Game 12: Southern Miss (5-6, 3-4 Sun Belt) at ULM (4-7, 3-4 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 26 | 4:02 p.m. CT
Malone Stadium (30,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN+ | KLIP 105.3 FM
Faith & Family Day Ticket Promo
ULM Football invites you to attend Faith & Family Day, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 against Sun Belt Conference newcomer Southern Miss at 4 p.m. Purchase a general admission ticket for $10 (discounted from $15) by mentioning the promo code "FAITH" to the ULM Ticket Office sales representative.
Come to our home finale as we celebrate our senior class and watch the game with other church groups as we bring all denominations from the local community together at Malone Stadium.
2022 ULM Football Notes: Game 12 vs. Southern Miss
Coach Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 12 Preview vs. Southern Miss
FIRST-AND-10 –
• ULM closes out the 2022 season with a Senior Day match-up against Sun Belt Conference West Division newcomer Southern Miss on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Malone Stadium, with a 4 p.m. kickoff. The Warhawks are 2-1 in November following their 34-16 setback at Troy last Saturday. With a win over the Golden Eagles, ULM would finish 5-7 overall, 4-4 in the Sun Belt and 4-1 at home.
Southern Miss (5-6) needs a road win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019 and for the 22nd time in the last 27 years. The Golden Eagles have lost three-straight Sun Belt games and enter the regular-season finale in a three-way tie for third at 3-4 in the West Division standings with ULM and the Ragin' Cajuns. Southern Miss has lost three games by a combined total of 12 points. Overall, the Golden Eagles are 3-3 in games decided by seven points or less this season.
ULM and Southern Miss share seven common Sun Belt opponents, with each team posting a 3-4 record in those games. The Warhawks have produced wins over the Ragin' Cajuns, Texas State and Georgia State while losing to Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, South Alabama and Troy. The Golden Eagles own league victories over UL Lafayette, Arkansas State and Texas State with the losses coming against Coastal Carolina, South Alabama, Georgia State and Troy.
• Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between ULM and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series, 4-2, including a 1-0 record in Malone Stadium. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs as members of the Sun Belt Conference.
Saturday's game also marks the first meeting in the series since Sept. 8, 2018, when ULM escaped Hattiesburg with a 21-20 victory. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 throws for 195 yards, including a pair of touchdown strikes to Marcus Green (49 and 4 yards), in ULM's road win while linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. iced the game with an interception at the Warhawk 35-yard line in the waning seconds.
In its first-ever trip to Malone Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017, Southern Miss quarterback Kwadra Griggs threw for 250 yards and three scores and Ito Smith rushed for 219 yards, including a 27-yard TD run, in a 28-17 win over the Warhawks.
• Fourteen seniors will make their final appearance in Malone Stadium Saturday against Southern Miss. The Class of 2022 includes: tight end Abraham Alce (Immokalee, Fla.), wide receiver Will Derrick (Shreveport, La.), defensive tackle Sir'Darrius Ellis (Ouachita Parish), wide receiver Jevin Frett (Manchester, Conn.), wide receiver Boogie Knight (Jefferson, Ohio), wide receiver Fred Lloyd Jr. (Tifton, Ga.), punter Devyn McCormick (Port Charlotte, Fla.), defensive tackle Sam Plants (Springhill, La.), tight end Zach Rasmussen (Anna, Texas), defensive back Jordyn Riley (Citra, Fla.), placekicker Calum Sutherland (Keller, Texas), defensive tackle Caleb Thomas (Mansfield, Texas), linebacker Tralon Thomas (Ville Platte, La.) and linebacker Zack Woodard (Thomasville, Ala.).
• ULM sophomore quarterback Chandler Rogers has become one of the nation's best in completion percentage. Rogers ranks 14th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Sun Belt Conference with a .679 completion percentage. He also ranks inside the Top 50 in passing efficiency at 144.3 (41st FBS, fifth SBC) and yards per pass attempt at 7.78 (47th FBS, seventh SBC).
Rogers accounted for 189 yards total offense in ULM's 34-16 loss at Troy last Saturday. He connected on 17-of-28 passes for 145 yards and rushed 18 times for 44 yards and a career-best two rushing touchdowns (runs of 12 and 1 yards).
The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 15-of-29 passes for 225 yards at Georgia State as ULM snapped a 19-game road losing streak. It marked his ninth career 200-yard passing game and his fifth this season.
Through 11 games, Rogers has thrown for 2,281 yards on 199-of-293 passing (67.9%) with 14 TDs and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 305 yards and five TDs.
He has been at his best in crunch time. Rogers is completing 73.3 percent (44-of-60) of his throws in the fourth quarter for 561 yards, three TDs and one interception. His passing efficiency rating in the fourth quarter is 165.04.
Rogers is tied with six other players for fourth in FBS with four completions of 60 or more yards. Only TCU's Max Duggan (6), Middle Tennessee's Chase Cunningham (5) and Tennessee's Hendon Hooker (5) have more such completions.
• Through 11 games, ULM junior Tyrone Howell leads the team in receptions (46), receiving yards (809) and touchdown receptions (6). The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Howell has led the team in receptions in four of the last five games. He has three 100-yard receiving games this season and four in his career.
In Sun Belt Conference games, Howell leads the league in receiving yards per game (106.1), receiving yards (743) and TD catches (6) while ranking second in yards per catch (21.9). He is tied with TCU's Taye Barber for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead with three receptions of 70 or more yards, including an 89-yard reception against the Ragin' Cajuns and 75- and 83-yard TD receptions at South Alabama. He is 33rd in FBS and fifth in the SBC in yards per reception at 17.6.
He has 35 of his 46 receptions on the season over the last six games, going for 625 of his 809 yards and all six of his TDs. Howell also leads the team in first down receptions (31), explosive receptions (12, 20-plus yards) and yards after catch (445).
The Idabel, Oklahoma, native had a career-best 12 receptions for 176 yards and two scores (46 and 18 yards) in ULM's 31-30 victory over Texas State.
Howell set career highs for receiving yards (244) and TD receptions (3) on nine catches at South Alabama. His three TD catches (tied for third) and 244 receiving yards (fourth) rank among the top single-game totals posted in the NCAA FBS in 2022.
• ULM graduate linebacker Zack Woodard leads the Warhawks in tackles with 68 (42 solos, 26 assists). His 8.5 tackles for loss are tied with defensive tackle Caleb Thomas for second on the team, behind defensive end Kenard Snyder (9 for 19 yards). He has produced at least one tackle for loss in seven games.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Woodard reached the 300-career tackle milestone with his seventh and final stop in ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State. His 308 career tackles rank tied for 25th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players.
In Sun Belt games, Woodard ranks 10th in the league in tackles (55 total: 35 solos, 20 assists), averaging 7.9 per game. He has produced double-figure tackles twice in Sun Belt Conference play: 10 each against the Ragin' Cajuns and Texas State.
•Junior free safety Car'lin Vigers, who has started back-to-back road games at Georgia State and Troy, is averaging 8.5 tackles per game since joining the starting lineup. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound Vigers recorded double-figure tackles for the first time in his career at Troy, finishing with a team-best 12 stops (4 solos, 8 assists).
He contributed five tackles – all solos – in ULM's 31-28 victory at Georgia State. None of Vigers' tackles were bigger than when he dropped GSU's Jamari Thrash in the open field after a 12-yard reception at the ULM 37, 2 yards shy of the first-down marker on a fourth-and-14 play in the waning seconds.
•ULM sophomore cornerback Lu Tillery leads ULM in sacks with four for 34 yards. Three of those four sacks have come in the last two games, at Georgia State and Troy.
The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Tillery produced a career-high eight tackles (4 solos, 4 assists) at Troy, including a 12-yard sack. He recorded a career-best two sacks for 18 yards at Georgia State, with both coming on the Panthers' final possession in the fourth quarter.
A New Orleans native, Tillery has started 10 of 11 games this season and ranks fourth overall on the team in tackles with 43 (28 solos, 15 assists).
• Super senior kicker Calum Sutherland leads the Warhawks in scoring with 58 points while connecting on 9-of-10 field-goal attempts and all 31 extra-point tries. He has made eight consecutive field-goal attempts over the last five games. In addition, Sutherland has converted 38-straight extra-point attempts (missed his first PAT attempt at Texas State on Nov. 6, 2021). He is averaging 61.1 yards on 45 kickoffs this season, with 19 resulting in touchbacks (42%).
A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland accounted for a season-high 11 points in ULM's 31-28 victory at Georgia State to end a 19-game road losing streak. He was perfect on the afternoon, hitting all three field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries. Sutherland kicked field goals of 44 and 36 yards in the first half and his career-long 54-yarder early in the fourth quarter pulled the Warhawks within one score at 28-23. In addition, he averaged 64.1 yards on seven kickoffs, with four resulting in touchbacks. His four touchbacks matched his career high.
Sutherland ranks seventh in ULM history with 25 made field goals, and with 133 career points, he needs to score just three more points in move into the school's all-time Top 10 in kick scoring.
• Fifth-year senior Devyn McCormick ranks 27th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Sun Belt Conference in punting with his 43.8-yard average. McCormick has placed 15 of his 54 punts (28%) inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He ranks second in the Sun Belt with his 14 punts of 50-plus yards.
McCormick averaged 50.3 yards on three punts at Troy last Saturday, dropping one inside the Trojan 20.
He averaged 37.8 yards on five punts in ULM's 31-28 road win at Georgia State, placing three punts inside the 20-yard line. His three punts inside the 20 matched his career best.
McCormick was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 44.0 yards on five punts against Nicholls, including three kicks down inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
The Port Charlotte, Florida, native already ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in punting average (sixth at 41.6 avg.) and punting yards (10th at 5,079).
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 1 graduate, 2 seniors, 2 juniors, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
ULM Defense: 2 graduates, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores, 2 freshmen
USM Offense: 2 seniors, 6 juniors, 3 sophomores
USM Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
2022 STAT LEADERS –
ULM
Rushing – Malik Jackson (132 carries for 484 yards, 3.7 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing – Chandler Rogers (199 of 293, 67.9%, for 2,281 yards, 14 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving – Tyrone Howell (46 catches for 809 yards, 17.6 avg., 6 TDs)
Tackles – Zack Woodard (68 tackles, 42 solos, 26 assists, 8.5 TFLs, 2 SKs, 2 QBH, 1 FR)
USM
Rushing – Frank Gore (183 carries for 854 yards, 4.7 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing – Zach Wilcke (100 of 175, 57.1%, for 1,151 yards, 8 TDs, 9 INTs)
Receiving – Jason Brownlee (51 catches for 796 yards, 15.6 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles – Malik Shorts (86 tackles, 47 solos, 39 assists, 3 INTs, 2 PBU)
ULM/SOUTHERN MISS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between ULM and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series, 4-2, including a 1-0 record in Malone Stadium. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs as members of the Sun Belt Conference.
Saturday's game also marks the first meeting in the series since Sept. 8, 2018, when ULM escaped Hattiesburg with a 21-20 victory. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 throws for 195 yards, including a pair of touchdown strikes to Marcus Green (49 and 4 yards), in ULM's road win while linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. iced the game with an interception at the Warhawk 35-yard line in the waning seconds.
In its first-ever trip to Malone Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017, Southern Miss quarterback Kwadra Griggs threw for 250 yards and three scores and Ito Smith rushed for 219 yards, including a 27-yard TD run, in a 28-17 win over the Warhawks. Here's a look at the series history:
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 21, Southern Miss 20 (Sept. 8, 2018, in Hattiesburg, Miss.): ULM was clinging to a one-point lead Saturday night at "The Rock" and had a defense that had come through time and time again.
But the Warhawks needed one last stand to claim a win at Southern Miss.
Continuing a game-long trend of defensive playmaking, linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. made a leaping interception in the waning seconds and sealed a 21-20 victory for ULM at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
The Warhawks (2-0) registered five sacks and made four takeaways in one of their best defensive efforts in recent memory. Defensive end Donald Louis Jr. made six tackles, with three for losses including two sacks, and forced a fumble.
Southern Miss (1-1) had the ball second-and-8 at the ULM 45 before Sisco Jr. went high for his game-saving pick at the ULM 35, then raced 46 yards back to the USM 19 with seven seconds left. The Warhawks ran off the final seconds in the victory formation.
ULM's defense delivered on a night where the offense wasn't as effective as usual. Southern Miss ran 80 plays to the Warhawks' 58 and outgained ULM, 436-354.
Still, ULM did just enough as Mississippi native Marcus Green caught four passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and Austin "Bus" Vaughn gained 85 yards on nine attempts. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 attempts for 195 yards and two scores with one interception.
ULM's defense rebounded nicely from a jolting start.
Southern Miss scored on its first play as Jaylond Adams took a short pass from Jack Abraham and scampered 75 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 lead 13 seconds into the game.
ULM tied the score 7-7 with its first monster defensive play as Sam Miller recovered an Abraham fumble in the end zone. On the third-and-9 attempt, Louis sacked Abraham and knocked the ball loose with 12:05 left in the first quarter.
ULM parlayed another turnover into points later in the first quarter after Marcus Hubbard's interception. Immediately after the takeaway, Evans went over the top to Green for a 49-yard score to put ULM ahead 14-7 with 4:37 showing in the opening period.
Parker Shaunfield's 42-yard field goal with 2:01 to go in the first brought Southern Miss within 14-10.
The Golden Eagles regained their edge 17-14 with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Abraham to Quez Watkins to wrap a seven-play, 64-yard drive with 6:36 left in the half. Abraham completed 31-of-46 attempts for 378 yards and two scores despite the heavy pressure.
Louis registered his second sack for a 9-yard loss late in the second quarter to push Southern Miss back and Shaunfield missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt with 38 seconds remaining.
Vaughn provided a spark for ULM as he opened the second half with a 56-yard burst up the middle down to the Southern Miss 9-yard line. Two plays later, Evans hit Green for a 4-yard touchdown pass and ULM was up again 21-17.
Southern Miss went 45 yards in 14 plays but settled for another Shaunfield field goal from 47 yards out with 6:51 to go in the third. ULM's Marbles, who had three pass break-ups, busted up a pass at the goal line to help the Warhawks defend the red zone.
The defense provided another opportunity when Miller sacked Abraham and forced a fumble recovered by Mason Husmann. But two plays later, Evans was picked off on an underthrown ball at the USM 8.
Southern Miss started the fourth quarter with a fresh set of downs at the ULM 46, but the defense rallied again. Sisco stopped T-Rod Daniels on fourth-and-1 at the 39 for another pivotal play.
Vaughn rushed for 19 yards on three carries as the Warhawks moved to the USM 35 in nine plays, but Craig Ford's 42-yard field-goal try was wide left with 9:15 remaining.
The Golden Eagles took over and advanced to the ULM 34 but missed their chance to regain the edge when Shaunfield missed a 49-yard field with 5:42 left in the game.
THE LAST MEETING IN MALONE STADIUM –
Southern Miss 28, ULM 17 (Sept. 16, 2017, in Monroe, La.): Kwadra Griggs completed 17-of-32 passes for 250 yards and three scores while Ito Smith rushed for a career-best 219 yards and one touchdown to lead Southern Miss to a 28-17 road victory over ULM. It marked USM's first-ever trip to Malone Stadium.
Griggs finished off a nine-play, 68-yard drive with a 15-yard TD toss to Korey Robertson, as USM jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 10:38 left in the first quarter. Griggs accounted for 64 yards (32 rushing and 32 passing) on the Golden Eagles' first offensive series.
The ULM offense came to life late in the first quarter, as three-straight runs produced first downs (10-yard scramble by Caleb Evans followed by back-to-back gains of 12 and 26 yards by Derrick Gore). On third-and-1, Gore plowed forward for 3 yards to set up a first-and-goal as time expired in the first quarter. Two plays later, Evans capped off the 10-play, 76-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak as the Warhawks tied the score at 7-7 with 14:36 remaining in the second quarter.
USM responded with a six-play, 74-yard scoring drive. On a third-and-8 play, Griggs hooked up with Jaylond Adams for a 37-yard completion to the USM 35. Three plays later, Smith scored on a 27-yard TD run around left end as the Golden Eagles regained the lead at 14-7 to 12:05 left in the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Evans opened a series with a 29-yard completion to Josh Pederson and added a 15-yard penalty for a late hit to set up a first down at the USM 17-yard line. The nine-play, 59-yard drive resulted in a 19-yard field goal by Craig Ford as the Warhawks pulled to within 14-10 with 3:17 to play in the first half.
For the second time in the game, USM answered with a TD drive (78 yards in five plays). Griggs connected with Robertson for a 37-yard gain to the ULM 36. Four plays later, Robertson turned a screen pass from Griggs into a 20-yard scoring play as USM built a 21-10 lead with 1:51 left in the second quarter.
The Golden Eagles rolled up 319 total yards in the first half.
Evans opened ULM's second possession of the third quarter with a career-long 67-yard TD run to cut the Warhawk deficit to 21-17 with 8:55 on the clock.
Once again, USM had a quick response, with the TD drive covering 79 yards in nine plays. On a third-and-4 play, Griggs hit Allenzae Staggers for a 42-yard scoring play as USM took a 28-17 lead with 5:31 left in the third quarter.
The Golden Eagles displayed outstanding balance on offense, gaining 284 yards on the ground and 250 more yards in the passing game. USM outgained ULM in total yards, 534-330.
Evans, who earned his fifth career start at quarterback for ULM, accounted for 142 total yards and two rushing TDs. He carried 11 times for 90 yards.
Gore had an impressive home debut against Southern Miss, with 18 rushes for a team-best 96 yards.
ULM/SOUTHERN MISS CONNECTIONS –
• Southern Miss head coach Will Hall began attending the Florida State Quarterback Camp as a 12-year-old where Terry Bowden served as one of the coaches.
Following his graduation from North Alabama, Hall became an instructor at the quarterback camp.
Hall and Bowden met twice as head coaches during the 2011 season. Hall won during the regular-season match-up, leading West Alabama over North Alabama, 31-26, but dropped a 43-27 decision to Bowden's team in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
• Two current ULM assistant coaches previously worked at Southern Miss, including offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Kubik, who held the same post for Southern Miss in 2020, and wide receivers coach John Carr, who was the school's director of football operations from 2013-14. ULM's Director of Football Relations Pat McGee worked as a recruiting coordinator under former USM head coach Larry Fedora.
• ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers originally signed a National Letter of Intent with Southern Miss, coming out of Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas. Rogers, who redshirted his first year at Southern Miss, made two brief appearances as a true freshman for the Golden Eagles in 2019: at Troy and against UTEP. He left Southern Miss and enrolled at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, and started four games at quarterback during the second half of the 2021 spring schedule.
• Two active members of the 2022 ULM team, defensive back Jabari Johnson and snapper Trey Corley, participated in the last meeting between the Warhawks and Southern Miss in Week 2 of the 2018 season (Sept. 8 at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg).
WARHAWKS FROM THE MAGNOLIA STATE –
ULM's 2022 roster features four players from the state of Mississippi: sophomore offensive guard Peyton Dunn (Brandon/Jackson Prep), freshman wide receiver Max McGee (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian School), sophomore center Zarian McGill (Taylorsville/Jones College) and sophomore cornerback Marcus Rule Jr. (Tunica/Rosa Fort HS/Northeast Mississippi CC).
P-40 WARHAWK SERIES UNIFORM –
For the second time this season, ULM will don its complete P-40 series alternate uniform. The Curtiss P-40 Warhawks constituted the principal armament of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAFF) fighter squadrons in the early 1940s. In the summer of 1941, Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, who grew up in Louisiana, began recruiting and training pilots for the American Volunteer Group, who became known as the "Flying Tigers" in China during World War II. The P-40 Warhawk served as inspiration for ULM's new nickname/mascot, adopted in 2006.
The P-40 uniform series incorporates details of the fighter into its design. Saturday's home finale against Southern Miss marks the ninth time ULM has worn the P-40 series uniform (2015: vs. Nicholls State and Georgia Southern; 2017: vs. Southern Miss; 2018: vs. Georgia Southern; 2019: vs. Memphis; 2020 vs. App State; 2021 vs. Arkansas State; 2022 vs. Texas State). For the past two weeks, the Warhawks have worn the P-40 series alternate helmet with the road uniforms at Georgia State and Troy.
In the 2021 home finale against Arkansas State, ULM introduced the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk alternate helmet, a visual concept created by local marketing specialists Jonathan Perry and Michael Jordan (owner at Lore) that features the iconic shark grin, razor teeth and wagging tongue.
THE LAST TIME OUT –
Troy 34, ULM 16 (Nov. 19, 2022, in Troy, Ala.): Stingy as advertised, Troy's defense did a number on ULM Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Trojans (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt) held ULM (4-7, 3-4 Sun Belt) to 228 total yards, recorded five sacks and scored off a fumble return in a 34-16 win over the Warhawks.
Running back Kimani Vidal gored ULM for a career-high 242 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries to lead Troy's offense. The Trojans came in averaging 95.6 yards rushing as a team but tallied 264 against the Warhawks while winning their eighth-straight game.
Cornerback Car'lin Vigers led ULM with 12 tackles. The Warhawks limited Troy to 78 yards passing yards with one sack.
Quarterback Chandler Rogers rushed for 44 yards with two touchdowns while completing 17-of-28 passes for 145 yards. ULM managed just 83 rushing yards on 33 attempts for a 2.5 average per carry.
Troy led 3-0 after Brooks Buce kicked a 35-yard field goal with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The Trojans scored after a nine-play, 33-yard drive.
With 11:08 left before the half, Buce capped an 11-play, 58-yard drive with a 45-yard field goal to give Troy a 6-0 advantage.
ULM's first productive drive of the first half ended on fourth-and-5 at the Troy 37 as Rogers threw incomplete toward Tyrone Howell with 4:50 remaining in the second quarter.
After stopping the Warhawks, the Trojans ran five consecutive plays through Vidal for 62 yards. On the sixth play of the 63-yard drive, DK Billingsley scored on a 1-yard plunge and Troy moved ahead 13-0 with 2:04 showing in the half.
ULM's frustrating first half turned uglier with 1:51 to go when Rogers fumbled after a sack by Shakel Brown. Troy's Antonio Showers recovered and scored on a 13-yard return to give the Trojans a 20-0 lead.
The Warhawks finally broke through with a 27-yard field goal by Calum Sutherland as time expired at the break. ULM drove 65 yards in 11 plays over the final 1:51 to score its first points.
Trailing 20-3 at the half, the Warhawks were outgained, 179 yards to 89 (101 to 4 rushing), while Troy led in time of possession, 18:07 to 11:53. The turnover that turned into a Troy touchdown added salt to the wound.
After forcing a ULM three-and-out to start the third quarter, Troy needed just two plays to go 45 yards and score on a Vidal 5-yard touchdown run, extending its lead to 27-3.
Rogers scored on a 12-yard run up the middle to give the Warhawks their first touchdown with 7:25 left in the third quarter. ULM ran 11 plays for 82 yards to narrow the deficit to 27-10.
Down 17 heading into the fourth quarter, ULM saw the deficit swell to 34-10 with another Vidal touchdown. Vidal carried seven times for all 54 yards before his 7-yard score with 8:46 remaining in the game.
Rogers added his second touchdown on a 1-yard run with 3:14 showing on the clock for the final score. The Warhawks, who covered 75 yards in 14 plays, came up short on a pass attempt on a 2-point conversion.
ULM HAS FACED THE SUN BELT'S FOURTH-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN 2022 –
ULM has played the Sun Belt Conference's fourth-toughest and the nation's 67th most-difficult schedule in 2022, according to NCAA figures. The Warhawks' 12 opponents have a combined record of 64-55 (.538).
MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD –
ULM sophomore quarterback Chandler Rogers has become one of the nation's best in completion percentage. Rogers ranks 14th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Sun Belt Conference with a .679 completion percentage. He also ranks inside the Top 50 in passing efficiency at 144.3 (41st FBS, fifth SBC) and yards per pass attempt at 7.78 (47th FBS, seventh SBC).
Through 11 games, Rogers has thrown for 2,281 yards on 199-of-293 passing (67.9%) with 14 TDs and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 305 yards and five TDs.
He has been at his best in crunch time. Rogers is completing 73.3 percent (44-of-60) of his throws in the fourth quarter for 561 yards, three TDs and one interception. His passing efficiency rating in the fourth quarter is 165.04.
Rogers is tied with six other players for fourth in FBS with four completions of 60 or more yards. Only TCU's Max Duggan (6), Middle Tennessee's Chase Cunningham (5) and Tennessee's Hendon Hooker (5) have more such completions.
Rogers accounted for 189 yards total offense in ULM's 34-16 loss at Troy last Saturday. He connected on 17-of-28 passes for 145 yards and rushed 18 times for 44 yards and a career-best two rushing touchdowns (runs of 12 and 1 yards).
The Mansfield, Texas, native completed 15-of-29 passes for 225 yards at Georgia State as ULM snapped a 19-game road losing streak. It marked his ninth career 200-yard passing game and his fifth this season.
Rogers threw for 310 yards on 28-of-40 passing (70.0%) with two touchdowns and one interception in a 31-30 come-from-behind win over Texas State. He also scored ULM's first TD on a 3-yard pass from Will Derrick early in the second quarter against the Bobcats.
In four games in the month of October, Rogers was incredibly efficient, throwing for 952 yards on 80-of-105 passing (76.2%) with 10 TDs and two interceptions with a passing efficiency rating of 180.0. He also rushed for 134 yards and one TD in the month.
He completed 20-of-27 passes (74 percent) for a career high 371 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-34 loss at South Alabama. Rogers completed passes to eight different receivers, with Tyrone Howell (9 catches for 244 yards and 3 TDs), Frett (3 catches for 83 yards) and Bugs Mortimer (3 catches for 28 yards) picking up multiple receptions.
He connected on 27-of-30 throws (90 percent) for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-21 loss to previously unbeaten Coastal Carolina. Rogers completed passes to 10 different receivers, including TD strikes of 5 yards to and 42 yards to Howell. He opened the game with a school-record 19 consecutive completions, breaking the previous mark of 12 by Trey Revell against Texas Southern in 2009. Including the previous game at Arkansas State, Rogers completed 20-straight passes, erasing another school record previously held by Revell, who connected on 15 consecutive throws in back-to-game games against Texas and Texas Southern in 2009.
He accounted for 195 yards total offense and three scores at Arkansas State. Rogers went 12-of-20 passing for 138 yards and two TDs (58 yards to Alred Luke and 5 yards to Zach Rasmussen) and rushed 13 times for 57 yards, including a 22-yard TD run.
Rogers hit 14-of-26 passes for 192 yards and an interception while rushing for 36 yards and had a 5-yard TD run in the fourth quarter in the 21-17 win over the Ragin' Cajuns.
He accounted for 308 yards total offense and three TDs in leading ULM to a 35-7 win over Nicholls in the Warhawks' home opener. Rogers completed 20-of-25 throws for 253 yards and two scores. He completed passes to 10 different receivers, including TD tosses of 4 yards to Rasmussen and 18 yards to Jevin Frett. Rogers added 55 rushing yards on eight carries, including a 9-yard TD run around left end early in the fourth quarter.
HOWELL EMERGES AS RECEIVING THREAT –
Through 11 games, ULM junior Tyrone Howell leads the team in receptions (46), receiving yards (809) and touchdown receptions (6). The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Howell has led the team in receptions in four of the last five games. He has three 100-yard receiving games this season and four in his career.
In Sun Belt Conference games, Howell leads the league in receiving yards per game (106.1), receiving yards (743) and TD catches (6) while ranking second in yards per catch (21.9). He is tied with TCU's Taye Barber for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead with three receptions of 70 or more yards, including an 89-yard reception against the Ragin' Cajuns and 75- and 83-yard TD receptions at South Alabama. He is 33rd in FBS and fifth in the SBC in yards per reception at 17.6.
He has 35 of his 46 receptions on the season over the last six games, going for 625 of his 809 yards and all six of his TDs. Howell also leads the team in first down receptions (31), explosive receptions (12, 20-plus yards) and yards after catch (445).
The Idabel, Oklahoma, native had a career-best 12 receptions for 176 yards and two scores (46 and 18 yards) in ULM's 31-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas State. Howell broke four tackles en route to an end zone for a 46-yard scoring play from Chandler Rogers as the Warhawks, who trailed 21-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game pulled to within 24-17 at the intermission. He finished off a 13-play, 73-yard drive late in the third quarter by spinning out of an attempted tackle at the Texas State 2 to complete an 18-yard TD reception. It marked Howell's third 100-yard receiving game of the season and fourth of his career. He gained 72 of his 176 receiving yards after the catch.
Howell set career highs for receiving yards (244) and TD receptions (3) on nine catches at South Alabama. He scored on receptions of 75, 25 and 83 yards from Rogers. He picked up 151 of his 244 receiving yards after the catch. With ULM trailing 41-20, Howell caught three passes for 104 yards and one score in the fourth quarter alone. His three TD catches (tied for third) and 244 receiving yards (fourth) rank among the top single-game totals posted in the NCAA FBS in 2022. For his effort, he was named to the Pro Football Focus College National Offensive Team of the Week.
His 244 receiving yards marked the second-highest single-game total in ULM history, trailing only Stepfret Williams who caught 10 passes for 264 yards at Nevada in 1995. His three TD receptions tied the third-highest single-game total in school history – just one shy of the record shared by Brent Leonard (4 vs. South Alabama, 2012) and Williams (4 vs. Nevada, 1995).
Howell had four receptions for 77 yards and his first-career touchdown reception at the NCAA FBS level on a 42-yard strike from Rogers on the opening drive of the third quarter against Coastal Carolina. His catch received attention from ESPN, as he made the TD grab with his left hand while falling into the end zone, drawing a pass interference penalty, which was declined.
He posted his first 100-yard receiving game as a Warhawk against the Ragin' Cajuns. Howell caught three passes for 124 yards, including an 89-yard catch-and-run to set up Malik Jackson's go-ahead 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. His 89-yard reception ranks as the fourth-longest pass play in ULM history. It was his first 100-yard receiving game since his true freshman season at NCAA Division II Central Oklahoma in 2018, when he caught five passes for 152 yards and 2 TDs at Lindenwood.
TRIO PACES WARHAWK GROUND ATTACK –
ULM's trio of Malik Jackson, Chandler Rogers and Andrew Henry has combined to rush for 1,072 yards and 15 touchdowns. That trio has accounted for 80 percent of the team's rushing production in 2022.
The 5-foot-10 Jackson has set career highs for rushing attempts (132), rushing yards (484) and rushing TDs (6). He has led the Warhawks in rushing in seven of the 11 games. Jackson has produced 14 10-yard runs and 35 first-down runs while gaining 300 yards after contact. He also has 14 receptions for 55 yards.
Jackson ran 12 times for 47 yards and one score in ULM's 31-30 victory over Texas State. He finished off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run off right tackle as the Warhawks took their first lead of the game at 31-30 with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter.
A native of Opelika, Alabama, Jackson carried 12 times for 52 yards against Coastal Carolina, including a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter. It marked his fifth-consecutive game with a rushing TD. He added three receptions for 25 yards.
Jackson accounted for a season-high 107 all-purpose yards at Arkansas State. He also established season highs for rushing attempts (16) and rushing yards (89) against the Red Wolves, including a 1-yard TD plunge in the third quarter. Jackson had three catches for 9 yards and returned one kickoff for 9 more yards.
He gained 41 yards on 14 carries against the Ragin' Cajuns, and his 2-yard TD run with 6:51 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the game winner as ULM rallied from a 17-7 halftime deficit for a 21-17 win.
Jackson rushed 13 times for a team-high 36 yards against No. 2/1 Alabama, including 11-yard TD run early in the second quarter.
He carried 12 times for 55 yards in the home opener against Nicholls, including an 8-yard TD run late in the second quarter that gave ULM the lead for good at 14-7 en route to a 35-7 victory.
The 6-0, 194-pound Rogers ranks second on the team in rushing yards (305) and rushing TDs (5). He leads the Warhawks in 10-yard runs (17) and rushing yards after contact (356) while recording 29 first-down runs.
He has led the Warhawks in rushing twice in 2022, including a season-high 18 carries for 44 yards and a career-high two rushing TDs at Troy. Rogers capped off an 11-play, 82 yards drive with a 12-yard TD scramble up the middle midway through the third quarter and punctuated a 14-play, 75-yard fourth-quarter drive with a 1-yard TD run.
Rogers ran 12 times for 49 yards at Army and carried 13 times for 57 yards at Arkansas State, including a season-long 22-yard TD run around right end early in the fourth quarter.
He picked up 36 yards on 12 rushing attempts against the Ragin' Cajuns, including a 5-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
Rogers tied for the team lead with 55 yards on eight carries in the home opener against Nicholls, including a 9-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
The 5-10, 198-pound Henry ranks third on the team in rushing yards (283) and rushing TDs (4). He has produced four 10-yard runs and 15 first-down runs while picking up 150 rushing yards after contact. Henry also has 10 catches for 69 yards.
He contributed a 4-yard TD run in the second quarter at Georgia State, hauled in three passes for a career-best 37 yards against Texas State and scored on a 10-yard TD run at Army.
Henry added 41 yards on nine carries against Coastal Carolina.
He rushed 11 times for a career-high 123 yards and one touchdown in ULM's 21-17 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns as the Warhawks snapped a four-game losing streak against their rival. ULM also ended Louisiana Lafayette's 13-game winning streak in Sun Belt Conference play. Henry's career-long 75-yard TD run tied the score a 7-all in the first quarter. It marked his second career 100-yard rushing game.
Henry capped off a four-play, 74-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run early in the second quarter in the 2022 home opener against Nicholls.
DON'T FRET(T) –
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jevin Frett is second on the team in receptions (28) and receiving yards (377) in 2022. He has caught at least one pass in 10 of 11 games, including the last seven in a row.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Frett ranks second on the team in explosive receptions (5, 20-plus yards) and first-down catches (14). He has gained 125 receiving yards after contact.
Frett caught three passes for 45 yards at Army, including a 23-yard TD grab from Chandler Rogers in the fourth quarter.
He had three receptions for a career-high 83 yards at South Alabama and hauled in four passes for 45 yards against Coastal Carolina.
A native of Manchester, Connecticut, Frett led the team in catches in each of the first two games. He had a career-best six receptions for 71 yards in the home opener against Nicholls, including an 18-yard TD strike from Rogers in the third quarter.
Frett caught four passes for 61 yards in the 2022 season opener at Texas. His 46-yard reception from Garrett Hable on a third-and-5 play in the fourth quarter helped set up ULM's only touchdown.
In 31 career games, Frett has 57 receptions for 879 yards (15.4 avg.) and four TDs.
COOL HAND LUKE –
Red-shirt freshman Alred Luke leads the Warhawks in explosive plays (20+ yards) with 13 (4 receptions and 9 kickoff returns). The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Luke ranks second on the team in all-purpose yards (663).
He is third on the team in receptions with 23 for 293 yards (12.7 avg.) and one TD. His 202 receiving yards after the catch rank second on the team, behind Tyrone Howell (445). Luke has four explosive receptions (20-plus yards) and eight first-down catches. Luke has caught at least one pass in each of the last 10 games. In addition, he has added 24 yards on the ground on seven carries.
Luke caught two passes for 45 yards in ULM's 31-28 victory at Georgia State, including a 29-yard grab from Chandler Rogers to jump start a first-quarter scoring drive that resulted in a 44-yard field goal from Calum Sutherland.
He set career highs for kickoff returns (6), kickoff return yards (111) and all-purpose yards (135) in ULM's 31-30 win over Texas State.
Luke recorded his first career game with 100-plus all-purpose yards against Coastal Carolina. The New Orleans native caught a career-high six passes for 55 yards, added three carries for 26 yards and tacked on one kickoff return for 21 yards to total 102 all-purpose yards.
He had two catches for 66 yards at Arkansas State and scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 58-yard strike from Rogers on a post route in the first quarter.
Luke had three receptions for a career-best 72 yards in the home opener against Nicholls. His career-long 68-yard grab from Rogers set up ULM's game-tying TD in the second quarter.
BOOGIE ON THE BAYOU –
Graduate wide receiver Boogie Knight ranks fourth on the team with 17 receptions for 179 yards (10.5 avg.) and one score. The 5-foot-10, 190-yard Knight currently ranks 57th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players with 3,039 career all-purpose yards (Akron and ULM combined).
He eclipsed the 3,000-yard career milestone with a 37-yard reception from Chandler Rogers in the second quarter at Georgia State.
Knight recorded his first TD reception of the season at Army. After the Black Knights turned the ball over on downs at the ULM 12-yard line, Knight caught a screen pass from Rogers on the next play and scampered into the end zone to give the Warhawks a 10-7 the lead in the second quarter. He finished with three catches for 35 yards and the score.
ZACH RASMUSSEN: TOUCHDOWN MACHINE –
Fifth-year senior tight end Zach Rasmussen has set career highs for receptions (14), receiving yards (108) and touchdown receptions (4). His four TD catches are second most on the team, trailing only Tyrone Howell (6). The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Rasmussen has caught at least one pass in nine games this season, including each of the last seven games in a row. Eight of his 14 receptions have resulted in first downs.
He caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season with a 7-yard grab from Chandler Rogers on a fourth-and-1 play to bring ULM within a score late in the fourth quarter at South Alabama. It marked his third consecutive game with a TD reception.
Rasmussen started his three-game scoring streak with a 5-yard TD reception in the second quarter at Arkansas State, followed by another 5-yard TD grab in the second quarter against Coastal Carolina.
He posted career highs for receptions (4) and receiving yards (39) at No. 2/1 Alabama, with two of those catches producing first downs.
In 32 career games, Rasmussen has 21 catches for 212 yards (10.1 avg.) and seven TD receptions. More than one-third of his receptions have resulted in scores. He has scored eight total TDs (recovered a fumble in the end zone against the Ragin' Cajuns in the 2020 season finale).
At 28, Rasmussen is the oldest player on the ULM roster. He graduated from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas, in 2013. Following his high school graduation, he spent 18 months saving money for a two-year trip to Taiwan as an LDS missionary. He played the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Cisco (Texas) College prior to transferring to ULM for the 2020 season.
BRINGING THE WOODARD –
ULM graduate linebacker Zack Woodard leads the Warhawks in tackles with 68 (42 solos, 26 assists). His 8.5 tackles for loss are tied with defensive tackle Caleb Thomas for second on the team, behind defensive end Kenard Snyder (9 for 19 yards). Woodard has produced at least one tackle for loss in seven games. He is averaging 8.0 tackles over the last six games.
In Sun Belt Conference games, he ranks 10th in the league in tackles (55 total: 35 solos, 20 assists), averaging 7.9 per game. Woodard has produced double-figure tackles twice in Sun Belt play.
He tallied eight stops (2 solos, 6 assists) at Troy, including one for a 1-yard loss.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Woodard reached the 300-career tackle milestone with his seventh and final stop in ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State. His 308 career tackles rank tied for 25th among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players.
He shared ULM Defensive Player of the Week honors with Quincy Ledet Jr. after matching his season high with 10 tackles (7 solos, 3 assists) against Texas State, including one behind the line of scrimmage for a 4-yard loss. It marked his sixth double-figure tackles game in a Warhawk uniform and the 10th in his career.
Woodard posted eight stops (5 solos, 3 assists) at South Alabama.
The Thomasville, Alabama, native recorded a season-high 10 tackles (8 solos, 2 assists) in a 28-21 loss against then-unbeaten Coastal Carolina, with two resulting in losses (8 yards) including a 4-yard sack. The ULM defense pitched a shutout in the second half against CCU, forcing punts on all five possessions including three three-and-outs. The Warhawks limited the Chants to four first downs and 110 total yards over the final 30 minutes.
Woodard was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week after producing eight tackles (4 solos, 4 assists), including a 10-yard sack, and recovering a fumble in ULM's 21-17 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry.
THOMAS ANCHORS DEFENSIVE FRONT –
Graduate nose guard Caleb Thomas ranks second among ULM defensive linemen and ninth on the team overall in tackles with 32 (18 solos, 14 assists). His career-high 8.5 tackles for loss (25 yards) are tied for second on the Warhawks with linebacker Zack Woodard. He has delivered at least a half tackle for loss in five games.
The 6-foot-1, 299-pound Thomas recorded a career-high eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists) in ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State, with two tackles for loss (9 yards) including an 8-yard sack.
He made seven stops (5 solos, 2 assists) at Army, including three tackles behind the line of scrimmage (7 yards). His three tackles for loss matched his career best.
Thomas totaled three solo tackles at Arkansas State, with two resulting in losses (3 yards).
He registered four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists), with a tackle for loss (5 yards) and combined with Fitzroy Gardner for an 8-yard sack against Chandler Fields on the final play of the game to preserve ULM's 21-17 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns.
BIG PLAY DRAKE –
Junior linebacker Quae Drake ranks fourth on the team in tackles for loss (7 for 23 yards) and fifth overall in tackles with 42 (25 solos, 17 assists). He also has been credited with half a sack (7 yards), an interception, pass break-up and quarterback hurry.
The 6-foot-1, 237-pound Drake scored two touchdowns on returns and contributed four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) to help lead ULM to a 31-28 victory at Georgia State, snapping a 19-game road losing streak. Drake's 34-yard interception return for a score gave ULM its first lead of the game at 29-28 with 6:23 left in the fourth quarter. Early in the second quarter, he returned a punt, blocked by Nick Torres, 23 yards for a touchdown as the Warhawks pulled to within 14-10. Drake became the first ULM player to return a punt for a score since Marcus Green's 71-yard return at Ole Miss on Oct. 6, 2018.
He also became ULM's first non-offensive player to score multiple TDs in a game since Isaiah Newsome returned a pair of interceptions for scores (71 and 75 yards) at Texas State on Oct. 12, 2013.
Drake recorded a career-high nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists) at Army.
He made seven stops (6 solos, 1 assist) at Arkansas State, with a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss (13 yards) including a half sack for 7 yards.
DRIGGERS MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN –
Sophomore linebacker Tristan Driggers leads the Warhawks in interceptions (3 for 10 yards) and ranks second on the team in tackles with 63 (37 solos, 26 assists). His 4.5 tackles for loss (19 yards) rank fifth on the team. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound Driggers is listed among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in interceptions (tied for seventh) and tackles per game (24th at 6.3).
He assisted on seven stops at Troy, including a half tackle for loss of 1 yard, and was credited with one pass break-up.
Driggers produced nine tackles in ULM's 31-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas State, including eight solo hits with one resulting in a 2-yard loss.
He contributed eight stops each in back-to-back road games at South Alabama (5 solos, 3 assists) and Army (3 solos, 5 assists). He recorded a career-best two tackles for loss at USA, including his first career sack (7 yards).
The Hallsville, Texas, native made five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) and a pass break-up against Coastal Carolina.
Driggers reached double figures in tackles for the first time in a Warhawk uniform at Arkansas State, finishing with a team-leading 10 stops (8 solos, 2 assists).
He intercepted a pass for the third game in a row to start the season at No. 2/1 Alabama. On the Crimson Tide's second offensive series, Driggers ranged back and intercepted Bryce Young's pass while falling backwards.
Driggers registered a team-high eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists) in ULM's 35-7 victory over Nicholls, including one for a 5-yard loss, and intercepted a pass. On a third-and-3 play late in the second quarter, Driggers intercepted Kohen Granier's pass attempt and returned it 10 yards to the Nicholls' 33-yard line. His pick set up ULM's go-ahead score as Malik Jackson crossed the goal line three plays later on an 8-yard run for a 14-7 lead. The Warhawk defense pitched a shutout over the last three quarters and allowed only 198 total yards during that stretch.
Driggers also came up with an interception in the first half in the 2022 season opener at Texas.
SNYDER EMERGES AS PLAYMAKER ON D-LINE –
Red-shirt freshman defensive end Kenard Snyder leads the Warhawks in tackles for loss (9 for 19 yards) and ranks third overall in tackles with 56 (34 solos, 22 assists). The 6-foot, 248-pound Snyder has produced at least a half tackle for loss in five games. He is averaging 6.4 tackles over the last seven games since entering the starting lineup. His four tackles on special teams (all on punt coverage) are tied for the team lead with Tralon Thomas and Dariyan Wiley.
Snyder was credited with eight stops (5 solos, 3 assists) in ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State and matched his career high with three tackles for loss (7 yards).
He made seven stops (3 solos, 4 assists) at Army, including a half tackle for loss.
The Vero Beach, Florida, native led the team with a career-high 11 tackles at South Alabama, including one for a 2-yard loss.
Snyder recorded nine stops (7 solos, 2 assists) in his first career start at Arkansas State, with three resulting in losses (7 yards) including his first career sack (3 yards).
"BATMAN" TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY –
ULM sophomore linebacker Michael Batton took advantage of extended playing time at Georgia State, posting a career-high 16 tackles, including 15 solos, with one forced fumble, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry in the Warhawks' 31-28 victory.
Nicknamed "Batman," Batton played 70 snaps against the Panthers at Will linebacker in place of leading tackler Tristan Driggers, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He entered the game at GSU with 14 tackles on the season.
Overall, Batton ranks seventh on the team in tackles with 35 (26 solos, 9 assists). He contributed five stops each against Nicholls (1 solo, 4 assists) and at Troy (3 solos, 2 assists).
Prior to ULM, Batton played quarterback at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. He was 6-3 in nine starts last year, accounting for 1,110 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns while leading his team to an appearance in the NJCAA Division III Championship Game.
JOHNSON SURPASSES 200-CAREER TACKLE MILESTONE –
With three stops in ULM's Homecoming game against Coastal Carolina, junior defensive back Jabari Johnson reached the 200-career tackles milestone. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound Johnson has tallied 212 career tackles in 44 games. He joins veteran linebacker Zack Woodard (308) as the only active players on the Warhawk roster with at least 200 career stops.
His 33 career starting assignments rank third on the team, trailing only defensive lineman Caleb Thomas (44) and Woodard (40).
SUTHERLAND ETCHES HIS NAME IN THE ULM RECORD BOOK –
Super senior kicker Calum Sutherland leads the Warhawks in scoring with 58 points while connecting on 9-of-10 field-goal attempts and all 31 extra-point tries. He has made eight consecutive field-goal attempts over the last five games. In addition, Sutherland has converted 38-straight extra-point attempts (missed his first PAT attempt at Texas State on Nov. 6, 2021). He is averaging 61.1 yards on 45 kickoffs this season, with 19 resulting in touchbacks (42%).
A native of Keller, Texas, Sutherland accounted for a season-high 11 points in ULM's 31-28 victory at Georgia State to end a 19-game road losing streak. He was perfect on the afternoon, hitting all three field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries. Sutherland kicked field goals of 44 and 36 yards in the first half and his career-long 54-yarder early in the fourth quarter pulled the Warhawks within one score at 28-23. In addition, he averaged 64.1 yards on seven kickoffs, with four resulting in touchbacks. His four touchbacks matched his career high.
Sutherland ranks seventh in ULM history with 25 made field goals, and with 133 career points, he needs to score just three more points in move into the school's all-time Top 10 in kick scoring.
MCCORMICK ADDED TO RAY GUY AWARD WATCH LIST –
Fifth-year senior Devyn McCormick ranks 27th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Sun Belt Conference in punting with his 43.8-yard average. McCormick has placed 15 of his 54 punts (28%) inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He ranks second in the Sun Belt with his 14 punts of 50-plus yards.
McCormick averaged 50.3 yards on three punts at Troy last Saturday, dropping one inside the Trojan 20.
He averaged 37.8 yards on five punts in ULM's 31-28 road win at Georgia State, placing three punts inside the 20-yard line. His three punts inside the 20 matched his career best.
McCormick averaged 47.7 yards on three punts in ULM's 31-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas State. His 49-yard punt late in the second quarter that rolled out of bounds at the Texas State 7 helped set up a ULM touchdown that pulled the Warhawks to within 24-17 at the intermission. ULM trailed 21-0 10 minutes into the game. McCormick also launched a 51-yarder late in the fourth quarter that helped flip the field position.
He averaged 47.8 yards on five punts at South Alabama, including a career-long 62-yarder.
McCormick averaged 48.6 yards on five punts at Arkansas State, including a 60-yarder in the third quarter that rolled out of bounds at the Red Wolves' 18-yard line.
He was one of the unsung heroes in ULM's 21-17 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns, averaging 38.9 yards on seven punts with a career-best three kicks inside the 20.
McCormick launched nine punts for an average of 44.8 yards at No. 2/1 Alabama, with two kicks placed two punts inside the Crimson Tide 20-yard line.
He was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 44.0 yards on five punts against Nicholls, including three kicks downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
A Port Charlotte, Florida, native, McCormick already ranks among ULM's all-time leaders in punting average (sixth at 41.6 avg.) and punting yards (10th at 5,079).
ELEVEN GRADUATES LISTED ON 2022 ULM FOOTBALL ROSTER –
Eleven members of the 2022 ULM football team already have earned their bachelor's degrees: offensive tackle Victor Cutler, linebacker Isaiah Humphries, running back Malik Jackson, defensive back Jabari Johnson, defensive back Kevin Jones, wide receiver Boogie Knight, defensive back Jordyn Riley, defensive tackle Caleb Thomas, linebacker Tralon Thomas, safety Tavier Williams and linebacker Zack Woodard.
Those 11 student-athletes wear a Sun Belt Conference graduate patch on their jersey.
BOWDEN RANKS AMONG NCAA FBS WINNINGEST ACTIVE HEAD COACHES –
ULM's Terry Bowden ranks tied for sixth among NCAA FBS winningest active head coaches with 183 career victories (Eastern Michigan's Chris Creighton), trailing only Alabama's Nick Saban (283), North Carolina's Mack Brown (274), LSU's Brian Kelly (272) and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (194).
BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –
With ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State, the Bowden coaching family reached another milestone. The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (183) and Tommy (90), have combined for 650 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).
NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2022:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Completion Percentage: Chandler Rogers (14th at .679)
Passing Efficiency: Chandler Rogers (41st at 144.3)
Yards Per Pass Attempt: Chandler Rogers (47th at 7.78)
Receiving Yards: Tyrone Howell (41st at 809)
Receiving Yards Per Game: Tyrone Howell (47th at 73.5)
Yards per Reception: Tyrone Howell (33rd at 17.59)
Interceptions Per Game: Tristan Driggers (32nd at 0.3)
Total Interceptions: Tristan Driggers (29th at 3)
Punting: Devyn McCormick (27th at 43.8)
Punt Return Touchdowns: Quae Drake (5th at 1)
Combined Kick Return Yards: Alred Luke (49th at 346 yards)
FOURTEEN WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2022 –
Linebacker Carl Glass Jr. (5-11, 217, So.) made his first career start in the Nov. 12 game at Georgia State, becoming the 14th Warhawk to make his first start in 2022.
Three Warhawks made a first-time start on Oct. 8 against Coastal Carolina. Wide receivers Alred Luke (5-8, 175, R-Fr.) and Bugs Mortimer (5-9, 165, Fr.) started on offense and safety Simion Hines (5-11, 187, Fr.) started on defense.
Four more Warhawks made a first-time start on Oct. 1 at Arkansas State. Defensive end Kenard Snyder (6-0, 248, R-Fr.) and cornerback Car'lin Vigers (6-2, 197, Jr.) made their first starts on defense. Due to the offense starting its first possession on ULM's 1-yard line, the Warhawks went with a three tight end set, allowing Nolan Quinlan (6-5, 247, Jr.) and Abraham Alce (6-0, 260, Jr.) to make their first starts.
ULM right guard Nick Lowe (6-3, 385, Jr.) made his first career start on Sept. 17 against No. 2/1 Alabama.
ULM's starting lineup for the 2022 season opener at Texas featured five first-time starters, including three on the offensive side of the football and two more on defense.
The first-time starters on offense were left tackle center Zarian McGill (6-1, 315, So.), right guard Tellek Lockette (6-4, 331, Fr.) and right tackle Stacey Wilkins (6-7, 321, So.). The first-time starters on defense included Will linebacker Tristan Driggers (6-2, 204, So.) and Cat safety Keydrain Calligan (6-0, 195, So.).
By comparison, ULM's 2021 opening-game lineup at Kentucky included 14 first-time starters.
WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under second-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021-current: 23 games):
2022 / OVERALL
Games played in Malone Stadium: 3-1 / 7-3
Games played on the road/neutral site: 1-6 / 1-12
Games played in August: 0-0 / 0-0
Games played in September: 2-2 / 4-3
Games played in October: 0-4 / 2-7
Games played in November: 2-1 / 2-5
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-0
When leading at halftime: 1-2 / 2-2
When trailing at halftime: 3-5 / 6-13
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 0-0
When scoring first: 0-1 / 3-3
When opponent scores first: 4-6 / 5-12
When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 2-0
When trailing after first quarter: 4-7 / 4-14
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 2-1
When leading after three quarters: 1-0 / 4-1
When trailing after three quarters: 3-7 / 4-14
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 0-0
Overtime games: 0-0 / 0-0
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 2-1 / 4-4
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 2-6 / 2-11
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 / 1-0
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 1-0 / 1-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-3 / 1-6
When outrushing opponent: 2-1 / 5-3
When being outrushed by opponent: 2-6 / 3-12
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 3-2 / 5-4
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 4-5 / 8-12
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 3-0 / 4-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 1-7 / 4-15
When leading in time of possession: 1-4 / 2-6
When trailing in time of possession: 3-3 / 6-9
