ULM Closes Out 2021 Football Season at No. 23 Ragin’ Cajuns

Football Nov 24

Game 12: ULM (4-7, 2-5 SBC) at No. 23/23 Ragin' Cajuns (10-1, 7-0 SBC)
Saturday, Nov. 27 | 3:05 p.m. CT
Cajun Field (41,426) | Lafayette, La.
ESPNU | KLIP 105.3 FM

2021 ULM Football Notes: Game 12 vs. Ragin' Cajuns

Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference

FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks conclude the 2021 season at 3:05 p.m. Saturday with a visit to Cajun Field in Lafayette to take on the No. 23/23 Ragin' Cajuns. ULM is 4-7 overall after last Saturday's 27-14 loss at LSU. The Warhawks are 2-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Ragin' Cajuns won their 10th straight game last Saturday, 42-14 at Liberty, to improve to 10-1 on the season and sit at 7-0 inside the SBC.

• Saturday's game marks the 57th meeting between ULM and UL Lafayette with the Ragin' Cajuns leading the series, 30-25. The Ragin' Cajuns vacated a victory in 2011 due to the use of ineligible players. The Cajuns won last year's meeting, 70-20, in Monroe. ULM last defeated the Cajuns, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette.

• ULM's 2021 roster features 34 players from the state of Louisiana, including four of the Warhawks' 11 possible starters on defense against the Ragin' Cajuns: defensive end Myles Cole (Shreveport/Evangel Christian Academy), safety Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita Parish), cornerback Josh Newton (Monroe/Ouachita Parish) and cornerback Lu Tillery (New Orleans/St. Augustine).

• ULM has held five of its opponents below 100 rushing yards in 2021: Jackson State (17 carries for 11 yards), Troy (23 for 67), South Alabama (32 for 89), Arkansas State (33 for 94) and LSU (38 for 92). The Warhawks are 3-2 in games when the opponent fails to reach 100 yards rushing (wins over Jackson State, Troy and South Alabama).

With five opponents held under 100 rushing yards, ULM ranks tied for 15th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. It also represents ULM's the third-highest single-season total since 2000, as the Warhawks limited six opponents each in 2009 and 2011 below the century mark.

• Linebackers Ja'Cquez Williams, Traveion Webster and Zack Woodard along with safety Austin Hawley all rank among the Top 90 players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in career tackles. Williams is ranked 73rd with 238 tackles (141 solos, 97 assists), Woodard is 76th at 237 (113 solos, 124 assists), Webster is 84th with 233 (106 solos, 127 assists) and Hawley is 90th with 231 (131 solos, 100 assists).

• ULM linebackers Zack Woodard and Traveion Webster, who rank 1-2 on the team in tackles, rank among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in tackles.

Woodard leads the Warhawks with 87 tackles (41 solos, 46 assists), which ranks fourth in the SBC at 7.9 tackles per game. He also leads the team in tackles for loss (8.5 for 27 yards). He is second on the team in sacks (3.5 for 18 yards). He has tallied an interception, three pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries.

Webster is second on the team at 83 tackles (34 solos, 49 assists), which is sixth in the SBC at 7.5 tackles per game. He has 3.5 tackles for loss (18 yards), including 1.5 sacks (14 yards), two pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries.

The duo has combined for 170 total tackles, with 12 for losses (45 yards) including five sacks (32 yards).

• Sophomore Malik Jackson continues to be a big-play threat in the ULM backfield. He led the Warhawks with 21 carries for 78 yards in last Saturday's 27-14 loss at LSU. He had 15 more carries than the next closest Warhawk (Chandler Rogers, six).

In his first collegiate start, Jackson set career highs with 22 carries for 166 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 2021 home finale against Arkansas State. Jackson, who entered the game with 15 career rushing attempts for 100 yards, was inserted into the starting lineup with Andrew Henry and Isaiah Phillips sidelined with injuries. He began making the transition from slot receiver to running back four weeks ago.

• Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 10th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 3.9 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (43), receiving yards (541) and yards after the catch (208). Twenty-five of his 43 catches have resulted in a first down (58 percent). He also has 16 receptions of 15 or more yards.

• Through the first 12 weeks of the 2021 season, ULM has faced the nation's 18th-most difficult schedule, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' 12 regular-season opponents have a combined record of 72-49 (.595).

• 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 least-penalized team in the Sun Belt Conference and one of the least-penalized teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the SBC and ranks second in FBS at 3.73 penalties per game. The Warhawks also lead the SBC and are fourth in FBS at 34.0 penalty yards per game. ULM was penalized four times for 30 yards last Saturday at LSU.

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen
ULM Defense: 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores
Ragin' Cajuns Offense: 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
Ragin' Cajuns Defense: 3 seniors, 6 juniors, 2 sophomores

STAT LEADERS –
ULM (after 10 games):
Rushing – Andrew Henry (122 carries for 476 yards, 3.9 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – Chandler Rogers (103 of 164, 62.8%, for 1,259 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Boogie Knight (38 catches for 484 yards, 12.7 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Zack Woodard (76 tackles, 33 solos, 43 assists, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 2 quarterback hurries)

Ragin' Cajuns (after 11 games):
Rushing – Chris Smith (134 carries for 803 yards, 6.0 avg., 8 TDs)
Passing – Levi Lewis (189 of 308, 61.4%, for 2,274 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving – Michael Jefferson (13 catches for 332 yards, 25.5 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Lorenzo McCaskill (67 tackles, 31 solos, 36 assists, 2 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 2 QBH, 1 FR)

ULM/RAGIN' CAJUNS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 57th meeting between ULM and the Ragin' Cajuns with the Cajuns leading the series, 30-25. The Ragin' Cajuns vacated a victory in 2011 due to the use of ineligible players. The Cajuns won last year's meeting, 70-20, in Monroe. ULM last defeated the Cajuns, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette.

THE LAST MEETING –
Ragin' Cajuns 70, ULM 20 (Nov. 28, 2020 in Monroe, Louisiana): Close calls became the norm in recent meetings between ULM and Louisiana Lafayette, but a rough 2020 season bucked that trend.

Quarterback Levi Lewis had a hand in five touchdowns and ULL rolled up 511 yards in a 70-20 romp over ULM at Malone Stadium on Nov. 28, 2020. The 50-point margin of victory is the largest in the history of the series.

In this rivalry series, 10 of the last 13 games were determined by nine points or less. However on this cool and overcast day, the Cajuns (8-1, 6-1 Sun Belt) scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter and led 49-14 by halftime.

Playing for the first time in 21 days, the Warhawks fell to 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. ULM hadn't played a game since Nov. 7 due to COVID-19 issues.

Jeremy Hunt completed 14-of-32 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in his debut as ULM's starting quarterback. Hunt, who was intercepted once, added a rushing touchdown and had his team within one score at 21-14 after one quarter before the floodgates opened.

The Cajuns ran for 237 yards and four scores in the first half alone. Lewis threw three touchdown passes and completed 18-of-23 attempts for 147 yards in two-plus quarters before taking a seat with a big lead. Lewis rushed for two scores and 55 yards on five carries.

In abbreviated outings, Trey Ragas rushed for 95 yards and a score on 11 carries and Elijah Mitchell added 93 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts. The Cajuns gained 344 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns.

ULL went ahead 7-0 on an 11-yard touchdown by Ragas, capping a three-play 38-yard drive with 11:26 to go in the first. Dontae Fleming's 33-yard punt return set up the short march.

Hunt lost a fumble on ULM's second series and ULL recovered at the Warhawks' 33. The Cajuns capitalized on their favorable field position again as Lewis scrambled 11 yards seven plays later to put ULL up 14-0 with 6:36 showing in the first.

The Warhawks caught a huge break on a punt that hit ULL's Chris Smith and was recovered by a hustling Traveion Webster at the 1. Two plays later, Hunt tossed a 1-yard touchdown to tight end Cameron Darling, the first score of his ULM career. Zach Elder's PAT made it a 14-7 game.

Mitchell broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run as ULL extended its lead to 21-7 with 1:53 left in the opening quarter.

The Warhawks mounted their first successful offensive charge with a four-play, 78-yard drive to pull within 21-14 with seven seconds left in the first. Hunt tossed a 43-yard pass to Jonathan Hodoh before taking a designed scamper for 7 yards and a touchdown.

ULL kept coming in the second quarter as the Cajuns covered 73 yards in seven plays to lead 28-14. Lewis flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Neal Johnson at the 11:50 mark.

Lewis scored on a 7-yard run and ULL led 35-14 with 7:11 to go before the half. The Cajuns moved 60 yards in nine plays.

The Cajuns came up with a pick-six off Hunt as Bralen Trahan raced 53 yards for a 42-14 edge at the 5:02 mark.

ULL wasn't done with its first-half onslaught, scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Kyren Lacy 17 seconds before halftime. The Cajuns scored the final 28 points of the half to lead 49-14 through two quarters.

Lewis flipped his third touchdown pass on ULL's opening drive of the second half, finding Johnny Lumpkin from 1 yard out. With the Cajuns leading 56-14, Lewis' day was done.

Tight end Zach Rasmussen recovered Hunt's fumble in the end zone as ULM finally scored again with 14:54 left in the game. The Warhawks trailed 56-20 after Elder missed the PAT.

Reserve running back Michael Orphey ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as ULL's lead grew to 63-20.

After intercepting freshman quarterback Garrett Kahmann, ULL would score three plays later on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jaiave Magalei to Kaleb Carter for the final margin.

THE LAST MEETING AT CAJUN FIELD –
Ragin' Cajuns 31, ULM 30 (Nov. 30, 2019 in Lafayette, Louisiana): By the narrowest of margins and in familiar fashion, ULM's season ended at Cajun Field on Nov. 30, 2019, with a 31-30 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Warhawks (5-7, 4-4 Sun Belt) gave themselves a chance at the end, but placekicker Jared Porter pushed a 35-yard field goal wide left with two seconds remaining.

In 2018, Craig Ford missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired in a 31-28 loss to ULL in Monroe.

ULM drove 57 yards in 10 plays in just 1:19 after ULL took its lead on Stevie Artigue's 27-yard field goal with 1:21 left in the game.

Playing in his final game, ULM quarterback Caleb Evans passed for 330 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 77 yards and a score. Josh Johnson added 109 yards rushing as the Warhawks outgained ULL with 570 total yards to 522.

ULM led in the fourth quarter but woes in the kicking game came back to haunt the Warhawks in the end.

Starting a drive at its own 1 with 11:17 to go, ULM dug out of the hole with a 53-yard run by Johnson to the ULL 34. Austin Vaughn's 11-yard touchdown run with 7:56 remaining capped an eight-play, 99-yard drive. Porter missed the PAT, but ULM led 30-28.

ULL's go-ahead drive took 16 plays as the Cajuns moved 62 yards to kick the game-winning field goal.

ULM missed out on its chance to attain bowl eligibility with a sixth win.

Levi Lewis tossed three touchdown passes and passed for 270 yards to lead ULL (10-2, 7-1). Raymond Calais rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown and Elijah Mitchell gained 102 yards on the ground.

The game featured momentum swings throughout as the Warhawks took their shots.

ULM's opening drive ended with a turnover after entering Cajuns territory. Facing fourth-and-8 from the 24, Bralen Trahan intercepted Evans and returned it 54 yards to the ULM 40.

ULL fared better on fourth-and-6 with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Levi Lewis to Jamal Bell. The Cajuns led 7-0 with 10:02 remaining in the first quarter.

The Warhawks tied the score at 7-7 with 3:03 left in the first quarter when Evans finished off a 62-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown run.

Following a 72-yard punt by Jared Porter, ULL drove 99 yards in seven plays and scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Ja'Marcus Bradley. The Cajuns led 14-7 with 10:41 left in the second quarter.

On third-and-1, Evans found Josh Pederson wide open down the middle of the field for a 47-yard touchdown that tied the game at 14-14 with 2:24 in the second quarter. ULM moved 80 yards in four plays.

One play after a ULM punt, Raymond Calais stunned the Warhawks with an 83-yard touchdown run that gave the Cajuns a 21-14 lead with 28 seconds remaining.

ULM's defense forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter, and Perry Carter returned the ensuing punt 22 yards to the ULL 29. It turned into another missed opportunity though as Johnson gained 1 yard on fourth-and-2 at the ULL 21 for a turnover on downs.

The defense rose to the challenge again by stopping ULL on fourth down. Trey Ragas gained 2 yards on fourth-and-3 from the Warhawks 46.

This time the ULM offense did something with their chance as Evans went over the top to hit Jonathan Hodoh for a 40-yard touchdown. The Warhawks needed five plays to go 54 yards and tie the game at 21-21 with 8:17 left in the third.

Lewis linked up with Bradley again one play after the touchdown for 74 yards down to the ULM 1. The defense stiffened, but Lewis found Peter LeBlanc on fourth-and-goal from the 2 for a score and ULL was back on top 28-21 with 5:34 showing.

A 66-yard pass from Evans to Perry Carter flipped the field and set ULM up at the ULL 4. Porter's 23-yard field goal completed the 12-play, 80-yard drive to cut the lead to 28-24 with five seconds left in the third quarter.

ULM/ULL COACHING CONNECTIONS –
ULM special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach Ron West spent seven years as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Lafayette (1986-92), including serving as the assistant head coach in 1992.

Two members of the Ragin' Cajun football staff – special assistant (to head coach Billy Napier) Matt Viator and wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Tim Leger – previously spent time coaching at ULM .

Viator compiled a 19-39 record (.328) in five seasons as ULM's head coach from 2016-20. In 2019, he became the first ULM coach to post a .500 record in league games in three-straight seasons since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2001. Viator led the Warhawks to a 6-6 record in 2018 as ULM became bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.

Leger, who spent nine years as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Viator at McNeese State from 2007-15, served as ULM's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons (2016-17).

THE LAST TIME OUT –
LSU 27, ULM 14 (Nov. 20, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana): A play here, a play there and ULM might have been in position to shock LSU on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

Two fruitless ULM drives ended on downs a yard or two short of the end zone. Offensively, the Warhawks struggled on third downs, converting just 3-of-14. The defense gave up touchdown passes of 67 and 42 yards.

Against a heavily favored opponent, it was too much to overcome as LSU escaped with a 27-14 win over ULM.

The Warhawks (4-7) left the field feeling like they'd missed out on a golden opportunity. Hardly overpowered, ULM remained in the hunt for much of the game and cut the LSU lead to 10 with 3:20 remaining in the contest on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Chandler Rogers to tight end Zach Rasmussen.

ULM finished with 311 total yards, with 193 passing and 118 rushing. Rhett Rodriguez completed 12-of-22 attempts for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Malik Jackson carried 21 times for 78 yards. ULM recorded three sacks while surrendering just one.

The Tigers finished with 411 yards as quarterback Max Johnson completed 22-of-33 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns. Malik Nabers caught four balls for 143 yards and one score.

In game that kicked off at 8 p.m. and was televised nationally on ESPN2, LSU (5-6) flexed on ULM early but failed to keep its foot on the gas and the Warhawks hung around.

Johnson completed two passes for 55 yards and scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown as LSU scored on its opening drive. The Tigers gained 64 yards in six plays to go up 7-0 with 11:49 to go in the first period.

ULM responded with an impressive drive after allowing the touchdown, moving 74 yards in 13 plays. But the Warhawks came up short on fourth-and-goal from the 2 and turned the ball over on downs.

Cade York hit the left upright on a 44-yard field-goal attempt with 51 seconds left in the first quarter as LSU came up empty too after their own 12-play, 73-yard drive .

After ending the first quarter down just 7-0, ULM got off to a rocky start with a turnover to begin the second quarter.

Rodriguez's third-down pass intended for Jevin Frett was intercepted by LSU's Jay Ward and returned 7 yards to the ULM 33. The Warhawks held LSU out of the end zone, but the Tigers converted the takeaway into points nine plays later on a 27-yard field goal by York to go up 10-0 with 12:05 to go before halftime.

Rogers took his first turn at quarterback on the next series for ULM but the Warhawks went three-and-out and LSU had another opportunity to dial up its passing attack.

Nabers, who had a 48-yard catch on LSU's first drive, continued his monster night for LSU as he took a crossing route from Johnson and raced 67 yards for a touchdown with 9:19 showing to put the Tigers on top 17-0.

LSU tried to trick ULM on a fake punt, but Avery Atkins' pass was intercepted by Josh Newton at midfield and returned 22 yards to the Tigers' 28. Two plays later, Rodriguez found Boogie Knight for a 28-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 17-7 with 3:34 left in the half.

LSU's 16-play opening drive of the second half stalled out at the ULM 24 as the Warhawks forced a turnover on downs. On fourth-and-3, the Tigers lost 10 yards on a sack by Nick Roberts.

ULM picked up a first down after the stop but ultimately punted. LSU responded with an eight-play, 82-yard drive finished off by Johnson's 42-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. with 1:29 left in the third. The Tigers led 24-7 after three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter on fourth-and-11, Fred Lloyd pulled down a 33-yard catch at the LSU 10. But facing another fourth down from the 2, ULM's trick play came up empty as Jared Sparks took a pitch from Andrew Henry but misfired on his pass to a wide-open Rodriguez.

Rogers tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Rasmussen with 3:20 left in the game to cut the lead to 24-14 after a 10-play, 58-yard drive.

After the score, ULM tried an on-side kick but LSU recovered at the ULM 45. LSU picked up a first down on fourth-and-1 from the ULM 36 and York kicked a 50-yard field goal with 46 seconds to go.

BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS –
ULM's 2021 roster features 34 players from the state of Louisiana, including four of the Warhawks' 11 possible starters on defense against the Ragin' Cajuns: defensive end Myles Cole (Shreveport/Evangel Christian Academy), safety Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita Parish), cornerback Josh Newton (Monroe/Ouachita Parish) and cornerback Lu Tillery (New Orleans/St. Augustine).

ULM HAS FACED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOUGHEST SCHDULE THROUGH THE FIRST 10 WEEKS –
Through the first 12 weeks of the 2021 season, ULM has faced the nation's 18th-most difficult schedule, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' 12 regular-season opponents have a combined record of 72-49 (.595).

ROGERS TAKES CHARGE –
Chandler Rogers is one of 16 freshmen quarterbacks to start at least six games in the NCAA FBS in 2021. The 6-foot, 188-pound Rogers, who started six consecutive games (2-4 record) following a chest injury to junior Rhett Rodriguez in Game 3 against Troy, has completed 107-of-170 passes for 1,295 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ranks as the Warhawks' second-leading rusher with 134 carries for 351 yards and a score. Rogers leads the team in runs of 10 or more yards (17) and in runs that result in first downs (26).

He currently ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in completion percentage (fourth at .629) and passing efficiency rating (fifth at 140.9 rating). His .629 completion percentage (first) and passing efficiency rating of 140.9 (third) rank among the single-season totals in ULM history.

He has appeared in all 11 games in 2021, including seven starts overall after joining Rodriguez in the backfield for ULM's first play from scrimmage in the home finale against Arkansas State.

Rogers recorded his fourth 200-yard passing game of the season at Texas State, connecting on 28-of-43 throws for 262 yards at Texas State. He completed passes to nine different receivers, added 52 yards on 23 carries and scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 10-yard keeper to finish off a nine-play, 75-yard drive in the second quarter. Rogers accounted for 314 yards total offense against the Bobcats.

During ULM's three-game homestand in October, he completed 56-of-83 throws (.675) for 802 yards (267.3 ypg.), eight TDs and one interception. His passing efficiency rating during that stretch was an impressive 178.0.

Rogers, who completed 25-of-35 passes for 369 yards, four touchdowns and 409 yards of total offense to lead ULM to a 41-31 victory over South Alabama, was selected as one of the eight Manning Award "Stars of the Week" as well as Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week. In addition, Rogers was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week.

Rogers completed TD throws of 12 yards to Jared Sparks, 9 yards to Boogie Knight, 21 yards to Fred Lloyd Jr. and 81 yards to Will Derrick. His four TD passes match the highest single-game total by a ULM quarterback since 2017 (Caleb Evans vs. Arkansas State). His 81-yard strike to Derrick with 1:07 left in the third quarter matched the 10th-longest pass play in school history.

He completed passes to nine different receivers and led the Warhawks to scores on five of six possessions during one stretch (four TDs and one field goal). Rogers also picked up 40 yards rushing on 15 carries. The Warhawks scored 17 unanswered points to close out the game, turning a 31-24 deficit into a 10-point win.

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. 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 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.

WRIGHT GAINS VALUABLE PLAYING TIME AT APP STATE –
Sophomore quarterback Jiya Wright, who played nearly three full quarters at App State after starter Chandler Rogers was sidelined with a bruised biceps, set career highs across the board and directed all four of ULM's touchdown drives.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Wright hit 9-of-17 throws for 158 yards, including a 13-yard TD strike to Dariyan Wiley, and two interceptions. He completed passes to seven different receivers. Wright also led the Warhawks in rushing with 91 yards on 20 carries, including his first career rushing TD on a 3-yard run around right end late in the second quarter.

He led back-to-back 75-yard TD drives, covering 10 and 16 plays, in the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, Wright managed an 11-play, 60-yard drive that ended in a turnover near the App State goal line.

BEWARE THE BOOGIE KNIGHT –
Junior inside receiver Boogie Knight ranks 10th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 3.9 receptions per game. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Knight leads the Warhawks in receptions (43), receiving yards (541) and yards after the catch (208). Twenty-five of his 43 catches have resulted in a first down (58 percent). He also has 16 receptions of 15 or more yards.

Knight led the Warhawks with five receptions for 57 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rhett Rodriguez in the second quarter, last Saturday at LSU.

Knight had five receptions, including three that resulted in a first down and two for more than 15 yards, for 76 yards on Nov. 13 vs. Arkansas State. He had four receptions, including three that resulted in a first down, for 48 yards, including a long of 21 yards, on Nov. 6 at Texas State.

For the third time on the season, Knight matched his career high with six receptions on Oct. 23 against South Alabama. He accounted for 75 yards and his first career receiving touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Chandler Rogers in the second quarter.

Knight was limited to two catches for 24 yards against Liberty on Oct. 16, 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 Rodriguez on ULM's first scoring drive (12 plays for 43 yards).

Knight ranks No. 17 among active NCAA FBS leaders in combined kick (punts and kickoffs) returns with 1,453 career yards. He also has accounted for 2,772 career all-purpose yards, which ranks No. 88 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.

DERRICK EMERGES AS RECEIVING THREAT –
Through 11 games, junior Will Derrick ranks second on the team in receiving yards (341) and fourth in receptions (24). The 6-foot, 160-pound Derrick ranks second on the team in yards after the catch (146) and third in first-down receptions (14). He has five receptions of 15 or more yards, and his 14.2 yards per catch ranks 13th in the Sun Belt Conference. Derrick has caught at least one pass in eight consecutive games.

He caught a career-best six passes for 74 yards at Texas State, with four of those receptions resulting in first downs.

Derrick had five receptions for a career-high 135 yards against South Alabama and scored his first career touchdown on an 81-yard bomb from Chandler Rogers for the go-ahead score (38-31) with 1:07 to play in the third quarter. He picked 57 yards after the catch against the Jaguars, including 47 on the scoring play. His TD reception tied the 10th-longest pass play in ULM history and equaled the 23rdd-longest catch in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season.

Three of Derrick's five receptions against USA resulted in first downs.

JACKSON PROVIDES HOME-RUN THREAT IN ULM BACKFIELD –
Sophomore Malik Jackson continues to be a big-play threat in the ULM backfield. He led the Warhawks with 21 carries for 78 yards in last Saturday's 27-14 loss at LSU. He had 15 more carries than the next closest Warhawk (Chandler Rogers, six).

In his first collegiate start, Jackson set career highs with 22 carries for 166 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 2021 home finale against Arkansas State. Jackson, who entered the game with 15 career rushing attempts for 100 yards, was inserted into the starting lineup with Andrew Henry and Isaiah Phillips sidelined with injuries. He began making the transition from slot receiver to running back four weeks ago.

With ULM trailing A-State, 10-0, with 1:28 left in the second quarter, Jackson opened the drive with a 53-yard run up the middle to set up a first-and-goal at the Red Wolves' 10-yard line. Three plays later, he scored his first career rushing TD from 3 yards out as ULM cut its deficit to 10-7 with :33 left in the first half.

On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, the 5-foot-9, 178-pound Jackson raced 75 yards down the near sideline for another score as ULM took its first lead at 14-10 with 14:48 on the clock. He gained 93 yards on eight rushes in the third quarter alone.

HENRY MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN IN BACKFIELD –
ULM freshman running back Andrew Henry leads ULM in rushing (487 yards) and rushing touchdowns (4). In addition, the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Henry has gained an impressive 73 percent of his rushing yards (357 of 487) after contact. He ranks second on the team lead in runs of 10 or more yards (11) and in runs that result in first downs (20). Henry, who started seven of the first nine games at running back, sat out the home finale against Arkansas State with an injury.

Henry led ULM in rushing for the fifth time this season at Texas State, picking up 82 yards on a season-high 23 rushing attempts. He capped off a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter.

Henry paced the Warhawk ground game for the second consecutive week against South Alabama, gaining 88 yards on 18 carries. He closed the opening drive with a 20-yard TD run.

Henry led the team in rushing vs. Liberty on Oct. 16, gaining 80 yards on 15 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

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.

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 59-of-113 passes for 654 yards. He played in the first three games of the season before sustaining a chest injury. He missed six games before returning Nov. 13 vs. Arkansas State. He was 10-for-16 through the air for 131 yards and one touchdown against Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener on Sept. 25.

WARHAWK DEFENSE TOUGH AGAINST THE RUN –
ULM has held five of its opponents below 100 rushing yards in 2021: Jackson State (17 carries for 11 yards), Troy (23 for 67), South Alabama (32 for 89), Arkansas State (33 for 94) and LSU (38 for 92). The Warhawks are 3-2 in games when the opponent fails to reach 100 yards rushing (wins over Jackson State, Troy and South Alabama).

With five opponents held under 100 rushing yards, ULM ranks tied for 15th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. It also represents ULM's the third-highest single-season total since 2000, as the Warhawks limited six opponents each in 2009 and 2011 below the century mark.

WOODARD HELPS ANCHOR ULM'S DEFENSIVE UNIT –
Junior linebacker Zack Woodard, who leads the team in tackles (87: 41 solos, 46 assists) and tackles for loss (8.5 for 27 yards), is fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles, averaging 7.9 stops per game. He is one of four Warhawks (Ja'Cquez Williams, Austin Hawley and Traveion Webster) with over 200 career tackles. His 237 tackles rank 76th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players. He also has 3.5 sacks (18 yards), an interception, three pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Woodard posted his second consecutive double-figure tackle game last Saturday at LSU with 11 tackles (eight solos, three assists) and a tackle for loss for three yards. It was the fourth time this season and eighth time in his career to post double-figure tackles.

He set career highs in tackles (15: seven solos, eight assists) and tackles for loss (3.5, 6 yards), including a 2-yard sack, in last Saturday's 27-24 loss against Arkansas State. He was second on the team with seven tackles (three solos, four assists) and a quarterback hurry in last Saturday's 27-19 loss at Texas State.

Woodard recorded seven tackles, including a career-high two pass break-ups, in ULM's 59-28 loss at App State on Oct. 30. He collected 13 tackles, including a half tackle for loss, to help lead ULM to a 41-31 victory over South Alabama on Oct. 23. He posted double-figure tackles for the second-straight game (10 stops in a 31-28 win over Liberty on Oct. 16). The Warhawk defense held USA to three consecutive three-and-outs during a key stretch in the second half while the ULM offense put 10 points on the scoreboard, which proved to be the final margin in the game).

ULM limited the Jaguars to 89 yards rushing on 32 attempts (2.8 yards per carry). It marked the third time this season the Warhawks have held an opponent below 100 yards rushing.

Woodard also produced a career-best 1.5 sacks for 13 yards against Liberty. He was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against the Flames. He was credited with a quarterback hurry to go along with his 10 tackles.

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.

WEBSTER RETURNS AS HEART OF DEFENSE –
Fifth-year senior linebacker Traveion Webster is sixth in the Sun Belt Conference with 7.5 tackles per game. He is second on the team with 83 tackles (34 solos, 49 assists) while adding in 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries. He is the fourth active Warhawk with over 200 career tackles, with his 233 career tackles ranking 84th among active players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.

Webster was second on the team with eight tackles (five solos, three assists) while also registering a sack and tackle for loss for nine yards last Saturday at LSU. He had eight tackles (four solos, four assists) on Nov. 13 vs. Arkansas State. He led the Warhawks with eight tackles (three solos, five assists) and a pass break-up on Nov. 6 at Texas State.

Webster picked up six tackles (three solos, three assists), a tackle for loss and a career-best two QB hurries on Oct. 30 at App State. He tallied seven tackles (five solos, two assists) on Oct. 23 vs. South Alabama. He had eight tackles (two solos, six assists) with half a tackle for loss vs. Liberty on Oct. 16.

Webster 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.

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 5.5 sacks through 11 games, including a half sack on Oct. 23 vs. South Alabama. His 5.5 sacks rank ninth in the Sun Belt Conference. He has 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a pass break-up, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Shelby picked up three tackles (one solo, two assists) with a half sack and half tackle for loss on Oct. 23 against South Alabama. He recorded six tackles (three solos, three assists) with a half tackle for loss on Oct. 16 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 30 of 55 career games and his career totals include 148 total tackles, with 24 resulting in losses (102 yards) including 12 sacks (68 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 25th in the Sun Belt Conference with 5.2 tackles per game. He is fifth on the team with 47 tackles (28 solo, 19 assists) while adding three pass break-ups, a quarterback hurry, fumble recovery and forced fumble. He totaled five tackles (one solo, four assists) in his return to his hometown last Saturday against LSU. He had three solo tackles with a pass breakup on Oct. 30 at App State. He picked up four tackles (one solo, three assists) in the Oct. 16 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 ranks second on the team with 26 catches for 294 yards and a touchdown. He has caught at least one pass in all 10 games in which he has played. He collected two receptions for 42 yards, including a new season-long of 43 yards, on Nov. 6 at Texas State. He picked up two catches for 29 yards on Oct. 30 at App State. He had four receptions for 45 yards and his first career touchdown on Oct. 23 vs. South Alabama. He posted three catches for 29 yards 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.

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.

It marks the fifth-longest interception return in the NCAA FBS this season.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams was the second Warhawk to earn one of the conference's weekly awards. Placekicker Calum Sutherland has twice earned SBC Special Teams Player of the Week honors (Sept. 20 and Oct. 18) and quarterback Chandler Rogers was named SBC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 25.

Williams has 238 tackles in his career, ranking him 73rd among active NCAA FBS players.

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 231 total tackles (131 solos, 100 assists), ranking No. 90 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.

SUTHERLAND NEAR TOP OF SUN BELT IN FIELD GOALS PER GAME –
Fifth-year senior placekicker Calum Sutherland is third in the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 37th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 1.36 field goals made per game. Through 11 games, he leads the Warhawks in scoring with 71 points.

Sutherland's 15 field goals made are tied for the fourth-best single-season total in ULM history (Teddy Garcia: 15 made, 1986; Jessie Garcia: 15 made, 1983). He has made 8-of-12 field-goal attempts from 40 or more yards, including 2-of-4 from 50+.

Sutherland made both of his extra-point attempts at LSU last Saturday, improving to 26-of-27 on extra-point attempts this season.

Sutherland made a 32-yard field-goal attempt and all three of his extra-point attempts in the Nov. 13 27-24 loss to Arkansas State.

Sutherland made two of his three field-goal attempts, hitting from 45 and 52 yards while missing from 51, on Nov. 6 at Texas State.

Sutherland made all four of his extra-point attempts on Oct. 30 at App State. He did not attempt a field goal in the contest.

Sutherland made both of his field-goal attempts on Oct. 23 vs. South Alabama, hitting from 39 yards in the second quarter for the 17-10 lead and again from 40 yards with 6:28 to play in the fourth quarter to give ULM a 10-point lead at 41-31.

Sutherland was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season on Oct. 18, 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 on Oct. 16. 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 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.

TWENTY SIX WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2021 –
ULM's starting lineup through nine games of the 2021 season has featured 26 first-time starters for the Warhawks, including 16 on the offensive side of the football, eight on defense and two specialists.

ULM's starting lineup at LSU included wide receivers Coby Cavil (5-8, 152, RS-Fr.) and Will Derrick (6-0, 160, Jr.) making their first career starts.

The Warhawk starting lineup vs. Arkansas State included cornerback Jordyn Riley (5-10, 200, Jr.) making his first start at ULM and running back Malik Jackson (5-9, 178, So.) made his first-ever start.

ULM's starting lineup at Texas State included cornerback Lu Tillery (5-10, 158, Fr.) making his first career start.

The Warhawk starting lineup at App State included running back Charlie Norman (5-8, 202, Fr.) for his first career start.

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.

Eleven of those 26 starters came to ULM with previous starting experience at the NCAA Football Bowl or Championship Subdivisions. The 15 true first-time starters included Cavil, Derrick, Dunn, Lewis, Henry, Jackson, Ledet, Lloyd, McCormick, Norman, Roach, Rogers, Tillery, Tyler and Williams.

WARHAWKS LEAST PENALIZED TEAM IN SUN BELT –
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 least-penalized team in the Sun Belt Conference and one of the least-penalized teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. ULM leads the SBC and ranks second in FBS at 3.73 penalties per game. The Warhawks also lead the SBC and are fourth in FBS at 34.0 penalty yards per game. ULM was penalized four times for 30 yards last Saturday at LSU.

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 174 career victories.

BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (179) and Tommy (90), have combined for 646 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)
Fumbles Recovered: Mark Williams (18th at 2 fumble recoveries)
Field Goals Per Game: Calum Sutherland (37th at 1.36 field goals per game)

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under first-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021: 11 games):

Games played in Malone Stadium: 4-2
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-5

Games played in August: 0-0
Games played in September: 2-1
Games played in October: 2-3
Games played in November: 0-3
Games played in December: 0-0

When leading at halftime: 1-0
When trailing at halftime: 3-7
When tied at halftime: 0-0

When scoring first: 3-2
When opponent scores first: 1-5

When leading after first quarter: 2-0
When trailing after first quarter: 0-6
When tied after first quarter: 2-1

When leading after three quarters: 3-1
When trailing after three quarters: 1-6
When tied after three quarters: 0-0

Overtime games: 0-0

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 2-2
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 1-5
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 1-0

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 1-3

When outrushing opponent: 3-2
When being outrushed by opponent: 1-5

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 2-2
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 3-7

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 1-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 3-7

When leading in time of possession: 1-2
When trailing in time of possession: 3-5
When splitting in time of possession: 0-0

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