ULM Prepares for Sun Belt Clash at Georgia State

Football Nov 04

Game 8: ULM (0-7, 0-4 Sun Belt) vs. Georgia State (2-3, 1-3 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 12:05 p.m. ET/11:05 a.m. CT
Atlanta, Ga. | Center Parc Stadium (25,000)
Watch: ESPN3 | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 8 vs. Georgia State

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the sixth meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 3-2, including a 1-1 record in games played in Atlanta. Last November, ULM ended a two-game losing streak against the Panthers, with a 45-31 win in Malone Stadium.

Last season, Caleb Evans accounted for 401 yards total offense and four touchdowns while Josh Johnson rushed for 168 yards and two scores to lead ULM to a 45-31 win over Georgia State.

Evans completed 24-of-32 throws for 291 yards, including TD strikes of 43 yards to Josh Pederson and 1 and 14 yards to Markis McCray. He also carried 16 times for 110 yards, including a 16-yard TD run.

Johnson scored on runs of 10 and 30 yards.

• ULM's 12 regular-season opponents have a combined record of 40-32 (.556) against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition in 2020 and comprise the nation's 33rd-most difficult schedule, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' first seven opponents have a combined record of 22-17 (.564).

• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 12 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in passing defense, allowing 176.3 yards per game.

• In seven starts, Colby Suits has completed 152-of-246 throws for 1,541 yards, eight TDs and six interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (1,541) and 300-yard passing games (tied for first with 2) while ranking second in completions per game (21.7), fourth in passing yards per game (220.1 ypg.), fourth in total offense (228.7 ypg.) and fifth in completion percentage (.618). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 50 in passing yards (15th), completions per game (21st), passing yards per game (45th) and completion percentage (50th).

He ranks as one of six NCAA FBS quarterbacks with at least 30 completions in multiple games this season, joining Mississippi State's K.J. Costello (3), Texas Tech's Alan Bowman (2), West Virginia's Jarret Doege (2), Central Florida's Dillon Gabriel (2) and Temple's Anthony Russo (2).

Suits recorded his third 200-yard passing game of the season at South Alabama, hitting 23-of-34 throws for 286 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He completed passes to 10 different receivers against the Jaguars.

• 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, six Warhawks have at least 14 receptions, including Josh Pederson (24 catches for 292 yards), Josh Johnson (16 for 60), Jevin Frett (15 for 250), Chandler Whitfield (15 for 97), Jonathan Hodoh (14 for 125) and Malik Jackson (14 for 120). In addition, seven different receivers have a touchdown reception.

• Through seven games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 24 receptions for 292 yards (12.2 avg.). Fifteen of his 24 catches (63 percent) have resulted in first downs. Pederson has been Colby Suits' favorite target in four of the first seven games. His receptions (tied for fifth) and receiving yards (seventh) rank among the Top 10 totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

With his 21-yard reception from Colby Suits on a third-and-8 play midway through the third quarter at Liberty, Pederson became 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). The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson has 91 career receptions for 1,116 yards (12.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 41 games.

Pederson, who has caught at least one pass in 19 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 23 consecutive starts at tight end is the team's longest active streak.

• Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks in tackles (56 total: 24 solos, 32 assists) and quarterback hurries (4) while ranking second on the team in tackles for loss (4.5 for 16 yards). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranks tied for third in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.0 per game. He has led the team in tackles in four of the first seven games, including two double-digit efforts.

Webster registered nine tackles against Appalachian State and matched his career high with 11 stops at South Alabama, with two resulting in losses (11 yards) including a 10-yard sack.

The Longview, Texas, native paced the Warhawks 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.

• Fifth-year defensive end Ty Shelby leads the Warhawks in tackles for loss (6 for 14 yards) and ranks second in sacks (2 for 2 yards). Shelby ranks among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in tackles for loss (tied for seventh). In addition, he leads the ULM defensive linemen and ranks sixth on the team with 32 tackles (13 solos, 19 assists).

The 6-foot-4, 252-pound Shelby contributed four tackles against Appalachian State, including one behind the line of scrimmage. He made five solo stops at Liberty, including a career-high three tackles for loss (10 yards), and posted a career-best eight stops (2-6) against Georgia Southern.

Shelby, who was sidelined for ULM's season opener at Army, returned to the starting lineup against Texas State and registered seven tackles, with two resulting in losses including a sack.

• Isaiah Phillips ranks among the NCAA FBS leaders in kickoff return yards (fifth with 382) and kickoff return average (46th at 19.1 yards per return). The 5-foot-7, 192-pound sophomore leads ULM with 12 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 seven consecutive games (20 rushes for 37 yards at Army; 26 for 67 vs. Texas State; 14 for 7 vs. UTEP; 18 for 92 vs. Georgia Southern; 26 for 78 at Liberty; and 27 for 94 at South Alabama). It marks the most sub 100-yard rushing games by the Warhawks since the 2015 season (7 times: 1-6 record in those games).

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

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after seven games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (77 carries for 270 yards, 3.5 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (152 of 246 for 1,541 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (24 catches for 292 yards, 12.2 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (56 tackles, 24 solos, 32 assists, 4.5 TFL, 4 QB hurries)

Georgia State (after five games):
Rushing – Destin Coates (93 carries for 434 yards, 4.7 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Cornelious Brown IV (84 of 142 for 947 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving – Sam Pickney (24 catches for 369 yards, 15.4 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles – Antavious Lane (35 tackles, 29 solos, 6 assists, 2 inteceptions, 5 PBUs)

ULM/GEORGIA STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the sixth meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 3-2, including a 1-1 record in games played in Atlanta. Last November, ULM ended a two-game losing streak against the Panthers, with a 45-31 win in Malone Stadium.

THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 45, Georgia State 31 (Nov. 9, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM was in a rush to turn the page when the team hit the field last Saturday.

Running back Josh Johnson ran 20 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns as the Warhawks knocked off Georgia State 45-31 at Malone Stadium.

Johnson recorded his fifth 100-yard game of the season while becoming ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin (219 rushes for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs) in 2009.

ULM quarterback Caleb Evans added 110 rushing yards and a score and passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns for a balanced ULM attack that delivered 590 yards of total offense.

The Warhawks (4-5, 3-2) had lost two straight Sun Belt games, including a disappointing 48-41 home decision to Arkansas State last week, but their chances to reach bowl eligibility were still there. Further, ULM hadn't forgotten a stinging loss at Georgia State last year.

ULM needed all the firepower it could muster to outlast Georgia State (6-3, 3-2), which rushed for 414 yards as two runners also exceeded 100 yards. Tra Barnett dazzled with 190 yards and two TDs and Destin Coates added 119 yards and one score.

Star quarterback Dan Ellington, who left the game with an apparent right knee injury in the second quarter, rushed for 91 yards on nine carries.

The contest swung back and forth all afternoon as the teams traded scores. Overall, there were eight lead changes and two ties in the Sun Belt shootout. However, GSU's last four possessions resulted in a punt, a lost fumble and two turnovers on downs.

ULM went ahead for good at 38-31 when Evans flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Markis McCray with 7:40 left in the game to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive.

The first half featured more go than stops for the two potent offenses.

Georgia State scored on its first series with a 39-yard field goal by Brandon Wright. The Panthers churned out 45 yards on 12 plays to take the 3-0 lead.

Evans ran in a 16-yard touchdown with 5:59 left in the first quarter to put ULM ahead 7-3. A 30-yard catch by a wide-open Jonathan Hodoh was instrumental on the nine-play, 77-yard drive.

Coates split ULM's defense on a 37-yard touchdown run as Georgia State answered with 3:25 showing in the first to go up 10-7.

Tight end Josh Pederson's seventh touchdown catch of the year covered a career-long 43 yards from Evans as ULM regained the lead 14-10. ULM needed just five plays for the 94-yard drive that also featured a 36-yard run by Johnson. The touchdown pass was No. 50 in Evans' career and also moved him past Steven Jyles and into second place for career total yardage at ULM.

Trading big plays, Georgia State picked off Evans and converted the takeaway into points three plays later as Ellington scampered 40 yards for a touchdown. The successful three-play, 59-yard drive put the Panthers ahead 17-14 with 12:54 left in the half.

ULM's offense responded again, answering with Johnson's 10-yard touchdown run to conclude a nine-play, 75-yard movement. Evans scrambled for 7 yards on third-and-6 from the GSU 21 to keep the drive moving as ULM jumped ahead 21-17 with 9:28 to play.

The scoring frenzy continued as Georgia State reclaimed the lead on Barnett's 1-yard touchdown run. The Panthers led 24-21 after their 12-play, 75-yard drive.

ULM tied the game at 24-24 right before the half. Jared Porter's 31-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining came at the end of an 11-play, 61-yard march.

Georgia State's dynamic quarterback Ellington went down with a leg injury with 32 seconds left in the half and needed assistance to leave the field.

In the first half, ULM rang up 332 yards total offense, with 170 passing and 162 rushing. Johnson posted 93 yards rushing while Evans ran for 64 and threw for 170.

With red-shirt freshman Cornelious Brown into the game at quarterback for the second half, Georgia State still moved the ball but ULM's Larance Shaw blocked a field-goal attempt on the opening series.

After recovering at their 18, the Warhawks quickly flipped the field with a 46-yard pass from Evans to Zach Jackson. Johnson then raced 30 yards for his second touchdown to give ULM the 31-24 advantage.

Barnett's 7-yard touchdown run tied the game at 31-31 with 8:24 remaining in the third. The Panthers ran on all eight plays of a 75-yard drive, including a 41-yard jaunt by Coates.

After the McCray touchdown, the defense delivered a takeaway when Chase Day forced a Barnett fumble, which was recovered by Traveion Webster at the ULM 36. Although, the offense went three and out and couldn't make it count, it was one of the key plays for a defense that did its part late in the game.

McCray's second touchdown catch of the game came with 2:46 remaining and sealed ULM's win. The senior used his speed to reach the end zone on a 14-yard reception from Evans.

THE LAST MEETING IN CENTER PARC STADIUM –
Georgia State 46, ULM 14 (Sept. 29, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga.): No sugarcoating this one.

ULM turned in a disappointing performance with a 46-14 loss at Georgia State.

The Warhawks lost their third straight game overall after a 2-0 start to the season while falling to 0-2 in the Sun Belt Conference.

A woeful first half saw ULM give up 355 yards on defense and commit three turnovers on offense while falling behind 30-14 at Georgia State Stadium.

But the second half wasn't any better and the Warhawks never rallied the way they did a week before after falling behind to Troy. ULM managed just one first down in the final two quarters and punted on six of seven series amid a flurry of three-and-outs.

Georgia State (2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt) set a team rushing record with 308 yards on the ground. The Panthers tallied 487 yards overall in a dominant outing.

ULM managed just 262 yards of total offense, committed four turnovers and was just 2-of-11 on third-down conversions with eight punts. Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 19-of-32 attempts for 136 yards, had two interceptions and scored both of his team's touchdowns on the ground.

The Panthers scored on their opening drive, utilizing a 56-yard pass from Dan Ellington to Dan Pinkney to the ULM 2. The big play set up a 2-yard run by Ellington to give Georgia State a 7-0 lead with 11:55 to go in the first quarter. The drive covered 75 yards in eight plays.

ULM's first try didn't go as well as Evans had a tipped ball intercepted by Jhi'Shawn Taylor. The Panthers took over at their own 40 and scored eight plays later as Tra Barnett bolted unscathed up the middle for a 23-yard touchdown. Georgia State led 14-0 with 7:18 left in the quarter.

ULM responded quickly as Evans legged out a 21-yard touchdown to narrow the gap to 14-7 at the 4:26 mark. ULM's drive covered 72 yards in seven plays.

Georgia State carried a scoring drive into the second quarter to go ahead 20-7 with 13 minutes left in the half. Ellington converted a fourth-and-6 along the way and then hit tight end Roger Carter for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers misfired on the PAT.

Seth Paige set a school record as he scored on an 82-yard run on his first rushing attempt as Georgia State scored on its fourth-straight possession and extended the home lead to 27-7 with 11:48 to go in the second quarter.

Running back Kayin White seemingly gave the ULM offense a spark with a career-best 43-yard run but he lost control of the ball and fumbled through the end zone for a touchback and second turnover.

The beleaguered ULM defense came through one play later though as Chase Day forced Ellington to fumble and Cortez Sisco Jr. recovered at the Panthers 42. Four plays later, Evans kept the ball on a fake end-around and ran in from 12 yards for his second touchdown and a 27-14 score with 9:34 remaining in the first half.

First-half woes continued though for the visitors. After forcing Georgia State's first punt, the Warhawks committed a third turnover as tight end Sloan Spiller fumbled after a 3-yard reception at the ULM 46. The Panthers parlayed the miscue into points five plays later as Brandon Wright booted a 42-yard field goal for a 30-14 lead before the break.

Georgia State continued its dominance in the third quarter with a grueling 15-play, 90-yard series to go up 36-14. After a 31-yard rush, Paige took the ball again on the next play and scored from 1 yard out with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Paige finished with 145 yards on nine carries with two TDs.

The Panthers extended their lead to 39-14 as Wright kicked a 35-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter.

Also in the fourth quarter, Penny Hart made school history for Georgia State with his 49-punt return for a TD, the first in the program's nine years of existence to give the Panthers a 46-14 lead.

SLOW STARTS PLAGUE WARHAWKS –
• The Warhawks have been victimized by slow starts in 2020. ULM has been outscored, 155-51, in the first half of its first seven games, including 87-10 in the first quarter.

• The Warhawks have not held the lead in a game this season.

• ULM has not scored on its first possession this season, including five three-and-outs in seven games. The last time ULM scored on its opening series came against Coastal Carolina in Game 11 last season (5 plays for 67 yards: touchdown).

ULM'S 2020 SCHEDULE RANKS AS THE NATION'S 33RD-MOST DIFFICULT –
ULM's 12 regular-season opponents have a combined record of 40-32 (.556) against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition in 2020 and comprise the nation's 33rd-most difficult schedule, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' first seven opponents have a combined record of 22-17 (.564).

THE LAST TIME OUT –
Appalachian State 31, ULM 13 (Oct. 31, 2020, in Monroe, La.): ULM couldn't scare up its first win of the season in a Halloween afternoon affair at Malone Stadium.

Appalachian State rushed for 328 yards against the Warhawks and rolled to a 31-13 win. ULM fell to 0-7, 0-4 in the Sun Belt Conference.

Quarterback Zac Thomas, who improved to 27-4 as a starter, rushed for 109 yards and running back Marcus Williams added 103 yard to pace the Mountaineers (4-1, 2-0). App State tallied 480 total yards with 26 first downs in an overpowering performance.

The Warhawks managed 222 yards with 16 first downs while committing three turnovers. Quarterback Colby Suits entered the game leading the Sun Belt in passing but completed 19-of-30 attempts for 131 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jeremy Hunt also saw action at quarterback, completing 3-of-9 passes for 20 yards and two picks.

ULM, which hasn't held a lead through seven games, trailed by 14 points after one quarter and suffered a significant setback when starting running back Josh Johnson went down early in the contest.

A promising start turned to disappointment early for ULM. Cornerback Josh Newton made his first career interception near the end zone to stop App State's initial drive and returned it 35 yards to the ULM 37. The positive vibe disappeared quickly as Johnson went down untouched clutching the back of his leg at the end of a 21-yard run on ULM's ensuing drive, which sputtered quickly after the deflating injury.

App State's next series was an efficient 11-play, 80-yard march concluded by Camerun Peoples' 1-yard touchdown run. The Mountaineers led 7-0 with 5:12 to go in the first quarter.

Marcus Williams raced 48 yards to cap a two-play, 54-yard drive to give App State the 14-0 advantage with 3:11 showing in the first. Although both teams ran 16 plays in the first quarter, the Mountaineers outgained ULM with 159 yards to 55, with 151 rushing.

The Warhawks finally finished off a fruitful drive in the second quarter, moving 76 yards in 17 plays and scoring on Perry Carter's 2-yard sweep around right end. ULM converted on third down twice and once on fourth down to reduce the lead to 14-7 with 9:30 remaining before the half.

App State treated itself to another touchdown and snuffed out ULM's momentum with a trick play. The Mountaineers climbed ahead 21-7 on a flea-flicker pass from Thomas to Christian Wells with 5:24 left in the second quarter. App State converted a fourth down to keep its eight-play, 80-yard drive alive.

ULM's defense kept the deficit to two scores with a goal-line stand to end the first half.

App State drove to the 2-yard line in the waning seconds of the second quarter, but ULM's Keilos Swinney tackled Thomas on the 3 and time expired before the Mountaineers could run another play.

The Mountaineers made up for the missed opportunity by opening the third quarter with a quick five-play, 65-yard scoring drive to push the lead to 28-7. Thomas tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Malik Williams with 12:46 to go in the period.

Turnovers kept ULM from staging any kind of second-half comeback.

Suits threw an interception on ULM's first offensive series of the second half, but the Warhawks held on fourth down at their own 20 to stop another App State drive.

Hunt came in at quarterback on ULM's next offensive possession, but App State's Brendan Harrington intercepted him at the Warhawks' 39. ULM's defense held though and forced App State's first punt with 5:27 left in the third.

With 13:13 to go in the game, App State's Chandler Staton kicked a 38-yard field goal to cap 10-play, 29-yard drive and increase the lead to 31-7.

Suits managed a scoring drive to end the game, directing the offense 74 yards in 10 plays over the last 2:38 of the contest. Suits hit Malik Jackson in the end zone as time expired. The Warhawks didn't attempt a PAT after the final play.

PEDERSON ESTABLISHES HIMSELF AS ONE OF NATION'S ELITE TIGHT ENDS –
Through seven games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 24 receptions for 292 yards (12.2 avg.). Fifteen of his 24 catches (63 percent) have resulted in first downs. Pederson has been Colby Suits' favorite target in four of the first seven games. His receptions (tied for fifth) and receiving yards (seventh) rank among the Top 10 totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

With his 21-yard reception from Colby Suits on a third-and-8 play midway through the third quarter at Liberty, Pederson became 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). The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson has 91 career receptions for 1,116 yards (12.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 41 games.

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.

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 19 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 23 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 CONTINUES TO CLIMB ULM'S ALL-TIME RUSHING LIST –
Fifth-year senior Josh Johnson leads the team in rushing yards (270) and rushing touchdowns (3).

Johnson already ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in rushing average (fourth at 5.51 yards per carry), rushing TDs (tied for 12th with 15) and rushing yards (14th with 1,637).

He accounted for a career-best three touchdowns in ULM's 35-30 Homecoming loss to Georgia Southern. It marked his fifth career multi-TD game. 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.

Last season, Johnson ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 13th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing, averaging 108.2 yards per game.

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 seven 100-yard rushing games in 2019 while becoming ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin (219 rushes for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs) in 2009.

SUITS REPLACES THREE-YEAR STARTER EVANS AT QUARTERBACK –
In seven starts, Colby Suits has completed 152-of-246 throws for 1,541 yards, eight TDs and six interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (1,541) and 300-yard passing games (tied for first with 2) while ranking second in completions per game (21.7), fourth in passing yards per game (220.1 ypg.), fourth in total offense (228.7 ypg.) and fifth in completion percentage (.618). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 50 in passing yards (15th), completions per game (21st), passing yards per game (45th) and completion percentage (50th).

He ranks as one of six NCAA FBS quarterbacks with at least 30 completions in multiple games this season, joining Mississippi State's K.J. Costello (3), Texas Tech's Alan Bowman (2), West Virginia's Jarret Doege (2), Central Florida's Dillon Gabriel (2) and Temple's Anthony Russo (2).

Suits recorded his third 200-yard passing game of the season at South Alabama, hitting 23-of-34 throws for 286 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He completed passes to 10 different receivers against the Jaguars.

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 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 (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 50)
Passing Yards: Colby Suits (15th with 1,541 passing yards)
Passing Yards per Game: Colby Suits (45th at 220.1 passing yards per game)
Pass Completions per Game: Colby Suits (21st with 21.7 completions per game)
Completion Percentage: Colby Suits (50th at .618 completion percentage)
Passing Touchdowns: Colby Suits (35th with 8 passing TDs)
Kickoff Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (5th with 382 kickoff return yards)
Kickoff Returns: Isaiah Phillips (46th at 19.1 yards per kickoff return)
Fumbles Recovered: Jahquan Bloomfield/Mason Husmann/Tyler Johnson/Keilos Swinney/Traveion Webster (t-24th with 1 fumble recovery)

ULM SEEKS TO PLAY FULL 12-GAME SLATE IN 2020 –
ULM is one of four NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams scheduled to play 12-games in 2020, joining Texas State, Troy 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 returned 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: 55 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-4 / 12-13
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-3 / 7-23

Games played in August: 0-0 / 2-1
Games played in September: 0-3 / 5-11
Games played in October: 0-4 / 5-14
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: 0-7 / 2-35
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-7 / 7-31

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter: 0-7 / 4-28
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-7 / 2-35
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: 0-4 / 5-27
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-1 / 2-3

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 14-9
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-4 / 6-30

When outrushing opponent: 0-0 / 13-5
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-7 / 6-31

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-3 / 13-23
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-4 / 11-27

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-2 / 15-8
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-5 / 4-28

When leading in time of possession: 0-1 / 11-7
When trailing in time of possession: 0-6 / 8-29
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0 / 0-0

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