ULM Faces South Alabama in 71st Homecoming Game

Football Oct 20

Game 7: South Alabama (4-2, 1-2 SBC) vs. ULM (3-3, 1-2 SBC)
Saturday, Oct. 23 | 6:05 p.m. CT
Malone Stadium (30,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN3 | KLIP 105.3 FM

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ULM Football Notes: Game 7 vs. South Alabama

Digital Game Program

Flipcard

Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks conclude a three-game homestand at 6 p.m. Saturday when they host the South Alabama Jaguars at Malone Stadium. ULM is coming off a 31-28 come-from-behind win over Liberty on Saturday in Monroe to improve to 3-3 overall. The Warhawks are still 1-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama rolled to a 41-14 win over Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 14 to improve to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SBC. USA's two losses have been by a combined four points.

• Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between ULM and South Alabama. The Warhawks lead the series, 4-3. USA won last year's meeting at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, 38-14. ULM has won two of the last three meetings, picking up a 30-17 win at Malone Stadium on Sept. 28, 2019, and a 38-10 win at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile on Nov. 10, 2018. The Warhawks are 3-0 all-time in Monroe against South Alabama.

• Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-27-1 (.607) in 70 Homecoming games,
including a 1-0 record against South Alabama. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 20
Homecoming contests.

ULM last played host to South Alabama for its Homecoming game on Oct. 28, 2012. Brent Leonard had nine receptions for 126 yards, including a program-record four touchdown grabs, while Kolton Browning was 23-for-35 passing for 250 yards, four scores and one interception in a 38-24 Warhawk victory.

• Junior linebacker Zack Woodard, who recorded a season-high 10 tackles including a career-best 1.5 sacks for 13 yards in ULM's 31-28 upset victory over Liberty, has been named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week. It marked Woodard's fifth career double-figure tackle game, with his four previous efforts coming while playing at Jacksonville Sate. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry against the Flames.

• Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, as selected by a media panel. He also was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week, as selected by a panel of the state's sports information directors. His game-winning 53-yard field goal with 1:43 to play in the fourth quarter lifted ULM to a 31-28 upset of Liberty last Saturday. The kick is tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Sutherland, who had a 27-yard field-goal attempt blocked in the first quarter, accounted for seven points, hitting all four of his extra-point attempts to go along with his game-winning kick.

Sutherland leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 12th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 1.67 field goals made per game. Through six games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 41 points. He is tied with App State's Chandler Staton for the SBC lead with 10 field goals made and is second to Arkansas State's Blake Grupe for the SBC lead in field-goal percentage at .714. Sutherland has made all 11 of his extra-point tries.

• ULM senior linebacker Traveion Webster and senior cornerback Adam Sparks rank among the top tacklers in the Sun Belt Conference.

Webster leads ULM with 46 tackles. His 7.7 tackles per game is good for fourth in the SBC. He has 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and a pass break-up.

Sparks is second on the team with 39 tackles. His 6.5 tackles per game is 11th in the SBC. He has two pass break-ups, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

• ULM senior cornerback Mark Williams ranks 11th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players with nine career interceptions. Williams recorded eight interceptions at Eastern Illinois before transferring to ULM. He picked off his first pass as a Warhawk on Saturday, coming up with the interception with 1:04 remaining to seal the 31-28 upset win over Liberty. Williams also ranks ninth among active NCAA FBS leaders with 34 career passes defended (9 interceptions, 25 pass break-ups).

• ULM freshman quarterback Chandler Rogers has started the last three games following an injury to junior Rhett Rodriguez. The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 16-of-25 throws for 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in ULM's 31-28 upset victory over Liberty Saturday night. In the third quarter, Rogers went 9-for-9 for 91 yards, including TD strikes of 12 yards to Andrew Henry and 14 yards to Zach Rasmussen as the Warhawks rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit to take a 28-14 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, he directed a seven-play, 57-yard drive that resulted in Calum Sutherland's game-winning 53-yard field goal. Rogers accounted for 45 of the 57 yards on the decisive drive, including a 33-yard completion to Will Derrick on a third-and-5 play and a 12-yard scramble on third down to set-up the game-winning kick. He completed passes to eight different receivers and added 42 rushing yards on 25 carries.

• ULM leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks eighth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin at +1.17 per game. The Warhawks have recorded 11 takeaways (5 fumble recoveries, 6 interceptions) in six games. By comparison, ULM totaled 10 takeaways (6 fumble recoveries, 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 as one of the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the SBC and is ninth in FBS at 4.5 penalties per game. The Warhawks also lead the SBC and are 12th in FBS at 39.0 penalty yards per game. ULM was penalized just two times for 17 yards last Saturday vs. Liberty.

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

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 6 games):
Rushing – Andrew Henry (67 carries for 279 yards, 4.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Chandler Rogers (44 of 75, 58.7%, for 590 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Boogie Knight (23 catches for 282 yards, 12.3 avg.)
Tackles – Traveion Webster (46 tackles, 14 solos, 32 assists, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 PBU)

South Alabama (after 6 games):
Rushing – Bryan Hill (52 carries for 214 yards, 4.1 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Jake Bentley (122 of 179, 68.2%, for 1,505 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Jalen Tolbert (36 catches for 718 yards, 19.9 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Yam Banks (28 tackles, 17 solos, 11 assists, 4.0 TFL, 2 forced fumbles)

ULM/SOUTH ALABAMA SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between ULM and South Alabama. The Warhawks lead the series, 4-3. USA won last year's meeting at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, 38-14. ULM has won two of the last three meetings, picking up a 30-17 win at Malone Stadium on Sept. 28, 2019, and a 38-10 win at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile on Nov. 10, 2018. The Warhawks are 3-0 all-time in Monroe against South Alabama.

THE LAST MEETING –
South Alabama 38, ULM 14 (Oct. 24, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama): ULM lacked a finishing touch on Saturday night.

The Warhawks came up empty too many times in the red zone and surrendered too many pivotal plays in a 38-14 loss to South Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

The Warhawks fell to 0-6, 0-3 in the Sun Belt Conference while the Jaguars improved to 3-2, 2-0.

ULM quarterback Colby Suits completed 22-of-33 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown but also had an interception returned for a touchdown. With 92 rushing yards, ULM was unable to top 100 yards for the sixth time in the 2020 season.

Defensively, the Warhawks registered four sacks and seven tackles for loss but saw South Alabama receiver Kawaan Baker catch six balls for 154 yards and three touchdowns. The Jaguars were 8-of-14 on third down and 3-for-3 on fourth-down conversions.

Coming off an open date, ULM's early results looked good before South Alabama flipped the script.

Following a three-and-out by the defense, ULM's promising opening drive ended abruptly with a pick six that put South Alabama ahead 7-0. On second-and-10 from the USA 14, Suits' pass to Jevin Frett deflected to Devin Rockette, who returned the interception 95 yards for a touchdown.

The Jaguars led 10-0 after Diego Guajardo's 50-yard field goal capped a 10-play, 50-yard drive, with 3:01 left in the first quarter.

South Alabama struck again with 51 seconds left in the first quarter as Trotter connected with Baker on an 80-yard touchdown pass to go up 17-0.

South Alabama's two-quarterback system misfired when ULM linebacker Hunter Smith intercepted Chance Lovertich at the Warhawk 10 with 7:29 remaining before halftime.

ULM parlayed the turnover into points with an eight-play, 85-yard drive, finished as Josh Johnson bulled into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run. ULM trailed 17-6 after Davis Hughes missed the PAT, a score that stood until halftime.

With the first series of the second half, ULM delivered an impressive drive that ended in more frustration. The Warhawks covered 64 yards in 10 plays, stayed alive by converting on fourth-and-1 with a sliding catch by Jonathan Hodoh at the USA 7, yet ultimately came up empty when Hughes pushed a 29-yard field-goal attempt wide right.

South Alabama retaliated with another scoring march, covering 80 yards on 10 plays to extend the lead to 24-6. Baker contributed a 32-yard catch and Trotter scored on a 5-yard run for the Jaguars with 4:25 to play in the third.

After ULM turned the ball over on downs at midfield, the Jaguars constructed a five-play, 49-yard drive. Trotter found Baker for a 16-yard touchdown pass and South Alabama led 31-6 with 13 seconds remaining in the third.

Jordan Carroll caught his first career touchdown pass with 12:26 remaining in the fourth quarter and Frett added the two-point conversion catch from Suits as ULM cut the deficit to 31-14. Suits was 5-for-5 for 72 yards on the drive, including the TD toss to his former North Forney (Texas) High School teammate.

South Alabama played keep-away down the stretch with a 16-play, 71 yard drive that chewed 10:47 off the clock. Trotter fired his third touchdown pass to Baker on fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line with 1:30 left in the game. Trotter was 8-of-12 passing for 184 yards.

THE LAST MEETING AT MALONE STADIUM –
ULM 30, South Alabama 17 (Sept. 28, 2019 in Monroe, Louisiana): The big scoreboard at Malone Stadium wasn't always fully functional on Saturday night as ULM opened Sun Belt Conference play against South Alabama.

While some of the bells and whistles weren't operational, the scoreboard numbers that mattered most were in full display for the home crowd of 16,222 as ULM posted a 30-17 win.

Indeed, ULM (2-2, 1-1) shook off a lopsided loss the prior week at Iowa State to get conference play started right.

ULM quarterback Caleb Evans completed 17-of-25 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns and added another score on the ground. Josh Johnson ran for 93 yards on 15 carries while Josh Pederson, Markis McCray and Jonathan Hodoh all had touchdown grabs.

ULM's defense had a hard time corralling South Alabama running back Tra Minter, who rushed for 150 yards on 19 carries. The Jaguars (1-4, 0-1) gained 268 of their 377 yards on the ground on 78 offensive plays.

Led by linebacker Cortez Sisco's career-high 13 tackles, the Warhawks offset South Alabama's running success by holding the Jags to 4-of-16 on third-down conversions, registering four sacks and picking off the quarterback Cephus Johnson in the end zone.

The Jaguars made an early statement by taking their first offensive possession 90 yards in 12 plays. Cephus Johnson, who rushed for 40 yards on the march, punched it in from 3 yards for a 7-0 USA lead with 7:39 left in the first quarter.

Josh Johnson jumpstarted ULM's offense with a 49-yard run, setting up a 20-yard touchdown pass from Evans to Pederson to tie the game at 7-7. ULM moved 75 yards in four plays for the score with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Minter's 40-yard run put South Alabama in the red zone again as the first quarter ended. But cornerback Corey Straughter intercepted Johnson in the end zone for a timely ULM takeaway. Straughter has interceptions in three-straight games.

ULM took advantage of the turnaround with a methodical 11-play, 75 yard drive capped by Jared Porter's 22-yard field goal, to go up 10-7 with 9:34 to go in the second quarter.

After another defensive stand, the Warhawks popped a big play as McCray scored on a 52-yard reception from Evans. ULM covered 72 yards in four plays to go ahead 17-7 with 4:12 remaining in the half.

After the teams traded punts to open the second half, South Alabama narrowed the margin to 17-10 on a 21-yard field goal by Frankie Onate with 8:27 showing in the third quarter.

The Warhawks could muster little on offense through most of the third quarter, gaining just 45 yards with two first downs and three punts.

However, ULM was moving as the fourth quarter started and finished a 61-yard, nine-play drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Evans to Hodoh. Evans converted a clutch 12-yard pass to Pederson on fourth-and-7 to the USA 21 to keep the march going. While Porter missed the PAT, ULM extended the lead to 23-10 with 13:00 left in the game.

On the scoring drive that basically sealed the win for the Warhawks, Brandius Batiste made a 31-yard catch on third-and-15 and a 13-yard snag on fourth-and-4. Evans scored on a 13-yard dash to put ULM ahead 30-10 with 7:02 left in the game.

Evans distributed the ball to seven different targets during the contest.

Cephus Johnson's 8-yard run with 4:02 remaining accounted for the final margin, 30-17.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 31, Liberty 28 (Oct. 16, 2021 in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM fans will be reliving the Liberty game for years to come.

Calum Sutherland kicked a 53-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining for the winning edge and Mark Williams sealed the deal with an interception as ULM upset Liberty 31-28 at Malone Stadium.

The Warhawks were 32-point underdogs and trailed 14-0 at halftime but surged back with a 28-point third quarter.

There were plenty of signature moments for ULM (3-3), which forced three turnovers and sacked quarterback Malik Willis four times. Willis, an NFL prospect, rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns and completed 16-of 23 passes for 135 yards and a score but also threw three interceptions.

The offense started slow, but ULM overcame a two-touchdown halftime deficit with 28 unanswered points coming out of halftime. The Warhawks outgained Liberty (5-2) in total yards, 179-36, in the pivotal quarter, intercepted Willis to set up a touchdown and held the ball 9:18 of the period. Quarterback Chandler Rogers, who completed just four passes in the first half, was 9-of-9 for 91 yards and two touchdowns in the turnaround quarter.

Starting his third game in place of injured Rhett Rodriguez, Rogers completed 16-of-25 attempts for 225 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Sacked six times, he added 42 yards rushing.
After Sutherland's field goal, Liberty's last possession began at the 33-yard line with 1:38 left in the game. On first down, ULM's Zack Woodard sacked Willis, then Williams sealed the win with an interception with 1:04 left on the clock.

Woodard led ULM with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

ULM's defense was instrumental from the start as it forced two turnovers on downs while pitching a first-quarter shutout.

ULM first stopped the Flames at its own 32 after Liberty opened the game with a 14-play, 48-yard drive that chewed 7:19 off the clock. Josh Newton's pass break-up at the ULM 21 halted Liberty's march.

The Warhawks couldn't capitalize at the end of their first drive as Liberty's Aakil Washington blocked a 27-yard field-goal attempt and Skyler Thomas made a 73-yard return back to the ULM 2. Bowden noted that tight end Zach Rasmussen chased down Thomas and kept him from scoring as he angled out of bounds. Then facing fourth-and-goal from the 1, Woodard and Jahaziel Lee combined to stuff Shedro Louis for no gain on a huge defensive stand.

On its third fourth-down attempt, Liberty finally converted a fourth-and-1 at the ULM 34 to keep a second-quarter drive alive. But ULM would end that series with an interception by Trey Odom at the 1. Woodard pressured Willis on the ill-advised pass.

Pitching out of the end zone two plays later, Rogers was picked off by Daijahn Anthony at the ULM 20 and returned to the 18.

Liberty turned the takeaway into points in four plays as Willis scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown run. The Flames led 7-0 with 5:11 left in the first half.

Bottled up for most of the half, Willis would finish the second quarter on a high note by orchestrating an eight-play, 85-yard drive ending with a 9-yard touchdown pass to CJ Daniels with 16 seconds remaining. Willis completed a 20-yard pass and ran for 25 yards on the possession that took just 1:33 off the clock.

Liberty's dangerous offense finished the first half with 236 yards and 15 first downs while building a 14-0 lead. Through two quarters, ULM accumulated 133 yards on 31 plays with eight first downs, two punts and a turnover. Rogers completed 4-of-11 passes for 86 yards and led ULM rushers with 24 yards on 12 carries.

ULM's opening drive of the third quarter was just what the Warhawks needed to get back into the game.

ULM moved 73 yards in 10 plays, including a leaping one-handed Boogie Knight catch for 15 yards on third down to the Liberty 10. Two plays later, Andrew Henry caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to shave the Liberty lead to 14-7 with 11:09 to go in the quarter.

Newton intercepted Willis on Liberty's next series and returned the takeaway 24 yards to the Flames' 1. Bruising running back Abraham Alce finished the mission one play later with a touchdown run and ULM was tied 14-14 with 10:12 showing in the third.

The defense followed up with a three-and-out to set the table.

Now energized, ULM's offense came through again as Henry bolted 40 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Henry's score capped a five-play, 68-yard drive and ULM led 21-14 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

Liberty's next series fizzled too, thanks to a third-down sack by Ja'Cquez Williams, who sat out the first half because of a targeting penalty a week earlier.

In a third quarter for the ages, ULM was rolling now and piling on. Rogers tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to the tight end Rasmussen with 1:22 to go in the period to go up 28-14. The Warhawks drove 62 yards in eight plays.

Liberty pulled within 28-21with 13:42 left in the game by finishing an eight-play, 65-yard drive. Louis scored the touchdown on a 7-yard run.

After swapping fourth-quarter punts on three consecutive series, Willis delivered a 53-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 28-28 with 7:49 left. It took Liberty just 40 seconds to complete its three-play, 60-yard drive.

A third consecutive three-and-out by ULM gave the ball back to Willis, but the Warhawks came up with another big stop and forced a punt with 4:24 left in the game.

On third-and-5 from the ULM 12, Rogers hit Will Derrick for a 33-yard gain to keep the game-winning drive going.

With a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer added on, the Warhawks moved to the Liberty 40. Then facing fourth-and-6 from the 36, Bowden sent kicker Sutherland out for a 53-yard attempt. Sutherland slipped the kick right over the crossbar for a 31-28 lead with 1:44 left in the game.

WARHAWKS CELEBRATE 71ST HOMECOMING GAME –
Since becoming a four-year college in 1951, ULM is 42-27-1 (.607) in 70 Homecoming games,
including a 1-0 record against South Alabama. The Warhawks have won 13 of their last 20
Homecoming contests.

ULM last played host to South Alabama for its Homecoming game on Oct. 28, 2012. Brent Leonard had nine receptions for 126 yards, including a program-record four touchdown grabs, while Kolton Browning was 23-for-35 passing for 250 yards, four scores and one interception in a 38-24 Warhawk victory.

Miscellaneous Homecoming Stats
ULM Longest Winning Streak: 4 (1981-84; 1996-99; and 2007-10)
ULM Longest Losing Streak: 5 (1961-65)
Highest Scoring Game (Combined Points): 99 (2002: 2OT – ULM 51, Utah State 48)

WILLIAMS SHINES AT CORNER FOR WARHAWKS –
ULM senior cornerback Mark Williams ranks 11th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players with nine career interceptions. Williams recorded eight interceptions at Eastern Illinois before transferring to ULM. He picked off his first pass as a Warhawk on Saturday, coming up with the interception with 1:04 remaining to seal the 31-28 upset win over Liberty. Williams also ranks ninth among active NCAA FBS leaders with 34 career passes defended (9 interceptions, 25 pass break-ups).

SHELBY CONTINUES TO PRESSURE OPPOSING QUARTERBACKS –
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 six games, including a sack for a safety on Sept. 25 vs. Troy. His five sacks rank third in the Sun Belt Conference and 18th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision at 0.83 sacks per game. He has 29 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery through six games.

Shelby recorded six tackles (three solos, three assists) with a half tackle for loss last Saturday against Liberty. He had a season-high seven tackles (two solos, five assists) on Oct. 9 vs. Georgia State. He had five tackles (one solo and four assists), including half a tackle for loss, at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2.

Shelby picked up four tackles, including a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Troy on Sept. 25. He had two sacks in the home opener against Jackson State on Sept. 18, 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) is in his third year as one of ULM's starting defensive ends. Shelby has started 25 of 50 career games and his career totals include 137 total tackles, with 23.0 resulting in losses (96 yards) including 11.5 sacks (63 yards).

WOODARD NAMED LSWA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK –
Junior linebacker Zack Woodard, who recorded a season-high 10 tackles including a career-best 1.5 sacks for 13 yards in ULM's 31-28 upset victory over Liberty, has been named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week. It marked Woodard's fifth career double-figure tackle game, with his four previous efforts coming while playing at Jacksonville Sate. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry against the Flames.

The Warhawk defense played a pivotal role in the upset win against Liberty, coming up with two fourth-down stops and three interceptions. Late in the first quarter, Woodard combined with Jahaziel Lee to stuff Shedro Louis for no gain on fourth-and-goal from the ULM 1-yard line. The Warhawks turned away the Flames, who had four shots to score from the ULM 2 after a 73-yard return after a blocked field goal. In the third quarter, ULM limited Liberty to just two first downs and 36 total yards on 12 plays as the Warhawks turned a 14-0 halftime deficit into a 28-14 lead.

Woodard's interception with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter iced ULM's 12-7 victory over Jackson State in the 2021 home opener.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Woodard ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 34 (13 solos, 21 assists). He also ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (4 for 18 yards) and sacks (2.5 for 16 yards).

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 is 11th in the Sun Belt Conference with 6.5 tackles per game. He is second on the team with 39 tackles (21 solo, 18 assists) while adding two pass break-ups, a quarterback hurry, fumble recovery and forced fumble. He picked up four tackles (one solo, three assists) in Saturday's upset win vs. Liberty. He totaled eight tackles (four solos, four assists) against Georgia State on Oct. 9. He had five tackles and a pass break-up at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2. He amassed a season-high 10 tackles (four solo, six assists) against Troy on Sept. 25.

Jared has 16 catches for 166 yards. He has posted three catches for 29 yards in each of the last two games against Liberty and Georgia State. He had three grabs and a season-high 63 yards to go with his season-long reception of 37 yards on Sept. 25 vs. Troy.

ROGERS TAKES CHARGE –
ULM freshman quarterback Chandler Rogers has started the last three games following an injury to junior Rhett Rodriguez. The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 16-of-25 throws for 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in ULM's 31-28 upset victory over Liberty Saturday night. In the third quarter, Rogers went 9-for-9 for 91 yards, including TD strikes of 12 yards to Andrew Henry and 14 yards to Zach Rasmussen as the Warhawks rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit to take a 28-14 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, he directed a seven-play, 57-yard drive that resulted in Calum Sutherland's game-winning 53-yard field goal. Rogers accounted for 45 of the 57 yards on the decisive drive, including a 33-yard completion to Will Derrick on a third-and-5 play and a 12-yard scramble on third down to set-up the game-winning kick. He completed passes to eight different receivers and added 42 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Rogers had his first 200-yard passing game on Oct. 9 vs. Georgia State, completing 15-of-23 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also led the Warhawks in rushing for the second consecutive game, picking up 72 yards on 14 carries.

SUTHERLAND LEADS SUN BELT IN FIELD GOALS PER GAME –
Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, as selected by a media panel. He also was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week, as selected by a panel of the state's sports information directors. His game-winning 53-yard field goal with 1:43 to play in the fourth quarter lifted ULM to a 31-28 upset of Liberty last Saturday. The kick is tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Sutherland, who had a 27-yard field-goal attempt blocked in the first quarter, accounted for seven points, hitting all four of his extra-point attempts to go along with his game-winning kick.

Sutherland leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 12th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 1.67 field goals made per game. Through six games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 41 points. He is tied with App State's Chandler Staton for the SBC lead with 10 field goals made and is second to Arkansas State's Blake Grupe for the SBC lead in field-goal percentage at .714. Sutherland has made all 11 of his extra-point tries.

Sutherland connected on all three of his extra-point attempts and missed a field-goal attempt from 41 yards on Saturday against Georgia State.

Sutherland picked up all six of ULM's points at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2, booting through field goals from 40 and 30 yards against the Chanticleers.

Sutherland made both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries on Sept. 25 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.

WARHAWKS EXCEL ON OPENING DRIVES AND EARLY LEADS –
ULM has scored on three of its opening drives and has scored first in four of its first six games in 2021.

The Warhawks were shut out in the first quarter and first half for the first time this season on Saturday vs. Liberty. However, ULM scored 28 points in the third quarter and rallied for the 31-28 win over the Flames.

While unable to score on the opening drive against Georgia State on Oct. 9, the Warhawks scored the first points when freshman quarterback Chandler Rogers found junior tight end Zach Rasmussen for a 25-yard touchdown pass on the second drive of the game for the 7-0 lead with 9:35 left in the first quarter.

ULM scored on its opening drive for the third consecutive game to open the season in the Sun Belt Conference opener against Troy on Sept. 25. The Warhawks capped an eight-play, 83-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Rhett Rodriguez to senior wide receiver Zach Jackson to claim a 7-0 lead with 8:03 to play in the first quarter.

In the home-opener against Jackson State on Sept. 18, ULM closed out a 10-play, 45-yard drive with a 29-yard field goal from senior placekicker Calum Sutherland to take a 3-0 lead with 9:17 remaining in the first quarter.

The Warhawks took their first lead since the 2019 season on the opening drive of the 2021 season at Kentucky on Sept. 4. After sophomore safety Jabari Johnson ended Kentucky's drive with an interception, ULM concluded a 12-play, 43-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Kadyn Roach to go on top 7-0 with 8:53 left in the first quarter.

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 the Sept. 25 29-16 victory over Troy in the league opener for both teams, was named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week as selected by a media panel on Sept. 27. 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 was the second Warhawk to earn one of the conference's weekly awards. On Sept. 20, 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. Sutherland earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors again on Monday.

Williams recorded a sack on Saturday vs. Liberty after sitting out the first half due to a targeting penalty on Oct. 9 vs. Georgia State. He has 219 tackles in his career, ranking him 65th among active players.

HENRY CLAIMS STARTING RUNNING BACK ROLE –
ULM freshman running back Andrew Henry led ULM in rushing for the second time on Saturday vs. Liberty, gaining 80 yards on 15 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He leads ULM in rushing (279 yards) and rushing touchdowns (2). In addition, the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Henry has gained an impressive 71 percent of his rushing yards (199 of 279) after contact. He ranks second on the team in runs of 10 or more yards (7) and runs that result in first downs (8).

Henry made the most of his second career start on Sept. 25 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.

BEWARE THE BOOGIE KNIGHT –
Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 13th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 3.8 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (23) and receiving yards (282). Eleven of his 23 catches have resulted in a first down (48 percent). He also has nine receptions of 15 or more yards.

Knight was limited to two catches for 24 yards against Liberty, but made a one-handed catch with the assistance of his helmet on ULM's first scoring drive in the third quarter. The play was ranked as the No. 1 play on ESPN's SportsCenter at Night Top 10.

Knight had five grabs and matched a season-high with 78 yards, including a 40-yard reception to set a new season-long, against Georgia State on Oct. 9.

After getting targeted just once against Troy, Knight made an immediate impact at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2 with a team-high four receptions for 47 yards. Three of his receptions came in the first quarter.

In ULM's 12-7 win over Jackson State on Sept. 18, Knight again matched his career best with six catches for 78 yards. In his ULM debut at Kentucky on Sept. 4, 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. 14 among active NCAA FBS leaders in combined kick (punts and kickoffs) returns with 1,406 career yards. He also has accounted for 2,466 career all-purpose yards, which ranks No. 76 among active FBS players.

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 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. He has not played at No. 16 Coastal Carolina, vs. Georgia State and vs. Liberty due to injury.

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 211 total tackles (120 solos, 91 assists), ranking No. 76 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 averaging 41.0 yards per punt over the first six contests of the 2021 season. He has placed nine punts inside the 20-yard line, including two against Liberty on Saturday. He has seven punts of 50 yards or longer, including a long of 52 yards on Saturday vs. Liberty.

On Oct. 2 at Coastal Carolina, McCormick launched seven punts for an average of 40.4 yards and a season long of 56 yards, putting one punt inside the 20-yard line.

In the Sun Belt Conference opener vs. Troy on Sept. 25, McCormick punted seven times for an average of 45.7 yards, including a 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, setting up a safety.

Against Jackson State on Sept. 18, 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 on Sept. 4, 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 is fourth in the Sun Belt Conference with 7.7 tackles per game. He leads the Warhawks with 46 tackles (14 solo, 32 assists) while adding in 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and a pass breakup. He had eight tackles (two solos, six assists) with half a tackle for loss vs. Liberty. He hit double-digit tackles for the first time in 2021 with 10 tackles (two solo, 10 assists) on Oct. 9 vs. Georgia State.

Webster led the team in tackles for the second time this season, posting seven tackles (three solo, four assists) with a half tackle for loss at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2.

Webster was second on the team with nine tackles while adding a half sack in the Sun Belt Conference opener against Troy on Sept. 25. 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 on Sept. 18. 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 on Sept. 4.

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.

TWENTY WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2021 –
ULM's starting lineup through six games of the 2021 season has featured 20 first-time starters for the Warhawks, including 12 on the offensive side of the football, six on defense and two specialists.

ULM's starting lineup at No. 16 Coastal Carolina included two first-time starters, with both on offense. Quarterback Chandler Rogers (6-0, 188, Fr.) and wide receiver Fred Lloyd Jr. (6-4, 211, Jr.) each made their first start for the Warhawks.

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 20 starters came to ULM with previous starting experience at the NCAA Football Bowl or Championship Subdivisions. The 10 true first-time starters included Dunn, Lewis, Henry, Ledet, Lloyd, McCormick, Roach, Rogers, 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 as one of the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the SBC and is ninth in FBS at 4.5 penalties per game. The Warhawks also lead the SBC and are 12th in FBS at 39.0 penalty yards per game. ULM was penalized just two times for 17 yards on Saturday vs. Liberty.

QUICK HITTERS –
• ULM ranks second in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in fourth-down conversion percentage defense at .143. The Warhawks have allowed just one fourth-down conversion on seven attempts this season. Liberty was stopped twice on fourth down Saturday before converting its final attempt of the game.
• 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 fourth-longest interception return in the NCAA FBS this season, trailing only Boise State's Tyric LeBeauf (100 yards vs. UCF), UAB's Grayson Cash (100 yards vs. FAU) and Eastern Michigan's David Carter (98 yards vs. Wisconsin).
• ULM super senior cornerback Mark Williams ranks ninth among active NCAA FBS leaders with 34 career passes defended (9 interceptions, 25 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 12th among NCAA FBS/FCS winningest active head coaches with 173 career victories.

BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (178) and Tommy (90), have combined for 644 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)
Sacks: Ty Shelby (18th at 0.83 sacks per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Aries Davis (44th at 1 fumble recovery); Quae Drake (44th at 1 fumble recovery); Austin Hawley (44th at 1 fumble recovery); Ty Shelby (44th at 1 fumble recovery); Adam Sparks (44th at 1 fumble recovery); Mark Williams (44th at 1 fumble recovery)
Field Goals Per Game: Calum Sutherland (12th at 1.67 field goals per game)

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under first-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021: 6 games):

Games played in Malone Stadium: 3-1
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-2

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

When leading at halftime: 0-0
When trailing at halftime: 3-3
When tied at halftime: 0-0

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

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

When leading after three quarters: 2-0
When trailing after three quarters: 1-3
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: 1-3
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 1-0

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

When outrushing opponent: 2-0
When being outrushed by opponent: 1-3

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 1-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 2-3

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 0-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 3-3

When leading in time of possession: 1-0
When trailing in time of possession: 2-3
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0

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