ULM Seeks to End Skid at Nemesis Arkansas State

Football Dec 04

Game 10: ULM (0-9, 0-6 Sun Belt) vs. Arkansas State (3-7, 1-6 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 2:05 p.m. CT
Jonesboro, Ark. | Centennial Bank Stadium (30,382)
Watch: ESPN3 | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 10 vs. Arkansas State

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 42nd meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 27-14, including a 16-5 record in games played in Jonesboro, Ark. Arkansas State has won 10 in a row and 11 out of the last 13 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks have lost seven-straight games in Jonesboro, with their last victory coming on Nov. 17, 2001, 16-7.

With 41 previous meetings, Arkansas State ranks fifth among ULM's all-time opponents in games played, trailing only the Ragin' Cajuns (56), Northwestern State (48), Louisiana Tech and McNeese State (43 each). The ULM-A-State series began in 1959.

• With the combination of COVID-19 positive tests/contact tracing, injuries and opt outs, ULM has utilized 23 first-time starters this season. That total ranks fourth among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs, trailing only Army and Navy (25 each) and Air Force (24).

Based upon ULM's depth chart for Saturday's game at Arkansas State, three more first-time starters will join the list: Mike linebacker Tralon Thomas, Buck safety Zac Gulley and cornerback Chancellor Hitchens.

• ULM's active roster features two players from the state of Arkansas, including red-shirt freshman defensive tackle Kevin Pointer (Jonesboro/Jonesboro Senior) and red-shirt freshman running back Kadyn Roach (Magnolia).

• ULM rushed 32 times for a season-high 125 yards in the 2020 home finale against the No. 23/24 Ragin' Cajuns. Red-shirt freshman Kadyn Roach paced the Warhawk ground attack with seven carries for a career-best 65 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per attempt.

ULM failed to reach 100 rushing yards in eight consecutive games to open the season: 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; 27 for 94 at South Alabama; and 27 for 85 at Georgia State. It marked the most sub 100-yard rushing games by the Warhawks since the 2014 season (9 times: 2-7 record in those games).

• The home finale against the Ragin' Cajuns marked ULM's first game in 21 days, matching its longest layoff since late in the 2005 season (21-day break between home games against Troy on Oct. 15 and FIU on Nov. 5). The 3-week hiatus in 2005 resulted from schedule adjustments made following the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

• ULM's first nine regular-season opponents have a combined record of 49-39 (.557) against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition in 2020 and comprise the Sun Belt Conference's third-most difficult schedule overall, trailing only Texas State (.587/64-45) and Arkansas State (.568/54-41).

• Junior quarterback Jeremy Hunt came off the bench to set career highs for pass attempts (26), pass completions (39), passing yards (339) and touchdown passes (3) at Georgia State. Hunt, who directed five scoring drives, completed TD passes 50 and 39 yards to Perry Carter Jr. and 4 yards to Charles Norman. He also carried nine times for 15 yards to finish with 354 yards total offense.

The transfer from Trinity Valley Community College will make his second-straight start against at Arkansas State.

• Through nine games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 30 receptions for 343 yards (11.4 avg.). Eighteen of his 30 catches (60 percent) have resulted in first downs. Pederson has been ULM's favorite target in five of the first nine games. His receptions (tied for eighth) and receiving yards (13th) rank among the top totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

With his 21-yard reception 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 97 career receptions for 1,167 yards (12.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 43 games.

Pederson, who has caught at least one pass in 21 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 25 consecutive starts at tight end is the team's longest active streak.

• Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks in tackles (76 total: 33 solos, 43 assists), tackles for loss (6.5 for 18 yards) and quarterback hurries (5). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.4 per game. He has led the team in tackles in five of the first nine games, including three double-digit efforts.

Webster contributed nine stops against the No. 23/24 Ragin' Cajuns and recovered a fumbled punt at the ULL 1-yard line late in the first quarter to set up the Warhawks' first touchdown.

He matched his career highs for tackles (11) and tackles for loss (2 for 2 yards) at Georgia State while also being credited with one quarterback hurry.

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 is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (6.5 for 14 yards) and ranks second in sacks (2 for 2 yards). His tackles for loss and sacks represent career highs. In addition, Shelby leads the ULM defensive linemen and ranks seventh on the team with 35 tackles (13 solos, 22 assists). His 35 stops match his 12-game total from the 2019 season.

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.

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

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after nine games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (77 carries for 270 yards, 3.5 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (152 of 249 for 1,541 yards, 8 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (30 catches for 343 yards, 11.4 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (76 tackles, 33 solos, 43 assists, 6.5 TFL, 5 QB hurries)

Arkansas State (after 10 games):
Rushing – Jamal Jones (118 carries for 545 yards, 4.6 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Layne Hatcher (105 of 180 for 1,732 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Jonathan Adams (79 catches for 1,111 yards, 14.1 avg., 12 TDs)
Tackles – Justin Rice (76 tackles, 57 solos, 19 assists, 18.5 TFL, 7.0 sacks)

ULM/A-STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 42nd meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 27-14, including a 16-5 record in games played in Jonesboro, Ark. Arkansas State has won 10 in a row and 11 out of the last 13 meetings. ULM's last win in the series came on Oct. 13, 2009, 16-10, in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks have lost seven-straight games in Jonesboro, with their last victory coming on Nov. 17, 2001, 16-7.

With 41 previous meetings, Arkansas State ranks fifth among ULM's all-time opponents in games played, trailing only the Ragin' Cajuns (56), Northwestern State (48), Louisiana Tech and McNeese State (43 each). The ULM-A-State series began in 1959.

THE LAST MEETING –
Arkansas State 48, ULM 41 (Nov. 2, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM enjoyed a fast start against Arkansas State on Saturday at Malone Stadium, but the good times didn't last.

Arkansas State spotted the Warhawks a two-touchdown lead and trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before roaring back for a 48-41 Sun Belt Conference victory.

The Red Wolves (5-4, 3-2) scored 28 unanswered points in a pivotal second quarter that unraveled an early 21-3 ULM lead. The Warhawks (3-5, 2-2) remained within striking distance until the end but couldn't claw all the way back.

Quarterback Caleb Evans reached a pair of major ULM career milestones while gaining career-high 148 yards rushing and scoring three touchdowns and passing for 215 yards and two scores. With his three rushing TDs, Evans became ULM's career leader with 32. Running back Calvin Dawson held the mark at 30. Evans also became the third player in school history to gain 10,000 yards in total offense, joining former quarterbacks Kolton Browning and Steven Jyles, who was in attendance.

The 100-yard rushing game was the fifth of Evans' career and second this season.

Corey Straughter came up with an interception and helped hold Arkansas State's star receiver Omar Bayless under 100 yards. Bayless had six catches for 98 yards and one score.

Arkansas State gained 514 yards total offense as running back Marcel Murray rushed for 175 yards and three scores and quarterback Layne Hatcher threw for 307 yards and two scores.

ULM gained 448 yards on 76 plays.

ULM's third play of the game featured Evans racing around the right side and dashing 67 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. Evans tied the school record for career touchdowns on the season-long scoring play, pulling even at 30 with the former running back Dawson.

The Warhawks gained an extra possession when Traveion Webster recovered a muffed punt by B.J. Edmonds at the Arkansas State 6 with 7:02 left in the first quarter. One play later, Josh Johnson wiggled into the end zone and the Warhawks were up 14-0 at the 6:56 mark.

The Red Wolves cut the deficit to 14-3 with 41 seconds remaining in the opening quarter on a 43-yard field goal from Blake Grupe. Arkansas State covered 54 yards in eight plays to reach scoring position.

ULM pulled a flea-flicker from the back of tricks as Evans hit Markis McCray in stride on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Jonathan Hodoh also made a 23-yard catch on the four-play, 75-yard drive as ULM jumped ahead 21-3 with 14:18 left in the half.

But just as quickly as ULM jumped ahead, the Warhawks saw their lead evaporate in a stunning second-quarter swing.

Quiet early, Murray gashed the Warhawks for a 57-yard touchdown run on the second play of the ensuing A-State offensive series to make it a 21-10 game with 13:50 showing.

The Warhawks squandered a deep drive later in the second quarter. Austin Vaughn's 8-yard run pushed the ball to the A-State 7, but a 15-yard penalty on a late hit by Samuel Williams backed the offense up to the 22. Three plays later, William Bradley-King blocked a 39-yard field goal try by Jared Porter as the Warhawks came up empty.

Bayless came up even bigger for the Arkansas State offense with a 46-yard touchdown catch from Hatcher. The Red Wolves were within 21-17 with 7:28 showing in the half.

The rally continued for the Red Wolves as Kerry Starks fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Arkansas State recovered at the ULM 35. After a pass interference call against the Warhawks, Murray scored on a 20-yard run and the Red Wolves led 24-21 at 7:08 to go in the second quarter.

The Warhawks gambled and lost as Arkansas State stuffed Johnson on fourth-and-1 at the ULM 47 with 2:42 remaining in the half. The Red Wolves parlayed the short field into points four plays later as Hatcher hit Kirk Merritt on a 23-yard touchdown pass and Arkansas State led 31-21 with 1:27 to play in the half.

ULM finished the rough quarter on a positive note with a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive to make it a 31-28 game with three seconds remaining. Evans, who kept the drive alive with a 14-yard run on fourth-and-6 from the A-State 30, finished the march with a 16-yard touchdown run. On the same play, Evans became ULM's career rushing touchdown leader with 31 and the third quarterback with more than 10,000 yards in total offense.
The wild first half featured ULM's quick start, 614 yards of total offense and the 28-0 run by Arkansas State.

Arkansas State opened the second half on offense, kept the drive alive with a fake punt (18-yard run by punter Cody Grace), and went 61 yards in 12 plays to collect a 31-yard field goal by Grupe. The Red Wolves were up 34-28 at the 9:29 mark of the third quarter.

Straughter's fifth interception of the year came with 6:16 left in the third quarter and Arkansas State driving again. Straughter picked off Hatcher and returned the ball 22 yards to the ASU 42.

Five plays later, Evans rushed for his third touchdown on a 23-yard run to tie the score at 34-34 with 4:20. Porter's PAT attempt hit the left upright.

The teams entered the final quarter deadlocked. Edmonds' 20-yard punt return on the third quarter's final snap put the Red Wolves in prime position at the ULM 36. Dahu Green's 35-yard catch on third down set up first-and-goal from the 4. Three plays later, Murray scored on a 6-yard run and Arkansas State was back on top 41-34 with 12:58 remaining.

The lead grew to 48-34 with 7:26 left in the game when Jamal Jones scored on an 8-yard run to finish a seven-play, 73-yard drive.

ULM's last score came with 2:21 remaining on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Evans to tight end Josh Pederson. Arkansas State came up with the onside kick that followed and ran out the clock to preserve the win.

THE LAST MEETING IN JONESBORO –
Arkansas State 31, ULM 17 (Nov. 17, 2018, in Jonesboro, Ark.): Arkansas State snapped ULM's four-game winning streak and took down the Warhawks 31-17 at Centennial Bank Stadium.

The game certainly wasn't the same wild shootout as played in Monroe in 2017, when Arkansas State won 67-50 in a game that featured 58 first downs and 1,371 yards total offense.

Linebacker David Griffith led ULM with 12 tackles, including four tackles for losses. The Warhawks tallied 13 tackles for losses, with one sack by Ty Shelby.

The Red Wolves finished with 404 yards total offense, as quarterback Justice Hansen hit 21-of-27 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas State was 9-of-17 on third down and scored on three-of-three red-zone trips. Marcel Murray's 94 yards on 17 attempts led a ground game that gained 158 yards

In this matchup, ULM's offense never found a steady rhythm. The Warhawks gained just 276 yards on 54 plays with 58 yards on the ground. Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 17-of-28 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown but also tossed three interceptions.

Arkansas State cracked the end zone first on Hansen's 49-yard touchdown pass to Kirk Merritt with 4:41 to go in the first period.

The Red Wolves then used favorable field position to extend their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter. After forcing a three-and-out that led to the Warhawks punting out of the end zone, Arkansas State started its fourth possession at the ULM 31. Eight plays and 22 yards later after a stiff defensive stand, Blake Grupe kicked a 26-yard field goal with 7:58 left in the first half.

The Warhawks punted three times and were stagnant on offense until putting together a six-play, 81-yard scoring drive late in the first half. Evans connected with Josh Pederson on a 34-yard touchdown strike with 5:25 showing in the second quarter to cap a strange series. One play earlier, Pederson was going in for a score on a similar call but had the ball stripped away near the goal line. An inadvertent whistle wiped out the play and gave ULM the ball and a first down. Evans came right back to his tight end to narrow the gap to 10-7.

Pederson finished with five receptions for 60 yards.

Arkansas State answered with a 12-play, 77-yard drive capped by Hansen's 7-yard touchdown pass to Merritt with 31 seconds left in the quarter. ULM was flagged for three personal fouls during the drive to aid the Red Wolves, who carried the 17-7 lead into the break.

Arkansas State outgained ULM, 248-120, in the first half and limited the Warhawks to just 3 yards rushing on eight attempts.

Momentum swung firmly in Arkansas State's favor on ULM's opening offensive series of the third quarter. With Evans under pressure, Justin Clifton picked off ULM's quarterback and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead with 11:58 remaining.

ULM came back with a sense of urgency, scoring on a five-play, 53-yard drive that took 2:17 off the clock. Brandius Batiste set up the touchdown with a 41-yard kickoff return and Evans powered in for a 1-yard run to narrow the gap to 24-14.

The Warhawks made it a 7-point game on Craig Ford's 37-yard field goal with 5:23 left in the third quarter. ULM needed 10 plays to cover the 51-yard march to pull within 24-17.

The Red Wolves answered with a 9-play, 93-yard drive and moved ahead 31-17 on Hansen's 10-yard touchdown toss to Justin McInnis with 40 seconds remaining in the third.

ULM/A-STATE COACHING CONNECTION –
ULM Director of Recruiting & Player Personnel Hunter Holmes spent three seasons (2013-15) as a back-up punter at Arkansas State.

WARHAWKS FROM THE NATURAL STATE –
ULM's active roster features two players from the state of Arkansas, including red-shirt freshman defensive tackle Kevin Pointer (Jonesboro/Jonesboro Senior) and red-shirt freshman running back Kadyn Roach (Magnolia).

'TIS THE SEASON FOR FIRST-TIME STARTERS –
With the combination of COVID-19 positive tests/contact tracing, injuries and opt outs, ULM has utilized 23 first-time starters this season. That total ranks fourth among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs, trailing only Army and Navy (25 each) and Air Force (24).

Based upon ULM's depth chart for Saturday's game at Arkansas State, three more first-time starters will join the list: Mike linebacker Tralon Thomas, Buck safety Zac Gulley and cornerback Chancellor Hitchens.

ULM's starting lineup for the 2020 season opener at Army featured 11 first-time starters, including six on the offensive side of the football and five on defense. By comparison, ULM's 2019 opening-game lineup against Grambling State included just four first-time starters.

ULM'S 2020 SCHEDULE RANKS AS THE SUN BELT'S THIRD-MOST DIFFICULT –
ULM's first nine regular-season opponents have a combined record of 49-39 (.557) against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition in 2020 and comprise the Sun Belt Conference's third-most difficult schedule overall, trailing only Texas State (.587/64-45) and Arkansas State (.568/54-41).

SLOW STARTS PLAGUE WARHAWKS –
• The Warhawks have been victimized by slow starts in 2020. ULM has been outscored, 246-79, in the first half of its first eight games, including 129-31 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 seven three-and-outs in nine 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).

PEDERSON ESTABLISHES HIMSELF AS ONE OF NATION'S ELITE TIGHT ENDS –
Through nine games in 2020, Josh Pederson leads the Warhawks with 30 receptions for 343 yards (11.4 avg.). Eighteen of his 30 catches (60 percent) have resulted in first downs. Pederson has been ULM's favorite target in five of the first nine games. His receptions (tied for eighth) and receiving yards (13th) rank among the top totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

With his 21-yard reception 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 97 career receptions for 1,167 yards (12.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 43 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 21 consecutive games, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250. His 25 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.

HUNT COMES OFF BENCH TO RECORD FIRST CAREER 300-YARD PASSING GAME –
Junior quarterback Jeremy Hunt came off the bench to set career highs for pass attempts (26), pass completions (39), passing yards (339) and touchdown passes (3) at Georgia State. Hunt, who directed five scoring drives, completed TD passes 50 and 39 yards to Perry Carter Jr. and 4 yards to Charles Norman. He also carried nine times for 15 yards to finish with 354 yards total offense.

The transfer from Trinity Valley Community College will make his second-straight start against at Arkansas State.

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.

WEBSTER ANCHORS WARHAWK DEFENSIVE UNIT –
Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks in tackles (76 total: 33 solos, 43 assists), tackles for loss (6.5 for 18 yards) and quarterback hurries (5). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.4 per game. He has led the team in tackles in five of the first nine games, including three double-digit efforts.

Webster contributed nine stops against the No. 23/24 Ragin' Cajuns and recovered a fumbled punt at the ULL 1-yard line late in the first quarter to set up the Warhawks' first touchdown.

He matched his career highs for tackles (11) and tackles for loss (2 for 2 yards) at Georgia State while also being credited with one quarterback hurry.

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.

SHELBY EMERGES AS PLAYMAKER ON D-LINE –
Fifth-year defensive end Ty Shelby is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (6.5 for 14 yards) and ranks second in sacks (2 for 2 yards). His tackles for loss and sacks represent career highs. In addition, Shelby leads the ULM defensive linemen and ranks seventh on the team with 35 tackles (13 solos, 22 assists). His 35 stops match his 12-game total from the 2019 season.

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.

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)
Kickoff Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (17th with 382 kickoff return yards)
Fumbles Recovered: Traveion Webster (t-5th with 2 fumble recoveries)

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.

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: 57 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-5 / 12-14
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-4 / 7-24

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: 0-2 / 7-9
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-2

When leading at halftime: 0-0 / 15-1
When trailing at halftime: 0-9 / 2-37
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-9 / 7-33

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter: 0-9 / 4-30
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-9 / 2-37
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: 0-5 / 5-28
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-2 / 2-4

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 14-9
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-6 / 6-32

When outrushing opponent: 0-0 / 13-5
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-9 / 6-33

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-4 / 13-24
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-5 / 11-28

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-2 / 15-8
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-7 / 4-30

When leading in time of possession: 0-1 / 11-7
When trailing in time of possession: 0-8 / 8-31
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0 / 0-0

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