ULM Opens 3-Game Homestand Against Georgia State

Football Oct 08

Game 5: Georgia State (1-4, 0-1 SBC) at ULM (2-2, 1-1 SBC)
Saturday, Oct. 9 | 7:05 p.m. CT
Malone Stadium (30,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN3 | KLIP 105.3 FM

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ULM Football Notes: Game 5 vs. Georgia State

Digital Game Program

Flipcard

Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks open a three-game homestand at 7 p.m. Saturday when they host the Georgia State Panthers at Malone Stadium. ULM is coming off a 59-6 loss to No. 16/16 Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina, to drop to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia State lost its Sun Belt Conference opener at home to App State, 45-16, on Saturday to move to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the SBC.

• Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The series is tied at 3, with Georgia State winning three of the last four meetings. The Panthers won, 52-34, last season in Atlanta on Nov. 7, 2020. The Warhawks won the last meeting in Monroe, 45-31, on Nov. 9, 2019. ULM has won two of three meetings in Monroe, including the first-ever meeting between the schools on the gridiron, 38-10, on Oct. 26, 2013.

• ULM's 2021 roster features five players from the state of Georgia: sophomore defensive tackle Tyrese Black (McDonough/Eagles Landing Christian Academy), freshman offensive tackle Keydrell Lewis (Atlanta/Mallard Creek), junior wide receiver Fred Lloyd Jr. (Tifton/Tift County), red-shirt freshman wide receiver Dariyan Wiley (Atlanta/Douglasville County) and super senior linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams (Hinesville/Liberty County).

• 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 four games, including a sack for a safety on Sept. 25 vs. Troy. His five sacks rank second in the Sun Belt Conference and third in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision at 1.25 sacks per game, trailing only Nevada's Tristan Nichols (2.0 sacks per game) and Troy's Javon Solomon (1.3). He has 16 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Shelby also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and 14th in FBS at 1.5 tackles for loss per game.

• Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 2.25 field goals made per game. Through four games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 31 points, connecting on 9-of-11 field-goal attempts and 4-of-4 extra-point tries.

A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland picked up all six of ULM's points at No. 16 Coastal Carolina Saturday, booting through field goals from 40 and 30 yards against the Chanticleers.

• Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 12th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 4.0 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (16) and receiving yards (184). Nine of his 16 catches have resulted in a first down (56 percent). He also has six receptions of 15 or more yards.

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

• Junior punter Devyn McCormick is third in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 41.6 yards per punt over the first four contests of the 2021 season. He has placed six punts inside the 20-yard line, including one at No. 16 Coastal Carolina. He has five punts of 50 yards or longer.

At CCU, 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.

• Freshman quarterback Chandler Rogers made his first career start in Saturday's game at No. 16 Coastal Carolina. Rogers completed 9-of-17 passes for 100 yards with one interception and was sacked twice. He led the team in rushing with 11 carries for 40 yards with a long of 20 yards.

• ULM leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks seventh in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin at +1.75 per game. The Warhawks have recorded eight takeaways (5 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions) in four 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 the one of the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the nation at 31.3 penalty yards per game and leads the SBC and is sixth in FBS at 4.0 penalties per game. The Warhawks were penalized just three times for 25 yards at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore, 4 freshmen
ULM Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 3 freshmen
GSU Offense: 7 seniors, 4 juniors
GSU Defense: 7 seniors, 1 junior, 3 sophomores

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 4 games):
Rushing – Andrew Henry (42 carries for 184 yards, 4.4 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Rhett Rodriguez (35 of 62, 56.5%, for 338 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving – Boogie Knight (16 catches for 184 yards, 11.5 avg.)
Tackles – Adam Sparks (28 tackles, 17 solos, 11 assists, 2 PBU, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble)

Georgia State (after 5 games):
Rushing – Tucker Gregg (44 carries for 267 yards, 6.1 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Cornelious Brown (40 of 77, 51.9%, for 368 yards, 0 TD, 4 INTs)
Receiving – Jamari Thrash (15 catches for 209 yards, 13.9 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Jordan Veneziale (44 tackles, 24 solos, 20 assists, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble)

ULM/GSU SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The series is tied at 3, with Georgia State winning three of the last four meetings. The Panthers won, 52-34, last season in Atlanta on Nov. 7, 2020. The Warhawks won the last meeting in Monroe, 45-31, on Nov. 9, 2019. ULM has won two of three meetings in Monroe, including the first-ever meeting between the schools on the gridiron, 38-10, on Oct. 26, 2013.

THE LAST MEETING –
Georgia State 52, ULM 34 (Nov. 7, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia): Sluggish starts contributed mightily to ULM's woes in 2020.

The Warhawks descended into a familiar flight pattern on Saturday before falling 52-34 to Georgia State at Center Parc Stadium.

ULM trailed 21-0 in another rocky first quarter that featured two lost fumbles by the Warhawks (0-8, 0-5 Sun Belt Conference), and faced a 42-14 deficit by halftime. ULM, which has not led through eight games, has been outscored 108-17 in the first quarter this season and 197-65 in the first half.

If not for the early outcome, the Warhawks might have had a puncher's chance after finding an offensive spark off the sidelines.

Quarterback Jeremy Hunt saw his most extensive action of the year in relief of starter Colby Suits and delivered a career-best performance by completing 26-of-39 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns.

Suits was 0-for-3 passing with an interception and a lost fumble. Georgia State recorded six sacks against the two ULM quarterbacks.

ULM's Perry Carter Jr. overcame a costly special teams miscue to score three touchdowns (two receiving) while catching four passes for a career-high 124 yards.

Overall, the Warhawks made three turnovers leading to 21 points and were outgained 504 to 424 yards by the Panthers (3-3, 2-3) in a high-scoring affair.

Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown passed for 241 yards and three touchdowns while Cornelius McCoy made seven catches for 118 yards. The duo played a key role in the home team's explosive start.

Brown struck for 57 yards to McCoy on the first pass of the game to enter the red zone and needed six plays to cover 75 yards to take a 7-0 lead. Roger Carter's 4-yard touchdown catch from Brown provided the early cushion.

A mistake on special teams led to a deeper hole as Carter muffed a punt return and Georgia State recovered at the Warhawks' 37. Six plays later, Brown rushed for a 4-yard touchdown and the Panthers led 14-0 with 8:44 left in the first quarter.

ULM's next offensive series went south when Suits was sacked and lost a fumble. Georgia State recovered at the ULM 28 and turned the takeaway into points. McCoy scored his first touchdown of the year on a 5-yard pass from Brown and the Panthers led 21-0 with 5:16 remaining in the opening period.

Hunt's first entry in the game for ULM was a success as he directed an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Carter scored on a 2-yard speed sweep with 46 seconds left in the first quarter to shave the lead to 21-7.

McCoy's 18-yard touchdown reception on third down capped an 11-play, 60-yard drive and put Georgia State up 28-7 with 9:19 to go before the half.

Suits returned at quarterback only to toss an interception to Bryquice Brown at the ULM 35. Two plays later, Destin Coates scored on a 3-yard run and Georgia State led 35-7 at the 8:08 mark. Coates rushed for 102 yards as Georgia State gained 259 yards on the ground.

Hunt came back and executed a flea flicker for a 50-yard touchdown pass to Carter. The novelty play capped a quick four-play, 75-yard drive and closed the gap to 35-14 with 6:03 left in the second quarter.

Georgia State kept its ensuing drive alive with a fake punt that picked up a first down and went up 42-14 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Coates with 1:27 left in the half.

Hunt started the second half for ULM and directed his third scoring drive. Kadyn Roach's 19-yard touchdown jaunt in the third quarter was the first rushing TD of his career. Davis Hughes missed the PAT with 8:41 showing in the period after the nine-play, 67-yard drive and ULM trailed 42-20.

Georgia State extended its lead to 45-20 with a 21-yard field goal by Noel Ruiz at the 2:58 mark of the third quarter. The Panthers used 13 plays to go 72 yards

ULM started the fourth quarter by finishing a seven-play, 75-yard drive on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Hunt to Charles Norman, a walk-on running back from West Monroe. The Warhawks cut their deficit to 45-27 with 14:55 remaining in the game.

ULM's defense responded immediately by recovering a Georgia State fumble at the Panthers' 37. Seth Mason forced the turnover with a jarring hit on running back Gregg Tucker and Keilos Swinney recovered. The Warhawks on offense failed to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.

The Panthers turned to their power running game after the stop and went ahead 52-27 on Marcus Carroll's 5-yard touchdown run. Georgia State ran on six of seven plays covering 61 yards.

With 6:44 to go in the game, Hunt fired a 39-yard touchdown pass to Carter as both players added to their career-best performances. Hunt surpassed 300 yards and Carter topped 100 receiving yards on the big play.

THE LAST MEETING AT MALONE STADIUM –
ULM 45, Georgia State 31 (Nov. 9, 2019 in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM was in a rush to turn the page when the team hit the field on Saturday.

Running back Josh Johnson ran 20 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns as the Warhawks knocked off Georgia State 45-31 at Malone Stadium.

Johnson recorded his fifth 100-yard game of the season while becoming ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin (219 rushes for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs) in 2009.

ULM quarterback Caleb Evans added 110 rushing yards and a score and passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns for a balanced ULM attack that delivered 590 yards of total offense.

The Warhawks (4-5, 3-2) had lost two straight Sun Belt games, including a disappointing 48-41 home decision to Arkansas State last week, but their chances to reach bowl eligibility were still there. Further, ULM hadn't forgotten a stinging loss at Georgia State last year.

ULM needed all the firepower it could muster to outlast Georgia State (6-3, 3-2), which rushed for 414 yards as two runners also exceeded 100 yards. Tra Barnett dazzled with 190 yards and two TDs and Destin Coates added 119 yards and one score.

Star quarterback Dan Ellington, who left the game with an apparent right knee injury in the second quarter, rushed for 91 yards on nine carries.

The contest swung back and forth all afternoon as the teams traded scores. Overall, there were eight lead changes and two ties in the Sun Belt shootout. However, GSU's last four possessions resulted in a punt, a lost fumble and two turnovers on downs.

ULM went ahead for good at 38-31 when Evans flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Markis McCray with 7:40 left in the game to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive.

The first half featured more go than stops for the two potent offenses.

Georgia State scored on its first series with a 39-yard field goal by Brandon Wright. The Panthers churned out 45 yards on 12 plays to take the 3-0 lead.

Evans ran in a 16-yard touchdown with 5:59 left in the first quarter to put ULM ahead 7-3. A 30-yard catch by a wide-open Jonathan Hodoh was instrumental on the nine-play, 77-yard drive.

Coates split ULM's defense on a 37-yard touchdown run as Georgia State answered with 3:25 showing in the first to go up 10-7.

Tight end Josh Pederson's seventh touchdown catch of the year covered a career-long 43 yards from Evans as ULM regained the lead 14-10. ULM needed just five plays for the 94-yard drive that also featured a 36-yard run by Johnson. The touchdown pass was No. 50 in Evans' career and also moved him past Steven Jyles and into second place for career total yardage at ULM.

Trading big plays, Georgia State picked off Evans and converted the takeaway into points three plays later as Ellington scampered 40 yards for a touchdown. The successful three-play, 59-yard drive put the Panthers ahead 17-14 with 12:54 left in the half.

ULM's offense responded again, answering with Johnson's 10-yard touchdown run to conclude a nine-play, 75-yard movement. Evans scrambled for 7 yards on third-and-6 from the GSU 21 to keep the drive moving as ULM jumped ahead 21-17 with 9:28 to play.

The scoring frenzy continued as Georgia State reclaimed the lead on Barnett's 1-yard touchdown run. The Panthers led 24-21 after their 12-play, 75-yard drive.

ULM tied the game at 24-24 right before the half. Jared Porter's 31-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining came at the end of an 11-play, 61-yard march.

Georgia State's dynamic quarterback Ellington went down with a leg injury with 32 seconds left in the half and needed assistance to leave the field.

In the first half, ULM rang up 332 yards total offense, with 170 passing and 162 rushing. Johnson posted 93 yards rushing while Evans ran for 64 and threw for 170.

With redshirt freshman Cornelious Brown into the game at quarterback for the second half, Georgia State still moved the ball but ULM's Larance Shaw blocked a field-goal attempt on the opening series.

After recovering at their 18, the Warhawks quickly flipped the field with a 46-yard pass from Evans to Zach Jackson. Jackson then raced 30 yards for his second touchdown to give ULM the 31-24 advantage.

Barnett's 7-yard touchdown run tied the game at 31-31 with 8:24 remaining in the third. The Panthers ran on all eight plays of a 75-yard drive, including a 41-yard jaunt by Coates.

After the McCray touchdown, the defense delivered a takeaway when Chase Day forced a Barnett fumble recovered by Traveion Webster at the ULM 36. Although, the offense went three and out and couldn't make it count, it was one of the key plays for a defense that did its part late in the game.

McCray's second touchdown catch of the game came with 2:46 remaining and sealed ULM's win. The senior used his speed to reach the end zone on a 14-yard reception from Evans.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
No. 16/16 Coastal Carolina 59, ULM 6 (Oct. 2, 2021 in Conway, South Carolina): ULM turned in its worst performance of the season against one of the best teams in the Sun Belt Conference.

It wasn't a winning combination as the Warhawks were overwhelmed in a 59-6 loss to No. 16 Coastal Carolina Saturday afternoon at Brooks Stadium.

The Chanticleers (5-0, 1-0 in the Sun Belt) rolled up 557 yards of total offense against ULM (2-2, 1-1) while holding the Warhawks to 203 yards. Coastal topped 50 points for the third time this season and the sixth time since 2019.

Making his first ULM start, quarterback Chandler Rogers was unable get the offense moving on the bright teal "Surf Turf." Rogers completed 9-of-17 attempts for 100 yards, was sacked twice and threw an interception, ULM's second turnover of the year.

ULM punted six times while falling behind 38-3 by halftime. The Chanticleers outgained ULM, 351-99, and scored on five of six first-half drives while collecting 16 first downs.

The Chanticleers, who beat ULM for the first time in four games, flexed their muscles from the beginning.

Coastal led 7-0 after scoring on its opening drive. A 25-yard punt return set up a six-play, 55-yard drive as quarterback Grayson McCall found tight end Isaiah Likely for a 5-yard touchdown.

Braydon Bennett's 10-yard touchdown run with 4:46 left in the first quarter extended the home team's lead to 14-0. The Chants covered 63 yards in six plays on their second series.

The opportunistic ULM defense recovered a Coastal fumble at the Chants' 22 with 2:07 to go in the first quarter. McCall fumbled the exchange to his running back and Quae Drake pounced on the loose ball for the recovery.

Four plays later, Calum Sutherland's 40-yard field goal narrowed the gap to 14-3 with 55 seconds remaining in the opening period.

Likely snagged his second touchdown pass from McCall, this one from 30-yards out with 12:50 left in the second quarter. The Chanticleers covered 81 yards in seven plays to go ahead 21-3.

A blocked punt by CJ Beasley led to an easy touchdown for the home team as Aaron Bedgood scooped and scored from 9 yards out to give Coastal a 28-3 lead with 11:19 left in the first half.

Coastal's first-half dominance continued with Bennett's 29-yard touchdown run with 3:32 remaining before the break. His score concluded a seven play, 86-yard drive and widened the margin to 35-3.

Coastal went to the locker room up 38-3 as Liam Gray tacked on a 45-yard field goal as time expired.

Rogers started the second half and orchestrated ULM's only sustained scoring drive as Sutherland kicked a 30-yard field goal. The Warhawks needed 12 plays to cover 59 yards and cut the score to 38-6.

After going scoreless in the third quarter, Coastal Carolina extended the lead to 45-6 on Beasley's 15-yard touchdown run. With back-up quarterback Bryce Carpenter at the helm, the Chanticleers mounted a 75-yard, 15-play drive.

Rogers' interception with 13:35 to go in the game led to another Coastal score. Two plays after the turnover, third-team quarterback Jarrett Guest tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chris Rhone for a 52-6 lead. The scores were career firsts for both Guest and Rhone.

Coastal capped its advantage at 59-6 after a nine-play, 75-yard drive ended with Zachary Stevens' 5-yard touchdown pass to Jared Brown.

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 four games, including a sack for a safety on Sept. 25 vs. Troy. His five sacks rank second in the Sun Belt Conference and third in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 1.25 sacks per game, trailing only Nevada's Tristan Nichols (2.0 sacks per game) and Troy's Javon Solomon (1.3). He has 16 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Shelby also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and 14th in FBS at 1.5 tackles for loss per game.

Shelby recorded five tackles, including half a tackle for loss at No. 16 Coastal Carolina.

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 23 of 48 career games and his career totals include 124 total tackles, with 22.5 resulting in losses (95 yards) including 11.5 sacks (63 yards).

SUTHERLAND LEADS NATION IN FIELD GOALS PER GAME –
Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 2.25 field goals made per game. Through four games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 31 points, connecting on 9-of-11 field-goal attempts and 4-of-4 extra-point tries.

A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland picked up all six of ULM's points at No. 16 Coastal Carolina Saturday, 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.

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 28 tackles (17 solo, 11 assists) while adding two pass break-ups, a quarterback hurry, fumble recovery and forced fumble. He had five tackles and a pass break-up at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Saturday. He amassed a season-high 10 tackles (four solo, six assists) against Troy on Sept. 25.

Jared has 11 catches for 104 yards. He had three catches for 17 yards at CCU. 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.

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. 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 is 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.

Williams added three tackles on Saturday at Coastal Carolina. He has 214 tackles in his career, ranking him 60th among active players.

HENRY BREAKS 100-YARD MARK –
ULM freshman running back Andrew 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. He leads ULM with 184 yards rushing on 42 carries, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average, which ranks eighth in the Sun Belt Conference.

BOOGIE ON THE BAYOU –
Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 12th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 4.0 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (16) and receiving yards (184). Nine of his 16 catches have resulted in a first down (56 percent). He also has six receptions of 15 or more yards.

After getting targeted just once against Troy, Knight made an immediate impact at No. 16 Coastal Carolina 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, 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 1,303 career yards. He also has accounted for 2,265 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. He did not play due to injury at No. 16 Coastal Carolina.

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 205 total tackles (117 solos, 88 assists), ranking No. 72 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 41.6 yards per punt over the first four contests of the 2021 season. He has placed six punts inside the 20-yard line, including one at No. 16 Coastal Carolina. He has five punts of 50 yards or longer.

At CCU, 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, 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, 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 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 Saturday.

Webster was second on the team with nine tackles while adding a half sack in the 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.

Webster is second on the team with 27 tackles while adding a 1.5 tackles 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.

ULM/GEORGIA STATE COACHING CONNECTION –
Georgia State offensive line coach Eman Naghavi spent four seasons on Matt Viator's ULM coaching staff. After joining the staff in 2017, he spent three seasons as the offensive line coach before adding offensive coordinator duties in 2020.

While at ULM, Naghavi helped the Warhawks rank in the top four in the Sun Belt in total offense and passing offense while the offensive line was third in the league in fewest sacks allowed from 2017-19. His 2017 unit was second in the conference and among the Top 25 in FBS in scoring, passing and total offense, including a school-record four 50-point games, all against Sun Belt foes.

TWENTY WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2021 –
ULM's starting lineup through four 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 the one of the least-penalized teams in the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the nation at 31.3 penalty yards per game and leads the SBC and is sixth in FBS at 4.0 penalties per game. The Warhawks were penalized just three times for 25 yards at No. 16 Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

QUICK HITTERS –
• ULM is one of two NCAA FBS teams (Texas A&M) 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).
• ULM super senior cornerback Mark Williams ranks ninth among active NCAA FBS leaders with 32 career passes defended (8 interceptions, 24 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.

TAG ROME NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN –
Tag Rome, a former walk-on receiver who became a two-time first-team All-Southland Conference and two-time first-team All-Louisiana selection, has been selected as honorary captain for Saturday's game against Georgia State.

As a true freshman in 1980, Rome led the team in receiving with 41 receptions for 562 yards (13.7 avg.) and one score. As a junior in 1982, he caught an NLU single-season record 46 passes for 604 yards (13.1 avg.) and four touchdowns. A four-year letterman from 1980-83, Rome closed out his career as NLU's all-time leader in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,763) and TD receptions (10).

His career totals still rank among ULM's all-time Top 20 in receptions (tied for 15th), receiving yards (17th) and yards per catch (20th with a 15.1 avg.).

The Jonesboro, Louisiana, native played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, playing for the Edmonton Eskimos (1984) and Calgary Stampeders (1985-86). Rome finished his CFL career with 48 catches for 776 yards (16.2 avg.). He spent the 1987 season with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers.

Rome returned to NLU as an assistant coach for five seasons under Dave Roberts, from 1989-93. During that five-year stretch, the Indians produced a combined record of 38-19-2 (.661), including two Southland Conference Championships and three trips to the NCAA I-AA playoffs.

Rome, who was inducted into the ULM Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, is in his 17th season as the sideline analyst on ULM's radio broadcasts.

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 (14th at 1.5 tackles for loss per game)
Sacks: Ty Shelby (3rd at 1.25 sacks per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Aries Davis (28th at 1 fumble recovery); Quae Drake (28th at 1 fumble recovery); Austin Hawley (28th at 1 fumble recovery); Ty Shelby (28th at 1 fumble recovery); Adam Sparks (28th at 1 fumble recovery); Mark Williams (28th at 1 fumble recovery)
Field Goal Percentage: Calum Sutherland (44th, .818, 9-of-11 field goal attempts)
Field Goals Per Game: Calum Sutherland (1st at 2.25 field goals per game)

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under first-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021: 4 games):

Games played in Malone Stadium: 2-0
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: 0-1
Games played in November: 0-0
Games played in December: 0-0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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