ULM Faces Road Test at No. 16 Coastal Carolina

Football Oct 01

Game 4: ULM (2-1, 1-0 SBC) at No. 16/16 Coastal Carolina (4-0, 0-0 SBC)
Saturday, Oct. 2 | 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT
Brooks Stadium (20,000) | Conway, S.C.
ESPN+ | KLIP 105.3FM

ULM Football Notes: Game 4 vs. Coastal Carolina

Terry Bowden's Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks are on road for the second time this season, visiting No. 16/16 Coastal Carolina at 2:30 p.m. EDT/1:30 p.m. CDT Saturday at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. ULM has won back-to-back games for the first time since winning four consecutive games in October and November of 2018. The Warhawks are 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Sun Belt Conference after defeating Troy, 29-16, Saturday in Monroe. CCU is 4-0 overall after rolling by UMass, 53-3, on Saturday in Conway. Saturday's game is CCU's 2021 SBC opener.

• Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks have won all three previous meetings. The two sides did not meet until CCU joined the Sun Belt Conference for the 2017 season. ULM won the inaugural meeting, 51-43, in Monroe in 2017. The Warhawks picked up a road victory in Conway, 45-20, in 2018. ULM is the last team to defeat CCU in a regular-season contest, doing so in a 45-42 win in Monroe on Nov. 23, 2019. The two teams were not scheduled to face each other in 2020.

• ULM's 2021 roster features one player from the state of South Carolina: freshman walk-on wide receiver Kayden Hager (Fort Mill/Catawba Ridge HS).

• ULM super senior linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams, whose fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown iced Saturday night's 29-16 victory over Troy in the league opener for both teams, has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week as selected by a media panel. It marked the Warhawks' first Sun Belt win since Nov. 23, 2019 (45-42 over Coastal Carolina), ending a nine-game losing streak.

On a first-and-goal play, Williams intercepted Taylor Powell's pass attempt and returned it 96 yards for a score as ULM opened up a 29-10 lead with 9:40 left in the game. It marked the second-longest interception return for a TD in ULM history (school record: 100 yards by Pat Dennis vs. Nicholls in 1998). It also marked ULM's first interception return for a score since Corey Straughter's 57-yard pick six at Florida State in 2019.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams becomes the second Warhawk to earn one of the conference's weekly awards. Last week, placekicker Calum Sutherland, who accounted for all 12 points in ULM's 12-7 victory over Jackson State in the home opener, was selected Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week.

• ULM super senior Ty Shelby, who continues to be a menace for opposing quarterbacks, has been added to the Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award, presented annually since 2002 to the nation's top defensive end. The Houston, Texas, native has posted five sacks through three games, including a sack for a safety on Saturday vs. Troy. His five sacks lead the Football Bowl Subdivision at 1.67 sacks per game. He has 11 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two quaterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference in total sacks, a half sack behind Troy's Javon Solomon, who has played in one more game than Shelby.

Shelby also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and ninth in FBS at 1.8 tackles for loss per game.

• Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 2.33 field goals made per game. Through three games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 25 points, connecting on 7-of-9 field-goal attempts and 4-of-4 extra-point tries.

A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland made both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries on Saturday vs. Troy. He connected from 26 and 32 yards against the Trojans.

• ULM freshman running back Andrew Henry made the most of his second career start on Saturday against Troy. The Dallas, Texas, native rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries and scored his first career touchdown, a 40-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play. It is the first 100-yard rushing game by a Warhawk since Josh Johnson ran for 109 yards at UL Lafayette on Nov. 30, 2019. He leads ULM with 169 yards rushing on 36 carries, good for a 4.7 yards per carry average, which ranks seventh in the Sun Belt Conference.

• ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 10 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense, allowing only 74.3 yards per game. The Warhawks have permitted only six runs of 10 or more yards – tied for the third-lowest total in the FBS. Through three games, ULM has only allowed two rushing touchdowns – tied for 12th in the FBS. In addition, the Warhawks haven't surrendered a rushing TD in the last eight quarters.

• ULM leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks tied for second in turnover margin at +2.0 per game. The Warhawks have recorded seven takeaways (4 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions) in three games. By comparison, ULM totaled 10 takeaways (6 fumble recovers, 4 interceptions) in 10 games during the 2020 season.

• Since taking over the ULM program, first-year head coach Terry Bowden has emphasized the importance of playing disciplined football and his team has taken the message to heart. The Warhawks rank among the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM is second in the SBC and 10th in FBS at 33.3 penalty yards per game and second in the SBC and 11th in FBS at 4.3 penalties per game. The Warhawks were penalized seven times for 50 yards on Saturday vs. Troy.

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 1 senior, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 5 freshmen
ULM Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 3 freshmen
CCU Offense: 9 seniors, 2 sophomores
CCU Defense: 9 seniors, 1 junior, 1 freshman

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 3 games):
Rushing – Andrew Henry (36 carries for 169 yards, 4.7 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Rhett Rodriguez (35 of 62, 56.5%, for 338 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving – Boogie Knight (12 catches for 137 yards, 11.4 avg.)
Tackles – Adam Sparks (22 tackles, 13 solos, 9 assists, 1 PBU, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble)

Coastal Carolina (after 4 games):
Rushing – Shermari Jones (35 carries for 288 yards, 8.2 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Grayson McCall (56 of 73, 76.7%, for 901 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Jaivon Heiligh (21 catches for 464 yards, 22.1 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles – Silas Kelly (29 tackles, 13 solos, 16 assists, 1 TFL, 1 PBU)

ULM/CCU SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between ULM and Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks have won all three previous meetings. The two sides did not meet until CCU joined the Sun Belt Conference for the 2017 season. ULM won the inaugural meeting, 51-43, in Monroe in 2017. The Warhawks picked up a road victory in Conway, 45-20, in 2018. ULM is the last team to defeat CCU in a regular-season contest, doing so in a 45-42 win in Monroe on Nov. 23, 2019. The two teams were not scheduled to face each other in 2020.

THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 45, Coastal Carolina 42 (Nov. 23, 2019 in Monroe, Louisiana): Fireworks are fun, but it pays to have a fire extinguisher around too when things get out of hand.

On a night when the offenses ran hot at Malone Stadium, ULM's defense made two key stands late to preserve a 45-42 win over Coastal Carolina.

ULM (5-6, 4-3 Sun Belt) kept alive its chances to reach bowl eligibility with a satisfying finish in their final home game of 2019.

Caleb Evans passed for 346 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yard strike to Markis McCray that is the longest in school history. Evans also ran nine times for 69 yards and a touchdown while directing an offense that gained 563 yards.

ULM's offense claimed the lead for good when Evans hit Zach Jackson for a 34-yard touchdown strike that put the home team ahead 45-42 with 6:47 remaining. The Warhawks went 75 yards in three plays, burning just 43 seconds for the game's eighth lead change.

A pivotal defensive stop by ULM, including a third-down sack by Ty Shelby, forced a Chanticleers punt and gave the Warhawks' possession with 5:13 left in the game.

Coastal regained possession as Evans was intercepted by Chandler Kryst at the CCU 24 with 3:26 to go. Again the defense responded as Larance Shaw sacked Fred Payton on first down for a loss of 3. After a false start by the Chanticleers, Payton ran for 5 yards and CCU faced third-and-13. On the next play, Ivin White Jr. recovered a muffed snap by the quarterback at the CCU 15.

With another big night, Evans became the second ULM player to reach 11,000 yards of total offense and moved past Steven Jyles into second place for career passing yards (9,180). He also extended his school record for rushing touchdowns to 35.

McCray had three catches for 114 yards, recording his first 100-yard receiving game in his last home performance. Running back Josh Johnson added to his gaudy numbers with 129 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. recorded 19 total tackles and became the first player to go over 100 tackles since Hunter Kissinger's 133 in 2015. Sisco now has 102 stops this season.

CJ Marable led Coastal Carolina (4-7, 1-6) with 172 rushing yards and two scores. The Chanticleers gained 452 yards with 230 on the ground and 222 passing.

The two offenses came out trading blows from the start.

CCU's opening drive covered 75 yards in five plays and ended with Marable's 3-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

The Warhawks answered quickly with a rapid-fire march of their own. Johnson rambled 12 yards for his 10th touchdown to close out a five-play, 67-yard drive for a 7-7 tie at the 11:11 mark.

ULM needed one explosive play to take its first lead as Evans fired a 98-yard touchdown pass to McCray with 5:55 left in the first quarter. The reception was the longest in ULM history, surpassing Wendal Lowrey's 96-yard pass to future L Club Hall of Famer Vincent Brisby at Stephen F. Austin in 1991.

The Chanticleers steered right back into a 14-14 tie as Payton tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jaivon Heiligh with 57 seconds to go in the first quarter. CCU's drive was 75 yards in nine plays.

ULM regained the lead when Austin Vaughn barreled into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown, his fourth. The Warhawks went 74 yards in six plays to go ahead 21-14 with 8:52 remaining in the half and that remained the score until halftime.

Sisco posted a monster first half with 17 total tackles and an interception late in the second quarter. His tackle for loss was his first of the year.

The Warhawks added a season-long 37-yard field goal from Jared Porter on their series to open the third quarter and led 24-14. The 12-play drive gained 58 yards.

Coastal converted on a fake punt on fourth-and-3 at the CCU 44 to keep its first third-quarter drive alive and scored three plays later on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Payton to Ky'Jon Tyler. ULM led 24-21 with 7:35 left in the period.

Tyler terrorized ULM again minutes later as he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown that gave CCU its first lead since the opening quarter at 28-24 with 5:38 remaining.

ULM regained the edge at 31-28 as Evans scored on a 32-yard run with 1:52 to go. The Warhawks needed six plays to go 67 yards and Evans scored his 11th rushing TD of the year.

The fourth quarter brought another lead change when Payton tossed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Reese White to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive. With 12:17 to play, CCU led 35-31.

The Warhawks countered with their own 75-yard drive over 12 plays and regained the lead at 38-35. ULM converted on third down three times, including a determined 14-yard run by Evans on third-and-9 to the CCU 12. One play later, Johnson powered through for a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:44 left in the game.

CCU needed one play to go ahead 42-38 as Marable streaked up the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown with 7:30 to go.

The final touchdown from Evans to Jackson was the answer that ULM needed to take the lead for good and the defense helped seal the deal.

THE LAST MEETING AT CCU –
ULM 45, Coastal Carolina 20 (Oct. 13, 2018 in Conway, South Carolina): ULM got back into the win column and back on track in the Sun Belt Conference Saturday with a rejuvenating 45-20 win over Coastal Carolina.

On the bright teal turf of Brooks Stadium, Marcus Green caught five passes for 111 yards, Derrick Gore rushed for a career-high 147 yards on 16 attempts and ULM's defense recorded five sacks to go along with three takeaways.

The Warhawks (3-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) never trailed in the contest. Bucking a trend of slow starts that contributed to ULM's four-game losing streak, the Warhawks enjoyed a winning beginning.

The reenergized Warhawks jumped ahead 7-0 by opening the contest with a six-play, 75 scoring drive. Austin "Bus" Vaughn powered in for the 4-yard touchdown run.

Marcus Hubbard recovered a fumble at the CCU 42 to set up another early ULM touchdown. Four plays after the takeaway, Gore ran for a 10-yard touchdown and the Warhawks led 14-0 with 8:35 to go in the first quarter.

Coastal's first scoring drive ended with a Massimo Biscardi 29-yard field goal. ULM defended the red zone well though, as Cortez Sisco Jr. broke up a third-and-goal pass attempt from the 11.

Early in the second quarter, the Chanticleers gambled and picked up 33 yards on a fake punt, then found the end zone six plays later. Malcom Williams scored on a sweep from the 4 and narrowed ULM's lead to 14-10 with 9:10 left in the first half.

ULM's offensive response was swift. Evans hit Green with a 37-yard touchdown pass on third-and-5 and the Warhawks lead expanded to 21-10. The four-play drive covered 75 yards in 1:32.

The Warhawks slowed it down on their next drive, going 52 yards in 10 plays and keeping the ball for 5:17. Tight end Josh Pederson narrowly missed scoring on a 3-yard reception as he stepped out of bounds, but Craig Ford's 20-yard field goal extended the lead to 24-10 with 50 seconds left before halftime.

That was enough time for the Chanticleers, who hustled down 57 yards in seven plays to kick a 40-yard field goal with two seconds to go and trailed 24-13 at the break.

The Warhawks weathered adversity early in the second half as Coastal converted a ULM turnover into points in the third quarter. Taking over after a fumbled handoff exchange by Green at the CCU 34, the Chanticleers moved 66 yards in six plays. Marcus Outlow finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown rush and ULM's lead was down to 24-20.

Green redeemed himself on the next series with a contested 33-yard catch to the CCU 7 that set up a ULM score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Evans. The Warhawks led 31-20 with 3:45 to go in the third.

With Coastal threatening to score in the fourth quarter, ULM freshman Jabari Johnson made a crucial interception off Bryce Carpenter in the end zone with 8:12 remaining in the game. The pick was the first of his career for Johnson, a product of Ouachita Parish High School.

The Warhawks parlayed the takeaway into a touchdown, moving 80 yards in eight plays. Evans hit Markis McCray on a 35-yard reception along the way, then capped the march with a 20-yard touchdown run for a 38-20 lead at the 4:07 mark.

ULM sealed the victory in style. After Sam Miller recovered a fumble at the ULM 47, Gore two plays later blasted 47 yards for a touchdown.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 29, Troy 16 (Sept. 25, 2021 in Monroe, Louisiana): The public address system at Malone Stadium provided timely background music as the Warhawks started the fourth quarter against Troy.

"I Won't Back Down," by Tom Petty gave ULM its anthem on a night of dominance by the home team. Swarming defense, a robust running game and a handful of big offensive plays sparked a 29-16 win over Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Ja'Cquez Williams punctuated ULM's defensive performance when he returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was ULM's first interception return for a score since Corey Straughter's 57-yard pick six at Florida State in 2019. The longest in school history was 100 yards by Pat Dennis against Nicholls State in 1998.

Coming off a 12-7 victory over Jackson State, ULM (2-1, 1-0 SBC) now has its first winning streak since taking four straight in 2018. The Warhawks were 24-point underdogs coming into the game, according to the odds makers but never trailed the Trojans.

Sophomore running back Andrew Henry provided 108 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Rhett Rodriguez completed 10-of-16 passes for 131 yards and a score.

Although Troy outgained the Warhawks, 364-297, the Trojans couldn't keep drives alive. ULM's defense limited Troy to 5-of-15 on third down conversions. Troy came into the game converting 48 percent on third downs (19-of-40).

The conference win was ULM's first since beating Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019.

ULM's first offensive opportunity turned into "The Zach Jackson Showcase." Jackson hauled in a 31-yard pass during the series, then finished the mission with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Rodriguez with 8:03 left in the first quarter. The Warhawks, after forcing a punt on Troy's first possession, moved 80 yards in eight plays to go ahead 7-0.

Still down by a touchdown, Troy faced fourth-and-7 from the ULM 39 to begin the second quarter and the Warhawks delivered a huge defensive stand. Caleb Thomas and Traveion Webster blasted through to sack Troy quarterback Taylor Powell for a 9-yard loss to the ULM 48 and a turnover on downs.

On the ensuing drive, Chandler Rogers took the offensive reins for ULM and directed a nine-play, 43-yard drive. Calum Sutherland's 26-yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 10-0 lead with 10:14 to go before halftime. Rogers completed a 37-yard pass to Jared Sparks and rushed five times for 26 yards to set up the kick.

The turnover bug bit the Warhawks with 3:44 left in the second quarter when Rogers fumbled and Troy's Javon Solomon recovered at the ULM 22. But on third-and-7, Keilos Swinney stopped Reggie Todd after a 5-yard reception and Troy was forced to settle for Brooks Buce's 32-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 10-3.

ULM outgained Troy, 171-136, in the first half while holding the Trojans to 3-of-10 on third down conversions. Big plays were part of the formula as ULM averaged 20.2 yards per completion while Troy was held to 7.7 yards per catch.

Rodriguez came out to lead the ULM offense to open the second half and directed a methodical eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive aided by a third-and-11 pass interference call. Then on fourth-and-1 at the Troy 40, Henry darted outside and raced untouched to the end zone to give ULM a 17-3 lead at the 11:56 mark of the third quarter.

Troy finally came to life offensively on the next drive, counter punching with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Luke Whittemore. After the seven-play, 77-yard series, the Trojans trailed 17-10 with 8:57 left in the third.

ULM went back up by 10 on Sutherland's 32-yard field goal with 5:19 to go in the third. The Warhawks moved 60 yards in eight plays to recoup three points after surrendering the big play.

The defense got in on the scoring with a safety in the fourth quarter as Shelby was credited with his fifth sack of the year. ULM led 22-10 with 13:52 to go.

Trailing by 12, Troy was threatening to score with 9:40 remaining when Powell's pass was broken up by Adam Sparks and plucked on the carom by Williams, who raced up the sidelines to put ULM up 29-10.

Sparks led the defense with 10 tackles. ULM recorded five tackles for losses, including three sacks.

ULM vs. ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25 TEAMS –
ULM has lost its last eight games played against opponents ranked in The Associated Press Top 25. Since 1994, the Warhawks are 1-30 all-time against AP Top 25 teams, with its only win coming in overtime against No. 8 Arkansas, 34-31, on Sept. 8, 2012, in Little Rock.

Warhawk quarterback Kolton Browning accounted for 481 total yards and four touchdowns against No. 8 Arkansas, including a 16-yard TD run in overtime, in the 2012 season opener for both teams.

In addition to being ULM's first win over an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ranked opponent in school history, it also marked the first time a Sun Belt Conference member had defeated a Top-10 team.

WILLIAMS SELECTED SUN BELT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK –
ULM super senior linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams, whose fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown iced Saturday night's 29-16 victory over Troy in the league opener for both teams, has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week as selected by a media panel. It marked the Warhawks' first Sun Belt win since Nov. 23, 2019 (45-42 over Coastal Carolina), ending a nine-game losing streak.

On a first-and-goal play, Williams intercepted Taylor Powell's pass attempt and returned it 96 yards for a score as ULM opened up a 29-10 lead with 9:40 left in the game. It marked the second-longest interception return for a TD in ULM history (school record: 100 yards by Pat Dennis vs. Nicholls in 1998). It also marked ULM's first interception return for a score since Corey Straughter's 57-yard pick six at Florida State in 2019.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams becomes the second Warhawk to earn one of the conference's weekly awards. Last week, placekicker Calum Sutherland, who accounted for all 12 points in ULM's 12-7 victory over Jackson State in the home opener, was selected Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week.

Williams has 211 tackles in his career, ranking him 57th among active players.

SUTHERLAND LEADS NATION IN FIELD GOALS PER GAME –
Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 2.33 field goals made per game. Through three games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 25 points, connecting on 7-of-9 field-goal attempts and 4-of-4 extra-point tries.

A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland made both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries on Saturday vs. Troy. He connected from 26 and 32 yards against the Trojans.

Sutherland accounted for all 12 points in ULM's 12-7 victory over Jackson State on Sept. 18. He was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 20 as selected by a media panel. His 12 points matched his career high (12 at UCLA in 2019), as the Warhawks won for the first time since Nov. 23, 2019, 45-42 over Coastal Carolina, ending a 12-game losing streak.

Sutherland converted 4-of-6 field-goal attempts, hitting from 29, 45, 42 and 49 yards against the Tigers. His 42-yarder early in the fourth quarter gave ULM a 9-7 lead and his career-long 49-yarder with 2:24 left in the game provided the final margin.

With four made field goals, Sutherland tied the ULM single-game record, joining Cole Wilson (vs. UL Lafayette, Dec. 3, 2006), Roger Miller (vs. McNeese State, 1993), Teddy Garcia (vs. Georgia Southern, 1987) and Bubba Toups (vs. Mississippi College, 1980). His six field-goal attempts are tied for the fourth-highest single-game total in Sun Belt history.

In addition, he was selected as one of the Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week.

Sutherland made his only field-goal attempt, from 29 yards, and extra-point try on Sept. 4 at Kentucky.

SPARKS FLYING FOR WARHAWK OFFENSE AND DEFENSE –
ULM senior cornerback Adam Sparks and senior wide receiver Jared Sparks are making impacts on their respective sides of the ball. The brothers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reunited in Monroe for the 2021 season after Adam started his career at Missouri and Jared played at Purdue. Adam leads ULM with 22 tackles while adding a pass break-up, quarterback hurry, fumble recovery and forced fumble. Jared has eight catches for 87 yards. He had three grabs for 63 yards and his season-long reception of 37 yards on Saturday vs. Troy.

SHELBY LEADS FBS IN SACKS PER GAME –
ULM super senior Ty Shelby, who continues to be a menace for opposing quarterbacks, has been added to the Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award, presented annually since 2002 to the nation's top defensive end. The Houston, Texas, native has posted five sacks through three games, including a sack for a safety on Saturday vs. Troy. His five sacks lead the Football Bowl Subdivision at 1.67 sacks per game. He has 11 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two quaterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference in total sacks, a half sack behind Troy's Javon Solomon, who has played in one more game than Shelby.

Shelby also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and ninth in FBS at 1.8 tackles for loss per game.

Shelby picked up four tackles, including a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Troy. He had two sacks in the home opener against Jackson State, including his first forced fumble of the season. He also picked up one quarterback hurry.

Shelby was named to Scouting Insiders National Defensive Player of the Week after recording five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist), including a career-best two sacks for 11 yards, and recovered a fumble at Kentucky in the 2021 season opener. Shelby finished with a team-high 10 production points.

Shelby ranked third on the team in tackles for loss (6.5 for 14 yards) and sacks (2 for 2 yards) in 2020, setting career highs in both categories. Shelby finished second among ULM defensive linemen and ranked eighth on the team with a career-best 36 tackles (13 solos, 23 assists).

The Preseason All-Sun Belt selection (third team by Pro Football Focus and fourth team by Athlon Sports) heads into his third year as one of ULM's starting defensive ends. Shelby has started 20 of 45 career games and his career totals include 113 total tackles, with 18.5 resulting in losses (69 yards) including 8.5 sacks (38 yards).

HENRY BREAKS 100-YARD MARK –
ULM freshman running back Andrew Henry made the most of his second career start on Saturday against Troy. The Dallas, Texas, native rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries and scored his first career touchdown, a 40-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play. It is the first 100-yard rushing game by a Warhawk since Josh Johnson ran for 109 yards at UL Lafayette on Nov. 30, 2019. He leads ULM with 169 yards rushing on 36 carries, good for a 4.7 yards per carry average, which ranks seventh in the Sun Belt Conference.

BOOGIE ON THE BAYOU –
Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 10th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 4.0 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (12) and receiving yards (137). Seven of his 12 catches have resulted in a first down (58 percent). He also has four receptions of 15 or more yards.

In ULM's 12-7 win over Jackson State, Knight again matched his career best with six catches for 78 yards. In his ULM debut at Kentucky, he had six receptions for 58 yards. Four of his catches produced first downs against the Wildcats, including third-down grabs of 14 and 15 yards from Rhett Rodriquez on ULM's first scoring drive (12 plays for 43 yards).

Knight ranks No. 16 among active NCAA FBS leaders in combined kick (punts and kickoffs) returns with 1,245 career yards. He also has accounted for 2,160 career all-purpose yards.

Knight, a transfer from Akron, previously set career highs for receptions (6) and receiving yards (121) against Eastern Michigan in 2019.

ULM BOASTS THREE QUARTERBACKS WITH NCAA FBS STARTING EXPERIENCE –
ULM is one of 15 programs to enter the 2021 season with three or more quarterbacks who have started at least one NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision game: sophomore Colby Suits (started the first eight games in 2020), junior Jeremy Hunt (started the last two games of the 2020 season) and junior Rhett Rodriguez (transfer from Arizona started one game in 2018 and the first three games of the 2021 season).

Rodriguez has completed 35-of-62 passes for 338 yards through the first three games of the season. He was 10-for-16 through the air for 131 yards and one touchdown against Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener.

HAWLEY ECLIPSES 200-TACKLE CAREER MILESTONE –
With three stops (2 solos, 1 assist) in the season opener at Kentucky, ULM fifth-year senior safety Austin Hawley eclipsed the 200-tackle career milestone. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Hawley has recorded 204 total tackles (115 solos, 88 assists), ranking No. 66 among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players.

In 2020, he finished second on the Warhawks with a career-best 77 tackles (49 solos, 28 assists). Hawley recorded double-figure tackles in three of his last four games, including a career-high 12 stops in the home finale against the Ragin' Cajuns. He produced 11 tackles each against Appalachian State (4-yard sack) and at Arkansas State (career-high 2 tackles for loss for 4 yards). Hawley registered his second career interception at Liberty and returned it 39 yards.

MCCORMICK EMERGES AS SPECIAL TEAMS WEAPON –
Junior punter Devyn McCormick is third in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 43.7 yards per punt over the first three contests of the 2021 season. He has placed five punts inside the 20-yard line, including two against Troy.

In the Sun Belt Conference opener vs. Troy, McCormick punted seven times for an average of 45.7 yards, including a season long of 55 yards. He pinned the Trojans inside the 20-yard line twice, including a punt that was downed by Traveion Webster at the 4-yard line in the fourth quarter.

Against Jackson State, McCormick punted seven times for an average of 44.0 yards and a game-high kick of 54 yards.

McCormick averaged 42.1 yards on 10 punts in the 2021 season opener at Kentucky, including one kick inside the Wildcats' 20-yard line. McCormick hit a game-best 49-yarder early in the second quarter.

McCormick transferred to ULM from Ave Maria (Fla.), where he was a three-time All-Sun Division selection and led the NAIA in punting in 2020 at 42.5 yards per punt while placing 11-of-29 punts inside the 20-yard line.

WEBSTER RETURNS AS HEART OF DEFENSE –
Fifth-year senior linebacker Traveion Webster was second on the team with nine tackles while adding a half sack in Saturday's Sun Belt Conference opener against Troy. His sack, shared with nose guard Caleb Thomas, came on Troy's fourth-and-7 play to open the second quarter at the ULM 39-yard line.

Webster led ULM with seven tackles (two solo, five assists) in the 2021 home opener against Jackson State. He had a half tackle for loss in the win as well. He totaled five tackles (two solo, three assists) in the season-opening loss at Kentucky. He is second on the team with 21 tackles while adding a tackle for loss, half a sack and a pass breakup.

Webster returns in 2021 after he led the Warhawks in tackles (82 total: 37 solos, 45 assists), tackles for loss (8.5 for 25 yards), sacks (2.5 for 18 yards) and quarterback hurries (5). The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Webster ranked fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 8.2 per game. He led the team in tackles in five games, including three double-digit efforts.

EIGHTEEN WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2021 –
ULM's starting lineup through three games of the 2021 season has featured 18 first-time starters for the Warhawks, including 10 on the offensive side of the football, six on defense and two specialists.

The Warhawk starting lineup in the 2021 home opener vs. Jackson State featured four first-time starters, with three on offense and one on defense. The first-time starters on offense were running back Kaydn Roach (6-0, 203, Fr.), right guard Aries Davis (6-2, 320, Sr.-6) and left tackle Willie Tyler (6-7, 330, So.). The lone first-time starter on defense was safety Tavier Williams (6-2, 190, Fr.).

ULM's starting lineup for the 2021 season opener at Kentucky featured 14 first-time starters for the Warhawks, including seven on the offensive side of the football, five on defense and two specialists. The first-time starters on offense were outside receiver Jared Sparks (6-1, 212, Sr.-6), left guard Peyton Dunn (6-7, 306, R-Fr.), right tackle Keydrell Lewis (6-6, 310, Fr.), tight end Zach Rasmussen (6-4, 225, Jr.), quarterback Rhett Rodriguez (6-0, 190, Jr.), running back Andrew Henry (5-10, 196, So.) and inside receiver Boogie Knight (5-10, 191, Jr.). The first-time starters on defense included nose guard Caleb Thomas (6-0, 311, Jr.), defensive tackle Quincy Ledet (6-2, 288, Fr.), Mike linebacker Zack Woodard (6-1, 235, Jr.), nickel Nick Roberts (5-11, 175, Jr.) and field corner Adam Sparks (6-0, 169, Sr.-5). Placekicker Calum Sutherland (5-10, 176, Sr.-5) and punter Devyn McCormick (6-2, 201, Jr.) also made their starting debuts for ULM.

Ten of those 18 starters came to ULM with previous starting experience at the NCAA Football Bowl or Championship Subdivisions. The five true first-time starters included Dunn, Lewis, Henry, Ledet, McCormick, Roach, Tyler and Williams.

DISCIPLINE MATTERS –
Since taking over the ULM program, first-year head coach Terry Bowden has emphasized the importance of playing disciplined football and his team has taken the message to heart. The Warhawks rank among the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM is second in the SBC and 10th in FBS at 33.3 penalty yards per game and second in the SBC and 11th in FBS at 4.3 penalties per game. The Warhawks were penalized seven times for 50 yards on Saturday vs. Troy.

QUICK HITTERS –
• ULM is one of five NCAA FBS teams that hasn't allowed a fourth-down conversion (0-for-4) in 2021.
• Super senior Ja'Cquez Williams returned the first interception of his career 96 yards for a score in the fourth quarter against Troy. It marks the third-longest interception return in the NCAA FBS this season, trailing only Boise State's Tyric LeBeauf (100 yards vs. UCF) and Eastern Michigan's David Carter (98 yards vs. Wisconsin).
• Junior Zach Jackson scored his third career touchdown on a 23-yard grab from Rhett Rodriguez to open the scoring in ULM's 29-16 victory over Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. It marked Jackson's first TD reception since Nov. 23, 2019, against Coastal Carolina.
• ULM super senior cornerback Mark Williams ranks eighth among active NCAA FBS leaders with 31 career passes defended (8 interceptions, 23 pass break-ups).

SEASONED STAFF –
ULM head coach Terry Bowden (17 seasons) and associate head coach/offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez (16) have a combined 33 years of head coaching experience at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision/Football Championship Subdivision levels. The 33 combined seasons of head coaching experience rank second among FBS staffs, trailing only Wake Forest, which boasts a combined total of 41 years (head coach Dave Clawson, 22 seasons; associate head coach/wide receivers coach Kevin Higgins, 16; and assistant head coach/defensive line coach Dave Cohen, 4).

Including all four-year programs, Bowden (25) and Rodriguez (24) have a combined 49 seasons of head coaching experience.

BOWDEN RANKS AMONG NCAA FBS/FCS WINNINGEST ACTIVE HEAD COACHES –
ULM's Terry Bowden ranks tied for 12th among NCAA FBS/FCS winningest active head coaches with 172 career victories.

BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (177) and Tommy (90), have combined for 643 wins – the most by any family in NCAA Division I football history. Bobby and Terry became the first father-son combo to serve as head coaches at the NCAA Division I level at the same time while Bobby and Tommy became the first father-son combo ever to coach against each other as head coaches. In a feat likely never to be duplicated, all three Bowden coaches went undefeated and were named National Coach of the Year in the same decade (1990s: Terry, Auburn, 1993; Tommy, Tulane, 1998; and Bobby, Florida State, 1999).

WARHAWKS TO FACE SIX 2020 BOWL SQUADS IN 2021 –
ULM is scheduled to play six teams which played in a bowl game in the 2020 season this fall. Kentucky (5-6, Gator), Coastal Carolina (11-1, Cure), Georgia State (6-4, LendingTree), Liberty (10-1, Cure), App State (Myrtle Beach) and the Ragin' Cajuns (First Responder) all played in bowl games. Two other teams, Jackson State (4-3) and LSU (5-5), finished .500 or better but did not play in the postseason.

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

Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Tackles for Loss: Ty Shelby (9th at 1.8 tackles for loss per game)
Sacks: Ty Shelby (1st at 1.67 sacks per game)
Forced Fumbles: Quincy Ledet Jr. (44th at 0.33 forced fumbles per game); Ty Shelby (44th at 0.33 forced fumbles per game); Adam Sparks (44th at 0.33 forced fumbles per game); Keilos Swinney (44th at 0.33 forced fumbles per game); Tavier Williams (44th at 0.33 forced fumbles per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Austin Hawley (20th at 1 fumble recovery); Ty Shelby (20th at 1 fumble recovery); Adam Sparks (20th at 1 fumble recovery), Mark Williams (20th at 1 fumble recovery)
Field Goal Percentage: Calum Sutherland (47th, .778, 7-of-9 field goal attempts)
Field Goals Per Game: Calum Sutherland (1st at 2.33 field goals per game)
Punting: Devyn McCormick (42nd at 43.7 yards per punt)

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under first-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021: 3 games):

Games played in Malone Stadium: 2-0
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-1

Games played in August: 0-0
Games played in September: 2-1
Games played in October: 0-0
Games played in November: 0-0
Games played in December: 0-0

When leading at halftime: 0-0
When trailing at halftime: 2-1
When tied at halftime: 0-0

When scoring first: 2-1
When opponent scores first: 0-0

When leading after first quarter: 2-0
When trailing after first quarter: 0-1
When tied after first quarter: 0-0

When leading after three quarters: 1-0
When trailing after three quarters: 1-1
When tied after three quarters: 0-0

Overtime games: 0-0

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 1-0
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 1-1
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-0
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-0

When outrushing opponent: 2-0
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-1

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-0
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 2-1

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 2-1

When leading in time of possession: 1-0
When trailing in time of possession: 1-1
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0

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