ULM Continues Three-Game Homestand Against UTEP

Football Sep 22

Game 3: UTEP (2-1, 0-0 C-USA) vs. ULM (0-2, 0-1 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 2:32 p.m. CT
Monroe, La. |JPS Field at Malone Stadium (30,000)
Watch: ESPNU | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 3 vs UTEP

Digital Game Program

Video | Coach Viator Weekly Press Conference

General Admission Tickets ($15)

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

• The Warhawks have compiled a 54-67 record (.446) against current members of Conference USA (Florida Atlantic 7-2, FIU 6-3, Louisiana Tech 13-30, Marshall 1-0, Middle Tennessee 4-9, North Texas 16-13, Southern Miss 2-4, UAB 1-1 and Western Kentucky 4-5).

In its most recent matchup against a C-USA opponent, ULM posted a 21-20 victory at Southern Miss in Week 2 (Sept. 8) of the 2018 season.

• 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).

• In his second career start, sophomore Colby Suits completed 35-of-53 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss to Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. Suits completed throws to 11 different receivers, including TD strikes of 20 yards to Jevin Frett and 5 yards to Chandler Whitfield.

His 35 completions are the second-best single-game total in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season, trailing only Texas Tech's Alan Bowman, who connected on 38-of-52 throws against Houston Baptist on Sept. 12. Suits' 377 passing yards and 384 yards total offense represent the fourth-highest single-game totals produced by an NCAA FBS quarterback this season.

Suits' 35 completions also tied the sixth-highest single-game mark in ULM history.

• In two starts, Colby Suits has completed 49-of-72 throws for 525 yards, three TDs and one interception. He leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (262.5 per game) and total offense (263.5 ypg.) and ranks second in completion percentage (.681) and fifth in the league in passing efficiency (140.3 rating). Suits is listed among the NCAA FBS Top 20 in passing yards per game (No. 11), total offense (No. 17) and completion percentage (No. 18).

• Junior Perry Carter set career highs for receptions (8) and receiving yards (98) against Texas State.

Red-shirt freshman Chandler Whitfield also recorded career highs for catches (5) and receiving yards (46) in the Sun Belt Conference opener against the Bobcats and scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 5-yard grab from Colby Suits late in the second quarter. Whitfield caught three passes for 29 yards during ULM's 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

• Fifth-year defensive end Ty Shelby, who was sidelined for ULM's season opener at Army, returned to the starting lineup against Texas State and recorded a career-high seven tackles, with two resulting in losses including a sack. His two tackles for loss also matched his career best (vs. Texas State in 2018).

• Senior linebacker Traveion Webster leads the Warhawks with 19 tackles (8 solos, 11 assists). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster is tied for fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 23 in the NCAA FBS in tackles, averaging 9.5 per game.

He tied for the team lead with eight stops (3-5) against Texas State, including two for losses (3 yards). In his first career start at Will linebacker, Webster recorded a career-high 11 tackles (5 solos, 6 assists) and a quarterback hurry in ULM's season-opening loss at Army.

• After a slow start against Texas State, the Warhawk defense responded with a solid second-half effort, limiting the Bobcats to five first downs and 80 yards total offense. ULM came up with stops on all four of Texas State's second-half possessions and didn't allow an offensive touchdown over the final 30 minutes. The Bobcats' longest drive of the second half went for just 31 yards in 10 plays.

In the first half, Texas State scored on five of its first seven possessions (four TDs and a field goal) while producing 15 first downs and 318 yards total offense.

• ULM has been held below 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games (20 rushes for 37 yards at Army; 26 for 67 vs. Texas State) for the first time since early in the 2016 season (29 for 78 at Oklahoma in Week 2 and 29 for 67 at Georgia Southern in Week 3).

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
UTEP Offense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores
UTEP Defense: 4 seniors, 6 juniors, 1 sophomore
ULM Offense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores
ULM Defense: 7 seniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman

STAT LEADERS –
UTEP (after three games):
Rushing – Dion Hankins (28 carries for 147 yards, 5.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Gavin Hardison (44 of 80 for 548 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Jacob Cowing (19 catches for 275 yards, 14.5 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Stephen Forester (17 tackles, 10 solos, 7 assists, 1.0 TFL)

ULM (after two games):
Rushing – Josh Johnson (29 carries for 89 yards, 3.1 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing – Colby Suits (49 of 72 for 525 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Josh Pederson (9 catches for 94 yards, 10.4 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (19 tackles, 8 solos, 11 assists, 2.0 TFL, 1 QB hurry)

ULM/UTEP SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the first meeting between ULM and UTEP.

WARHAWKS vs. CONFERENCE USA TEAMS –
The Warhawks have compiled a 54-67 record (.446) against current members of Conference USA (Florida Atlantic 7-2, FIU 6-3, Louisiana Tech 13-30, Marshall 1-0, Middle Tennessee 4-9, North Texas 16-13, Southern Miss 2-4, UAB 1-1 and Western Kentucky 4-5).

In its most recent matchup against a C-USA opponent, ULM posted a 21-20 victory at Southern Miss in Week 2 (Sept. 8) of the 2018 season.

ULM/UTEP COACHING STAFF CONNECTION –
ULM defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Scott Stoker previously served in the same roles at UTEP from 2013-15 (head coach Sean Kugler).

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).

THE LAST TIME OUT –
Texas State 38, ULM 17 (Sept. 19, 2020, in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM gave up too much, too early and couldn't claw back Saturday night at Malone Stadium.

The Warhawks spotted Texas State a 17-point first-half lead and dropped a 38-17 decision in their home and Sun Belt Conference opener.

ULM (0-2, 0-1) slowed Texas State over the final two quarters and quarterback Colby Suits enjoyed a breakout performance in his second collegiate start. But Texas State's early offensive onslaught was too much to make up.

Suits completed 35-of-53 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns and hit 11 different receivers in a solid outing. His 35 completions tied the sixth-highest single-game total in ULM history.

However, the Warhawks came up with just three points on three red-zone trips in the second half that could have helped them reverse course.

ULM wasn't able to get star running back Josh Johnson untracked as he finished with 51 yards on 17 carries. ULM gained just 67 yards on the ground.

Texas State quarterback Tyler Vitt was a dual threat on this night with 256 passing yards and 82 on the ground as his team attacked early. Jeremiah Haydel was his top target with six catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Texas State opened the game with an 85-yard drive to go up 7-0 with 11:21 left in the first quarter. Calvin Hill's 4-yard touchdown run finished a 10-play drive that included a 36-yard completion from Vitt to Marcell Barbee, a ball tipped by ULM cornerback Corey Straughter before the catch.

Junior receiver Jevin Frett introduced himself to the locals with a 20-yard touchdown catch from Suits to tie the game with 2:52 left in the first quarter. The seven-play, 40-yard drive followed a defensive stop that saw Buck safety Keilos Swinney register a sack with a forced fumble that led to a punt after the big third-down play.

Texas State answered with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Vitt to Haydel and regained the lead at 14-7 with 42 seconds to go in the first. The Bobcats needed 2:09 to cover 75 yards in six plays.

ULM and Texas State traded miscues early in the second quarter, with the advantage going to the visitors.

ULM's Jahquan Bloomfield recovered a fumble off a punt at the Texas State 28 with 14:46 left in the second quarter. But on the first play of the ensuing series, Johnson lost a fumble recovered by the Bobcats and returned 18 yards out to the Texas State 38.

Texas State turned the turnover into points and a 21-7 lead by marching 62 yards in seven plays. Vitt, who had a 21-yard run on the drive, finished with an 8-yard touchdown scramble.

ULM's next drive ended with a turnover on downs as Johnson was stuffed and fumbled on fourth-and-1 from the Warhawks' 45. The Bobcats moved into scoring position and led 24-7 after Seth Keller's 40-yard field goal with 6:17 to go before the half.

The Warhawks pulled within 24-10 with 1:34 left in the second quarter after a successful 11-play, 75-yard drive. Suits, who completed 7-of-9 passes for 68 yards on the march rolled out right and found Chandler Whitfield on third-and-goal for a 5-yard score. The touchdown was a career-first for the red-shirt freshman receiver.

Texas State, which had scored 17 unanswered points before ULM's touchdown, struck again on its next offensive play with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Vitt to Haydel and carried a 31-14 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Vitt passed for 233 yards and two scores in the half while Haydel had five catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

After 45 total points in the opening half, the second half didn't deliver as many fireworks for either team but for ULM, it was all about a comeback that didn't quite materialize.

A personal foul by the Bobcats on a punt return set up ULM at the Texas State 38 for its second series of the third quarter. Facing fourth-and-7 from the 11, Davis Hughes kicked a 28-yard field goal to pull ULM within 14 points at 31-17 at the 8:42 mark.

ULM kept Texas State scoreless in the third quarter and outgained Texas State, 112 to 19, to keep itself within striking distance but couldn't convert on fourth-and-8 from the Bobcats' 16 on the second play of the final period as a 13-play, 72-yard drive fizzled on an incomplete pass.

Down by 14 points, ULM's last meaningful offensive series started at its own 3 with 4:29 left in the game. The Warhawks converted a fourth-and-17 from the 31 on a 19-yard pass from Suits to Josh Pederson. But again, ULM came up empty as cornerback Jarron Morris intercepted Suits in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a final touchdown.

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.

Through two games in 2020, Pederson leads the Warhawks with nine receptions for 94 yards (10.4 avg.). Six of his nine catches have resulted in first downs. His receptions (fourth) and receiving yards (seventh) rank among the top totals produced by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends this season.

He 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.

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 76 career receptions for 918 yards (12.1 avg.) and 11 TDs.

SUITS REPLACES THREE-YEAR STARTER EVANS AT QUARTERBACK –
In two starts, sophomore Colby Suits has completed 49-of-72 throws for 525 yards, three TDs and one interception. He leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (262.5 per game) and total offense (263.5 ypg.) and ranks second in completion percentage (.681) and fifth in the league in passing efficiency (140.3 rating). Suits is listed among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 20 in passing yards per game (No. 11), total offense (No. 17) and completion percentage (No. 18).

In his second career start, Suits completed 35-of-53 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss to Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. Suits completed throws to 11 different receivers, including TD strikes of 20 yards to Jevin Frett and 5 yards to Chandler Whitfield.

His 35 completions are the second-best single-game total in the NCAA FBS this season, trailing only Texas Tech's Alan Bowman, who connected on 38-of-52 throws against Houston Baptist on Sept. 12. Suits' 377 passing yards and 384 yards total offense represent the fourth-highest 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 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 was one of 18 schools in the country that entered the 2020 season with no starting experience at quarterback.

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

Individual Statistics (Top 40)
Passing Yards: Colby Suits (6th with 525 passing yards)
Passing Yards Per Game: Colby Suits (11th at 262.5 passing yards per game)
Pass Completion Percentage: Colby Suits (18th at .681 completion percentage)
Pass Completions Per Game: Colby Suits (8th with 24.5 completions per game)
Passing Efficiency: Colby Suits (27th with 140.3 rating)
Passing Yards Per Completion: Colby Suits (36th at 10.71 yards per completion)
Yards Per Pass Attempt: Colby Suits (30th at 7.29 yards per pass attempt)
Total Offense: Colby Suits (17th at 263.5 yards total offense per game)
Receiving Yards: Jahquan Bloomfield (38th with 108 receiving yards)
Yards Per Reception: Jahquan Bloomfield (6th at 27.0 yards per reception)
Points Responsible For: Colby Suits (27th with 18 points)
Combined Kick Return Yards: Isaiah Phillips (3rd at 141 combined kick return yards)
Kickoff Returns: Isaiah Phillips (16th at 20.1 yards per kickoff return)
Punt Returns: Perry Carter (13th at 7.0 yards per punt return)
Tackles Per Game: Trevion Webster (23rd at 9.5 tackles per game); Austin Hawley (40th at 8.5 tpg.)
Fumbles Forced: Keilos Swinney (t-1st with 1.0 forced fumbles per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Jahquan Bloomfield/Mason Husmann (t-2ndwith 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.

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: 50 games):

2020 / Overall
Games played in Malone Stadium: 0-1 / 12-10
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-1 / 7-21

Games played in August: 0-0 / 2-1
Games played in September: 0-2 / 5-10
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: 0-2 / 2-30
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 2-0

When scoring first: 0-0 / 12-5
When opponent scores first: 0-2 / 7-26

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 11-3
When trailing after first quarter: 0-2 / 4-23
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-5

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 16-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-2 / 2-30
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 1-1

Overtime games: 0-0 / 2-1

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 0-1 / 13-5
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-1 / 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: 0-2 / 6-26

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-1 / 13-21
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-1 / 11-24

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-1 / 15-7
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-1 / 4-24

When leading in time of possession: 0-1 / 11-7
When trailing in time of possession: 0-1 / 8-24
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0 / 0-0

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ULM Continues Three-Game Homestand Against UTEP