for a career-best three touchdowns in ULM's 35-30 Homecoming loss to Georgia Southern. Johnson finished off a six-play, 72-yard drive with a 26-yard TD run around left end early in the second quarter. Late in the third quarter, he slipped out of the backfield to score the first receiving TD of his career on a 2-yard toss from Colby Suits, closing out a 13-play, 73-yard drive. Johnson capped off an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard TD plunge off right guard with 4:59 left in the fourth quarter, as the Warhawks pulled to within five points after trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.

It marked his fifth career multi-TD game. His 14 career rushing TDs are tied for No. 14 on ULM's all-time list.

• Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks in tackles (33 total: 11 solos, 22 assists) and quarterback hurries (3). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranks sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.2 per game.

He has led the team in tackles in three of the first four 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.

• Fifth-year defensive end Ty Shelby leads the defensive linemen and ranks tied for fifth on the team with 20 tackles (4 solos, 16 assists). Shelby has produced career highs in tackles in two of his last three games.

He posted a career-best eight stops (2-6) against Georgia Southern.

The 6-foot-4, 252-pound Shelby, who was sidelined for ULM's season opener at Army, returned to the starting lineup against Texas State and registered a then career-high seven tackles, with two resulting in losses including a sack. His two tackles for loss also matched his career best (vs. Texas State in 2018).

• Isaiah Phillips leads the NCAA FBS in kickoff return yards (275) and ranks No. 27 in kickoff return average (21.2 yards per return). The 5-foot-7, 192-pound sophomore leads ULM with nine 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 four consecutive games (20 rushes for 37 yards at Army; 26 for 67 vs. Texas State; 14 for 7 vs. UTEP; and 18 for 92 vs. Georgia Southern) for the first time since 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) –
ULM Offense: 4 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
ULM Defense: 4 seniors, 1 junior, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
Liberty Offense: 7 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Liberty Defense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after four games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (47 carries for 148 yards, 3.1 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (97 of 153 for 1,043 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (16 catches for 174 yards, 10.9 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (33 tackles, 11 solos, 22 assists, 2.0 TFL, 3 QB hurries)

Liberty (after three games):
Rushing – Joshua Mack (52 carries for 337 yards, 6.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Malik Willis (37 of 51 for 418 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving – DJ Stubbs (15 catches for 177 yards, 11.8 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Anthony Butler (21 tackles, 9 solos, 12 assists, 2.5 TFL, 2 interceptions)

STAT COMPARISON –
                                       ULM            LU
Scoring                            15.0           31.3
First Downs                     16.0           26.7
Total Offense                  315.8          4570
Rushing Yards                 50.8          274.3
Passing Yards                 265.0          182.7
Time of Possession         25:29          33:23
Third Down Conversions   .245           .488
Points Allowed                 35.2           21.7
Total Offense Allowed     436.8          280.7
Rushing Yards Allowed    282.8          113.7
Passing Yards Allowed    154.0          167.0

ULM/LIBERTY SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between ULM and Liberty.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
Georgia Southern 35, ULM 30 (Oct. 3, 2020, in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM came a long way back only to fall inches short Saturday night at Malone Stadium.

As time expired, quarterback Colby Suits was stopped short on a first-and-goal scramble from the 9 and the Warhawks dropped a 35-30 decision to Georgia Southern.

The game appeared headed for a blowout in the third quarter when Georgia Southern blocked a punt and scored a touchdown to take an 18-point lead. But the Warhawks got two big stops from the defense and scored on two consecutive possessions to rally.

Before his final run, Suits converted a fourth-and-6 with 23 seconds with a scramble out of bounds down to the 9. Suits met two defenders on the last play at the 2-yard line and stretched toward the goal but was ruled down as the clock hit 0:00.

After a lengthy review, the call stood and the Warhawks fell to 0-4, 0-2 in the Sun Belt.

Suits completed 31-of-54 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover and led ULM with 51 rushing yards on seven carries. ULM outgained Georgia Southern 426 to 369 and finished 5-of-5 on fourth-down conversions.

Josh Johnson rushed for 40 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns and had five catches for 25 yards and another score.

Georgia Southern running back J.D. King was a royal pain for ULM for most of the game as he battered the Warhawks for 196 rushing yards and a touchdown. Georgia Southern (2-1, 1-1 Sun Belt) rode its triple option attack to 340 rushing yards overall while also benefitting from a shaky performance by ULM special teams.

In addition to difficulties stopping the Eagles' ground game, ULM had two punts blocked, with one recovered for a touchdown and missed a PAT.

Despite their troubles, the Warhawks made it interesting late by cutting the lead to five with less than five minutes left in the game.

ULM's defense stiffened in the fourth quarter, using a big sack by Ivin White Jr. to force Georgia Southern's second punt and give the Warhawks a chance to make noise on offense.

ULM capitalized with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Johnson smashing into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, his second on the ground and third of the game. ULM trailed 35-30 with 4:59 remaining.

White came up big again with KeyShawn Johnson on a third-down tackle that forced a Georgia Southern punt with 2:42 to go.

The Warhawks started their final drive at their own 27 and crossed midfield on a 22-yard pass to Jevin Frett. Suits was hit as he threw incomplete to Chandler Whitfield in the end zone on third-and-6 from the 16, prior to converting on fourth down. ULM moved 72 yards in 13 plays before Suits gained 8 yards on his last run.

ULM, which hasn't led in a game this season, was playing from behind from the start.

The Eagles needed three King carries to cover 68 yards and score on their opening drive. King's 62-yard run set up his 3-yard touchdown as Georgia Southern went up 7-0 with 11:25 to go in the first quarter.

A sequence of special teams plays, one bad and one good, set up ULM's first score.

After another quick defensive stop on ULM's second series, the Eagles partially blocked Daniel Sparks' punt and took over at the 50. But ULM's defense hung tough, then the Warhawks sniffed out and stuffed a fake punt to take over at their own 43.

ULM converted a fourth-and-7 with a 22-yard Josh Pederson catch to keep the nine-play, 40-yard drive alive. Davis Hughes booted a 34-yard field goal with 3:21 left in the opening period for a 7-3 score.

Early in the second quarter, King converted on third-and-8 with a 41-yard run and topped 100 yards on just his fourth carry of the game. Wesley Kennedy's 4-yard touchdown run capped Georgia Southern's second scoring march and extended the lead to 14-3 with 12:47 to go.

Johnson dodged a defender and scored his first touchdown of the season with a nifty 26-yard run at the 10:04 mark and pulled ULM within 14-10. Johnson also contributed a 14-yard rush and Suits was 3-for-3 for 34 yards on the six-play, 72-yard drive.

Georgia Southern chewed up most of the remaining second quarter with a 75-yard, 15-play drive that consumed 8:27 off the clock. Kennedy's 5-yard rushing touchdown put the Eagles ahead 21-10 with 1:37 left before the half.

That was enough time for the Warhawks to collect points and pick up steam before the break. Suits had ULM on the 2-yard line with three seconds to go, where the Warhawks went for the touchdown instead of the kick. Suits, who completed 4-of-4 passes for 50 yards, hit Malik Jackson as time expired for a 21-17 halftime score.

The Eagles came out of the locker room with another strong offensive series to crank up the third quarter. Georgia Southern extended its lead to 28-17 on Logan Wright's 17-yard touchdown run, ending a nine-play, 75-yard drive.

NaJee Thompson's second blocked punt against ULM turned into a quick Georgia Southern touchdown with 5:30 left. After a three-and-out series stalled at the ULM 18, Thompson batted down Sparks' punt and Rashad Byrd recovered in the end zone for a 35-17 advantage.

ULM's offense finally found a spark again on the next trip out while converting two fourth downs on the way to the end zone. Suits found tight end Tyler Lamm on a career-long 28-yard reception on fourth-and-2 from the ULM 45, then converted fourth-and-4 with a 6-yard pass to Malik Jackson before connecting with Johnson for a 2-yard touchdown reception, the first of the running back's career. The missed PAT by Hughes left ULM trailing 35-23 with 29 seconds to burn in the third with a pivotal fourth quarter to come.

QUICK HITTERS –
• Sophomore quarterback Colby Suits sports a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3-to-1 (6: 2). ... His 45 completions of 10 or more yards rank second in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, trailing only SMU's Shane Buechele's 46. ... Forty-five of his 97 completions (46 percent) have resulted in first downs. ... Suits has 27 completions of 15 or more yards, including six for 25 or more yards.

• Sophomore Jahquan Bloomfield (8 receptions for 173 yards) ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 19 in the NCAA FBS, averaging 21.6 yards per reception.

• Fifth-year senior Tyler Glass earned his first start of the season at free safety against Georgia Southern and finished with a team-high 10 tackles (5 solos, 5 assists). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Glass reached double figures in tackles for the third time in his career.

• In his first career start against Georgia Southern, sophomore Sir'Darrius Ellis recorded a career-high eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists). Ellis replaced veteran Mason Husmann, who suffered a pectoral injury against UTEP, in the starting lineup at nose tackle. His previous best effort came in the season opener at Army when he contributed four stops (2-2).

PEDERSON APPROACHES 1,000-YARD CAREER RECEIVING MILESTONE –
Through four games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 16 receptions for 174 yards (10.9 avg.). Nine of his 16 catches (56 percent) have resulted in first downs. His receptions (tied for third) and receiving yards (tied for seventh) rank among the Top 10 totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson needs just 2 more receiving yards to become only the fifth tight end in ULM history to reach the 1,000-yard career milestone (Jackie Harris, 1986-89: 2,149 career receiving yards; Joey Evans, 1981-84: 1,764; Bobby Craighead, 1980-83: 1,095; and Fred Coleman, 1973-74: 1,080). In 38 career games, the fifth-year senior has 83 career receptions for 998 yards (12.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.

Despite missing the entire fourth quarter with a sprained ankle against Georgia Southern, he still managed three receptions for 53 yards. His 22-yard sliding grab – off a deflection from Eagle cornerback Ephraim Kitchen Jr. – on a fourth-and-7 play helped set up a field goal late in the first quarter. Pederson also hooked up with Colby Suits for a 25-yard gain on a TD drive to close out the first half, as ULM cut its halftime deficit to 21-17.

He has led the team in receptions in two of the first four games in 2020.

Pederson 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 16 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 20 consecutive starts at tight end is the team's longest active streak
.
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.

JOHNSON SCORES CAREER-BEST THREE TOUCHDOWNS IN HOMECOMING GAME –
Fifth-year senior Josh Johnson accounted for a career-best three touchdowns in ULM's 35-30 Homecoming loss to Georgia Southern. Johnson finished off a six-play, 72-yard drive with a 26-yard TD run around left end early in the second quarter. Late in the third quarter, he slipped out of the backfield to score the first receiving TD of his career on a 2-yard toss from Colby Suits, closing out a 13-play, 73-yard drive. Johnson capped off an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard TD plunge off right guard with 4:59 left in the fourth quarter, as the Warhawks pulled to within five points after trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.

It marked his fifth career multi-TD game. His 14 career rushing TDs are tied for No. 14 on ULM's all-time list.

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 four starts, Colby Suits has completed 97-of-153 throws for 1,043 yards, six TDs and two interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (260.8 per game) and ranks among the league leaders in touchdown passes (second with 6), total offense (second at 268.5 ypg.), completion percentage (fourth at .634) and passing efficiency (eighth with a 131.0 rating). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 in passing yards (fifth with 1,043), completions per game (ninth at 24.25), passing TDs (No. 15), passing yards per game (No. 18), completion percentage (No. 25) and points responsible for (No. 25 at 36).

He ranks as one of three NCAA FBS quarterbacks with at least 30 completions in multiple games this season, joining Mississippi State's K.J. Costello and Texas Tech's Alan Bowman.

Suits accounted for a season-high 385 yards total offense in ULM's 35-30 Homecoming loss to Georgia Southern. He completed 31-of-54 throws for 334 yards, including a pair of 2-yard TD tosses to Malik Jackson and Josh Johnson. Suits, who completed passes to 10 different receivers, went 18-of-33 for 184 yards in the second half. He also led the team in rushing against the Eagles, with seven carries for 51 yards. His 17-yard run on a fourth-and-7 play late in the first half kept an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive alive. He directed a 13-play, 72-yard drive in the closing minutes but was stopped inches short of a game-winning TD on his 8-yard scramble as time expired.

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 (fifth), 377 passing yards (13th) and 384 yards total offense (13th) are among the best 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.

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.

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 (5th with 1,043 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Colby Suits (18th at 260.8 passing yards per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Colby Suits (25th at .634 completion percentage)
Pass Completions Per Game: Colby Suits (9th with 24.25 completions per game)
Passing Touchdowns: Colby Suits (15th with 6 passing TDs)
Total Offense: Colby Suits (24th at 268.5 yards total offense per game)
Yards Per Reception: Jahquan Bloomfield (19th at 21.63 yards per reception)
Receiving Touchdowns: Malik Jackson (28th with 2 TD receptions)
Total Touchdowns: Josh Johnson (34th with 3 total TDs)
Points Responsible For: Colby Suits (25th with 36 points)
Combined Kick Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (1st at 275 combined kick return yards)
Kickoff Returns: Isaiah Phillips (27th at 21.2 yards per kickoff return)
Field-Goal Percentage: Davis Hughes (33rd at .667)
Fumbles Forced: Keilos Swinney (7th at 0.5 forced fumbles per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Jahquan Bloomfield/Mason Husmann/Keilos Swinney (t-5th 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: 52 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-3 / 12-12
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: 0-1 / 5-11
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: 0-4 / 2-32
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-4 / 7-28

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter: 0-4 / 4-25
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-4 / 2-32
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 1-1

Overtime games: 0-0 / 2-1

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 0-2 / 13-6
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: 0-3 / 6-29

When outrushing opponent: 0-0 / 13-5
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-4 / 6-28

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-2 / 13-22
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-2 / 11-25

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-2 / 15-8
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: 0-3 / 8-26
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0/ 0-0

SUN BELT "BE THE CHANGE" INITIATIVE –
In his "I have a Dream" speech made 57 years ago on Aug. 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. declared, "Now is the time to rise from the dark … to the sunlit path of racial justice." The Sun Belt Conference is providing its student-athletes, coaches, and staff with a path for promoting racial equity through its "BE THE CHANGE" initiative.

The SBC's initiative will include educational webinars, visits to sites on the Sun Belt Conference Civil Rights Trail, and "BE THE CHANGE" emblems to remind each individual that they have the ability to make a difference. Our members will take the day off from athletics activity on Election Day. And leading up to Nov. 3, our members will also compete in a voter registration drive.

"We responded to events last June with a racial equity call to action. Our goal is to help educate our Sun Belt Conference student-athletes, staff and communities as they engage in racial justice issues,'" Commissioner Keith Gill said. "Their participation in our 'BE THE CHANGE' initiative will help them to become civically-minded now as students and throughout their lives following college athletics."

All of these efforts support the Sun Belt Conference's racial equity call to action made in June. The statement referred to three pillars: education of American history including the fight for civil rights, civic engagement around voting and creating dialog with law enforcement in each community.

The Sun Belt Conference has partnered with Secure the Ballot to create dashboards to assist student-athletes, coaches, administrators and entire campuses with voter registration, requesting absentee ballots and confirming registration status.

SAAC members at each institution are competing in registration drives to generate a critical mass of voters. The Secure the Ballot voter registration competition among Sun Belt Conference members began on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and ends on Monday, Oct. 26.

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