ULM Faces Texas State in Home and Sun Belt Opener Saturday

Football Sep 17

Game 2: TEXAS STATE (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (0-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 6:32 p.m. CT
Monroe, La. | JPS Field at Malone Stadium (30,000)
Watch: ESPNU | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 2 vs. Texas State

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

General Admission Tickets ($15)

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Saturday's game marks the 17th meeting between ULM and Texas State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 12-4, including a 6-2 record in games played in Malone Stadium. ULM has won the last four meetings: 40-34 in Malone Stadium in 2016, 45-27 in San Marcos in 2017, 20-14 in Monroe in 2018 and 24-14 in Bobcat Stadium last season. Four of the last seven games have been decided by seven points or less.

• In its 69-year football history (as a four-year college), ULM is 47-20-2 (.696) in home openers, including an impressive 33-9 record (.786) since taking up residency in Malone Stadium in 1978. The Warhawks won 13-consecutive home openers from 1978-90 and produced wins in 22 of their first 23 games in Malone Stadium (1978-2000).

ULM is 8-2 in its last 10 home openers, including a 3-1 mark under head coach Matt Viator.

• ULM enters its 20th season of Sun Belt competition with a 6-13 record (.315) in league openers. The Warhawks are 4-4 in their last eight conference openers.

ULM is 2-2 in Sun Belt openers under Matt Viator, including last year's 30-17 victory over South Alabama in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks' last four league openers have been decided by a combined total of 29 points.

Saturday's game marks the first time ULM has opened Sun Belt play against Texas State.

• ULM's 2020 roster features 37 players from Texas, including eight of the Warhawks' 22 probable starters: sophomore left tackle Blake Lodes (Mansfield / Lake Ridge HS), junior wide receiver Perry Carter (Houston / Pius X), quarterback Colby Suits (Forney / North Forney), sophomore wide receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (Katy / Seven Lakes), fifth-year senior defensive end Ty Shelby (Houston / Friendswood), senior linebacker Traveion Webster (Longview), sophomore linebacker KeyShawn Johnson (Duncanville) and free safety Austin Hawley (Gladewater).

• 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.
• In his first career start at Will linebacker, Traveion Webster recorded a career-high 11 tackles (5 solos, 6 assists) and a quarterback hurry in ULM's 37-7 season-opening loss at Army Saturday. After allowing back-to-back touchdown drives to open the game, the Warhawk defense settled in and came up with stops on four of Army's next five possessions, including one takeaway, a fourth-down stop and two three-and-outs.

• In his first career start at Army, Colby 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 Jahquan Bloomfield for a career-long 54-yard completion.

Suits, who became the first ULM quarterback not named Caleb Evans to start under center in 35 games, leads the Sun Belt Conference in completion percentage (.737) and ranks fourth in passing efficiency (156.5 rating). He also is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in completion percentage (seventh) and passing efficiency (13th).

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

• Senior cornerback Corey 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, has been 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).

• Fifth-year senior Josh Johnson, who ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 13th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing while averaging 108.2 yards per game last season, has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year) and Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back).

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

Johnson, who became ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin in 2009, recorded seven 100-yard rushing games last season.

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

• Fifth-year senior tight end Josh Pederson, who set career highs for receptions (43), receiving yards (567) and touchdown receptions (9) last season, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250.

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

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson was named PFF honorable mention All-American and All-Sun Belt First Team in 2019 after leading ULM in touchdown receptions while ranking second in receptions and receiving yards. Thirty of his 43 receptions (70 percent) resulted in either a first down or a TD. His nine TD receptions tied for first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends (with SMU's Kylen Granson) during the regular season. In addition, his receptions (12th) and receiving yards (13th) also ranked among the top regular-season totals produced by FBS tight ends.

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
Texas State Offense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
Texas State Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores
ULM Offense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores
ULM Defense: 7 seniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman

STAT LEADERS –
Texas State (after two games):
Rushing – Brock Sturges (30 carries for 164 yards, 5.5 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Tyler Vitt (26 of 40 for 346 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Jeremiah Haydel (9 catches for 63 yards, 7.0 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Jarron Morris (15 tackles, 13 solos, 2 assists, 3.0 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 FF)

ULM (after one game):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (12 carries for 38 yards, 3.2 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (14 of 19 for 148 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (5 catches for 56 yards, 11.2 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (11 tackles, 5 solos, 6 assists, 1 QB hurry)

ULM/TEXAS STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 17th meeting between ULM and Texas State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 12-4, including a 6-2 record in games played in Malone Stadium. ULM has won the last four meetings: 40-34 in Malone Stadium in 2016, 45-27 in San Marcos in 2017, 20-14 in Monroe in 2018 and 24-14 in Bobcat Stadium last season. Four of the last seven games have been decided by seven points or less.

THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 24, Texas State 14 (Oct. 10, 2019, in San Marcos, Texas): ULM needed a workmanlike effort to win on Thursday night.

A workhorse running back and a resilient defense were there to carry the load.

With a national audience on ESPNU watching, Josh Johnson rushed for 114 yards and scored two touchdowns to help the Warhawks to a 24-14 win over Texas State at Bobcat Stadium.

The win evened ULM's record at 3-3 overall and gave the Warhawks a first-place perch at 2-0 in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division. Texas State fell to 2-4 overall, 1-1 in the league.

For Johnson, it was another stellar performance in a breakout year. The 100-yard game was his fourth of the season for the junior, who has become one of the Sun Belt's offensive stars in 2019.

ULM shook off the rigors of a road game on a short week just five days after falling to Memphis at Malone Stadium.

Stagnant throughout the second half, the ULM offense was able to milk the clock late in the fourth quarter when it counted the most. On a drive that started at the ULM 14 with 8:27 left, the Warhawks worked their way to the Texas State 24 and faced fourth-and 1 with 2:26 remaining in the game.

After two timeouts, Texas State was offsides and ULM had a first down at the 19. Two plays later, Austin "Bus" Vaughn darted into the end zone from 11 yards out to put ULM ahead 24-14 with 1:46 to go. ULM's game-clinching drive covered 86 yards on 13 plays and chewed 6:41 off the clock.

With fresh legs, Vaughn took over the workhorse role after Johnson was hit on the hand and fumbled late in the third quarter. Vaughn gained 29 valuable yards on five carries to help seal the win.

Cortez Sisco Jr. led the defense with nine tackles while Austin Hawley added seven tackles and forced and recovered a fumble. Kerry Starks made two sacks and Sam Miller had one as ULM limited Texas State to 338 yards and just 91 on the ground.

If the Warhawks had any issues lingering with their turnaround, it wasn't evident early in the game.

ULM took a quick 7-0 lead by scoring on its opening drive as Johnson pounded in a 1-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive. The Warhawks had four plays of more than 15 yards on the march, including a 25-yard pass from Caleb Evans to Jonathan Hodoh to open the game.

Johnson's 8-yard touchdown run put ULM ahead 14-0 with 13:15 left in the second quarter. The Warhawks converted on third down twice while covering 80 yards in 11 plays

The Bobcats responded with their best drive of the game to close the scoring gap to 14-7 on Calvin Hill's 3-yard TD run with 9:03 left in the first half. Texas State's 12-play, 75-yard drive included a near interception, a fourth-down conversion and burned 4:12 off the clock.

ULM's Jared Porter kicked a 34-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-7 with 3:27 remaining in the half. ULM's nine-play, 68-yard drive stalled in the red zone with a pair of incomplete passes.

The Warhawks carried their 10-point advantage into the break after outgaining the home team, 262-180, in the first half. Johnson rushed for 72 yards on 13 carries while Evans was 10-of-20 for 150 yards passing with one interception.

ULM's defense came through with several big plays to start the second half. Texas State lost a fumble to ULM's Hawley on its first series, then saw its next drive stall on sacks by Hawley and Miller, then end on downs as the Warhawks sniffed out a fake punt and Sisco made the stop.

A sudden turn of events late in the third quarter changed the complexion of the contest. ULM still had its 10-point lead and was in the red zone again when Johnson lost a fumble at the Texas State 12 and the Bobcats recovered, returning it out to the 38.

On his first play in the game, quarterback Tyler Vitt hit Trevis Graham Jr. on a 62-yard touchdown pass and the Bobcats trailed 17-14 with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
The three-point margin made for a tense fourth quarter until the offense found its footing at the end. Corey Straughter's interception with 1:24 remaining in the game put the finishing touches on ULM's win.

THE LAST MEETING IN MALONE STADIUM –
ULM 20, Texas State 14 (Oct. 20, 2018, in Monroe, La.): ULM made it a happy Homecoming at Malone Stadium with a 20-14 win over Texas State.

Playing their first game at JPS Field since Sept. 22, the Warhawks evened their record at 4-4 and 2-2 in the Sun Belt with a rock-solid defensive effort.

ULM held the Bobcats (1-6, 0-4) to 242 total yards, forced eight punts, had 10 tackles for losses including three sacks, and limited the visitors to just 2-of-13 on third-down conversions.

ULM's 2-2 Sun Belt mark is also good enough to put them in first place in the West Division, heading into an open date.

While the ULM offense didn't deliver a high-octane performance, the Warhawks churned out enough production for the win. ULM tallied 353 yards with 229 coming on the ground.

The Warhawks did pick up three first downs on the final series to close out the win, including a Caleb Evans 12-yard pass to Marcus Green, a clutch 18-yard run by Evans and an offside penalty against Texas State on a fourth-down bluff that saw offensive guard T.J. Fiailoa bowled over.

A ULM turnover set up Texas State's first score in the opening quarter. Markis McCray fumbled after a short reception and Texas State's Ishmael Davis recovered at the ULM 21. Three plays later, the Bobcats led 7-0 on a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyler Vitt.

After a sluggish offensive start, the Warhawks bounced back on their next series. Green ignited the offense with a 60-yard run to the Bobcats' 12, and two plays later, Austin Vaughn punched in a 2-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 6:47 left in the first period.

Craig Ford gave ULM its first lead at 10-7 with a season-long 43-yard field goal with 11:10 remaining in the second quarter. The Warhawks moved 37 yards in nine plays to set up the kick.

Sophomore Brandius Batiste caught his first career touchdown pass on a 27-yard strike from Evans with 4:41 showing in the first half. The scoring toss capped a 10-play, 84-yard drive and gave ULM a 17-7 lead that carried into intermission.

ULM head coach Matt Viator was looking for more consistency on offense in the second half. The Warhawks generated 213 yards with 13 first downs in the first half but were also just 9-of-18 passing for 86 yards and 3-of-7 on third-down conversions.

The Warhawks didn't exactly catch fire in the third period although they did extend the lead to 20-7 on a 30-yard field goal by Ford. ULM moved 61 yards on 13 plays for the score.

Meanwhile Warhawks' defense continued to stand strong. Texas State's drive to the ULM 13 early in the fourth quarter ended with a missed 30-yard field goal by Chandler Stewart.

Offensive miscues carried over into the second half for ULM, as Vaughn lost a fumble at the Warhawks' 46 with 11:14 left in the game. The Bobcats needed eight plays to convert their takeaway to points and pulled within 20-13 with 7:18 remaining on a 4-yard touchdown run by Robert Brown Jr.

The Warhawks on offense pulled things together at the end though to put the finishing touch on Texas State.

WARHAWKS FROM THE LONE STAR STATE –
ULM's 2020 roster features 37 players from Texas, including eight of the Warhawks' 22 probable starters: sophomore left tackle Blake Lodes (Mansfield / Lake Ridge HS), junior wide receiver Perry Carter (Houston / Pius X), quarterback Colby Suits (Forney / North Forney), sophomore wide receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (Katy / Seven Lakes), fifth-year senior defensive end Ty Shelby (Houston / Friendswood), senior linebacker Traveion Webster (Longview), sophomore linebacker KeyShawn Johnson (Duncanville) and free safety Austin Hawley (Gladewater).

WARHAWKS TOUGH IN HOME OPENERS –
In its 69-year football history (as a four-year college), ULM is 47-20-2 (.696) in home openers, including an impressive 33-9 record (.786) since taking up residency in Malone Stadium in 1978. The Warhawks won 13-consecutive home openers from 1978-90 and produced wins in 22 of their first 23 games in Malone Stadium (1978-2000).

ULM is 8-2 in its last 10 home openers, including a 3-1 mark under head coach Matt Viator.

Here's a brief look at ULM's home openers since 2010:

SUN BELT OPENERS –
ULM enters its 20th season of Sun Belt competition with a 6-13 record (.315) in league openers. The Warhawks are 4-4 in their last eight conference openers.

ULM is 2-2 in Sun Belt openers under Matt Viator, including last year's 30-17 victory over South Alabama in Malone Stadium. The Warhawks' last four league openers have been decided by a combined total of 29 points.

Saturday's game marks the first time ULM has opened Sun Belt play against Texas State.

STRAUGHTER NAMED TO PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THREE MAJOR NATIONAL AWARDS –
ULM senior cornerback Corey 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, has been 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).

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound Straughter registered three tackles and a pass break-up in the home finale against Coastal Carolina.

He was selected to the PFF Sun Belt Conference Defensive Team of the Week three times last season: against South Alabama, at Texas State and against Georgia State.

Straughter intercepted Arkansas State's Layne Hatcher's third-down pass attempt at the Warhawk 36 and returned it 22 yards to set up ULM's game-tying touchdown (34-34) late in the third quarter. He also contributed three tackles and a pass break-up against the Red Wolves.

Early last season, Straughter recorded an interception in three consecutive games (back-to-back road games at Florida State and Iowa State and the Sun Belt opener against South Alabama).

His interception and 25-yard return to the Texas State 2-yard line in the final 90 seconds iced ULM's 24-14 win over the Bobcats. Straughter also recorded a career-high four pass break-ups and a solo tackle at Texas State.

He limited Memphis' leading receiver Damonte Coxie (entered the game with 18 catches for 278 yards and TD) to just two receptions for 18 yards.

With the score tied at 7-7 early in the second quarter of ULM's Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama, Straughter ended an 11-play, 62-yard drive to the Warhawk 13 by intercepting Cephus Johnson's third-and-goal pass attempt into the end zone. He added two tackles against the Jaguars.

He matched his season high with four tackles (all solo hits) to go along with an interception at Iowa State.

With ULM trailing Florida State 24-7 midway through the third quarter, the complexion of the game changed when Straughter intercepted James Blackman's first-down pass attempt along the sideline and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. It marked his second career interception return for a score. Straughter also tallied four stops against the Seminoles.

His career totals include nine career interceptions and 19 career pass break-ups. Straughter already ranks among ULM's all-time Top 20 in interception return yards (second at 250), pass break-ups (ninth) and interceptions (tied for 15th).

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

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

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

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

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

Johnson led the Warhawks in rushing for the sixth time in seven games with 77 yards on 13 attempts at No. 24 Appalachian State. He broke runs of 15 and 18 yards against the Mountaineers.

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

He rushed 15 times for 93 yards in the Sun Belt opener against South Alabama. His 49-yard run around right end midway through the first quarter set up ULM's first touchdown.

Johnson gained 87 yards on 14 attempts (6.2 avg.) at Iowa State, which entered the game with the nation's 10th-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 73.0 yards per game. He opened ULM's fifth offensive series with a 46-yard run around left end and later capped off a 12-play, 87-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run late in the second quarter.

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.

PEDERSON EMERGES AS ONE OF NATION'S ELITE TIGHT ENDS –
ULM fifth-year senior tight end Josh Pederson, who set career highs for receptions (43), receiving yards (567) and touchdown receptions (9) last season, has been named to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Top 250.

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

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Pederson was named PFF honorable mention All-American and All-Sun Belt First Team in 2019 after leading ULM in touchdown receptions while ranking second in receptions and receiving yards. Thirty of his 43 receptions (70 percent) resulted in either a first down or a TD. His nine TD receptions tied for first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends (with SMU's Kylen Granson) during the regular season. In addition, his receptions (12th) and receiving yards (13th) also ranked among the top regular-season totals produced by FBS tight ends.

He caught at least one pass in each of the 12 regular-season games in 2019.

A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Pederson has 72 career receptions for 880 yards (12.2 avg.) and 11 TDs.

SUITS REPLACES THREE-YEAR STARTER EVANS AT QUARTERBACK –
In his first career start at Army, Colby 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 Jahquan Bloomfield for a career-long 54-yard completion.

Suits, who became the first ULM quarterback not named Caleb Evans start under center in 35 games, leads the Sun Belt Conference in completion percentage (.737) and ranks fourth in passing efficiency (156.5 rating). He also is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in completion percentage (seventh) and passing efficiency (13th).

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 is one of 18 schools in the country that enters the 2020 season with no starting experience at quarterback.

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

Individual Statistics (Top 40)
Passing Yards: Colby Suits (33rd with 148 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Colby Suits (28th at 148.0 passing yards per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Colby Suits (7th at .737 completion percentage)
Pass Completions Per Game: Colby Suits (23rd with 14.0 completions per game)
Passing Efficiency: Colby Suits (13th with 156.5 rating)
Passing Yards Per Completion: Colby Suits (27th at 10.57 yards per completion)
Yards Per Pass Attempt: Colby Suits (20th at 7.79 yards per pass attempt)
Total Offense: Colby Suits (36th at 143.0 yards total offense per game)
Receptions Per Game: Josh Pederson (24th at 5.0 receptions per game)
Combined Kick Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (7th at 108 combined kick return yards)
Kickoff Returns: Isaiah Phillips (10th at 21.6 yards per kickoff return)
All-Purpose Yards: Isaiah Phillips (35th at 108.0 all-purpose yards per game)
Tackles Per Game: Trevion Webster (t-7th at 11.0 tackles per game)
Fumbles Forced: Keilos Swinney (t-2nd with 1 forced fumble)
Fumbles Recovered: Mason Husmann (t-1st with 1 fumble recovery)

ULM SEEKS TO PLAY FULL 12-GAME SLATE IN 2020 –
ULM is one of seven NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams scheduled to play 12-games in 2020, joining Arkansas State, 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.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
Army 37, ULM 7 (Sept. 12, 2020, in West Point, New York): The 2020 season will be a work in progress for ULM football.

The COVID-19 pandemic hampered normal preparations for the Warhawks, who lost 37-7 to Army at historic Michie Stadium last Saturday.

Limited in spring drills that were cut short as everything shut down, stalled 10 days in the preseason after positive COVID tests in the program and sidelined for four days following Hurricane Laura, the Warhawks (0-1) debuted with an opening day lineup that featured 14 new starters.

A tough opponent in most circumstances, Army (2-0) turned into a formidable matchup for the untested Warhawks.

Quarterback Colby Suits completed 14-of-19 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown in his first ULM start. He didn't throw an interception but fumbled at the Army 28 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jeremy Hunt completed 2-of-5 attempts for 15 yards and threw an interception.

ULM gained 200 total yards on 44 plays with nine first downs. Tight end Josh Pederson caught five balls for 56 yards. Running back Josh Johnson netted 38 yards on 12 carries.

The defense battled Army's relentless option attack, surrendering 436 rushing yards on 65 attempts to the Black Knights who collected 24 first downs and won time of possession 36:47 to 23:13. ULM linebacker Traveion Webster led the defense with a career-high 11 tackles and helped force a fumble.

ULM's defense was playing well in the third quarter, but Army gambled on fourth-and-10 with a fake punt that gained 47 yards on a run by Wilson Catoe down to the ULM 18. Three plays later, quarterback Christian Anderson ran for a 6-yard touchdown and Army led 24-7 with 6:22 left in the third.

The Warhawks were playing from behind from early on.

After holding ULM to three-and-out on the first series, Army set the tone with a 15-play, 60-yard opening drive. Anderson scampered for a 5-yard touchdown and the 7-0 lead.

The Black Knights extended their edge to 14-0 with 1:47 left in the first quarter on Sandon McCoy's 2-yard run. Army covered 61 yards in just four plays.

After gaining just 19 yards on nine plays in the first quarter, ULM flipped the field early in the second with a 54-yard pass from Suits to Jahquan Bloomfield. However, ULM sputtered in the red zone and Army blocked a 37-yard attempt by first-time kicker Davis Hughes.

ULM coaxed Army's first turnover of the season when Keilos Swinney raked loose a fumble recovered by Mason Husmann at the Warhawk 30. As planned, Hunt came in to play quarterback, but the offense went three-and-out for the third time and couldn't take advantage.

However, when Warhawk defenders Jabari Johnson and Webster came up with fourth-and-4 stop at the ULM 37 with 6:08 left in the second quarter, the offense was ready to respond.

After sitting out a series, Suits returned to lead a seven-play, 64-yard scoring drive. He was 4-for-4 passing, including a 6-yard touchdown strike to Malik Jackson to narrow the score to 14-7 with 2:12 in the half. The touchdown catch was the first of Jackson's career.

Army started its final drive of the half at the ULM 47 with 27 seconds remaining. Quarterback Jemel Jones, in the game for a sidelined Anderson, completed a 29-yard pass to help set up a 40-yard field goal by Landon Salyers.

The Black Knights held a 17-7 halftime lead after outgaining ULM 237 to 138 in total yardage. ULM was 2-for-7 on third downs in the first two quarters. Army collected 13 first downs, compared to five by the Warhawks.

After turning the fake punt into points, the Black Knights began to pull away when fullback Jakobi Buchanan sprinted 25 yards for a touchdown that put Army up 30-7 with 24 seconds left in the third quarter. Salyers missed the PAT.

Buchanan added his second rushing touchdown on a 40-yard run in the fourth quarter as Army extended the lead to 37-7 with 5:58 remaining. Buchanan led Army with 106 yards on 11 carries.

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: 49 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-0 / 12-9
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-1 / 7-21

Games played in August: 0-0 / 2-1
Games played in September: 0-1 / 5-9
Games played in October: 0-0 / 5-10
Games played in November: 0-0 / 7-8
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-2

When leading at halftime: 0-0 / 15-1
When trailing at halftime: 0-1 / 2-29
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-1 / 7-25

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter :0-1 / 4-22
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-1 / 2-29
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 1-1

Overtime games: 0-1 / 2-1

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 0-0 / 13-4
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-1 / 5-24
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: 0-1 / 6-27

When outrushing opponent: 0-0 / 13-5
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-1 / 6-25

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-0 / 13-20
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-0 / 11-23

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-0 / 15-6
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-1 / 4-24

When leading in time of possession: 0-0 / 11-6
When trailing in time of possession: 0-1 / 8-24
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0 / 0-0

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