Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Related News

Warhawks Open Preseason Football Camp

Warhawks Open Preseason Football Camp

Football Aug 04
MONROE, La. – Under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 80s, second-year ULM head coach Terry Bowden sent his team through a 2 1/2-hour practice in shorts, jerseys and helmets on Thursday, Aug. 4 as the Warhawks opened preseason football camp.
 
"Everybody was anxious to practice because they all want to make a good first impression," Bowden said. "It was a good first day, but with the heat and humidity, the pace dropped off during the second half of practice. We needed a greater sense of urgency as we transitioned from period to period. The guys worked hard all summer, but they had been off for nine days before the first practice. With weather conditions like today, it's all about being in shape and well-conditioned. It will take a few days for the players to become acclimated to the practice pace."
 
One of the top storylines this preseason is the competition between Chandler Rogers and Jiya Wright for the starting nod at quarterback. Rogers appeared in all 12 games in 2021, including six consecutive starts in the middle of the season, accounted for 1,678 yards total offense and 10 touchdowns while Wright saw action in four games last season and accounted for 291 yards total offense and three TDs.
 
"In Chandler Rogers and Jiya Wright, we have a couple quarterbacks who have proven that they have the ability to play in this league," Bowden said. "It has been a nip and tuck battle since the beginning of spring practice, and I suspect it will continue to be a battle. The competition is healthy, and they bring out the best in each other."
 
Replacing four starters in the secondary is another important storyline as preseason camp begins. Jabari Johnson, who started seven games at boundary safety in 2021 and finished third in tackles with 58, is the only returning regular in the defensive backfield.  
 
"There certainly is a lot of newness in the secondary," Bowden said. "There are a lot of new names in the mix for playing time in the defensive backfield, combined with a new secondary coach (Otis Mounds) and a new defensive coordinator (Vic Koenning). It's critical that we identify the starters and back-ups as soon as possible, so they can begin to develop some chemistry. We have brought in some talented players on the back end."
 
Linebacker Quae Drake, who saw action in all 12 games in 2021, including three starts at Sam linebacker, and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 56, provided some insight into what fans should expect to see from the Warhawk defense this season.
 
"We're going to be physical, play hard and run to the football," Drake said. "We're going to be relentless. Coach Koenning and the entire defensive staff emphasize the importance of effort, attention to detail and discipline. We will continue to build upon these things each and every practice, and if we do all of those things, we'll be just fine."    
 
Two separate, spontaneous celebrations caught the attention of the local media, who attended Thursday's opening practice.
 
"There was a lot of excitement post practice," Bowden said. "With the way our numbers turned out during the offseason, we were able to call up two local players and offer them full scholarships. (Linebacker) Carl Glass Jr. and (running back) Charlie Norman have worked hard, paid the price and deserve to become scholarship athletes.
 
"I was a walk-on at West Virginia, so I have walked in their shoes and can relate to the challenges they've faced. I didn't promise them a starting position or promise them playing time, but I did want to reward them for all of their hard work and dedication. Now, they can call their mommas and say, 'I can take care of room, board and tuition myself.' This means a lot to them and their families. Also, being from Ouachita Parish, I'm sure today is even a little more special."
 
"At first, I didn't know why Coach Bowden was calling me up in front of the team," Glass said. "He started talking good things about me, then said I had earned a full scholarship. It means a lot to come back home (started his career at NCAA Division II Harding University) where I competed in high school (Ouachita Parish) and now play at the highest level.
 
"I've always prided myself in putting in the extra work. I've worked extremely hard to put myself in this position, so I'm proud of myself. I hope I can inspire younger kids, so they can do the same.
 
"It will be an easy call to make to my mom, and she might tear up a little bit when she hears the news."
 
Norman, who played a West Monroe High School and joined the Warhawks prior to the 2019 season, has appeared in 15 career games, including a starting assignment at App State last season.
 
"Coach Bowden's announcement surprised me," Norman said. "He told me to keep grinding over the summer, and during fall camp, maybe expect the unexpected. The scholarship means everything. My mom supports me a lot and to be able to take that financial burden off of her is a real blessing.
 
"I can't wait to call my mom, and I suspect she might shed some tears. She's been praying for a scholarship, just as I have. I truly feel like she's out there on the field with me every day, and I know she wanted me to get it, just as bad as I did. I'm both grateful and blessed. God's timing is perfect.
 
"You compete for everything you do in life, so you have to carry a chip on your shoulder.  You need that chip to be successful in life … to compete … to take care of your family. Be humble and committed to do whatever you have to do to pursue your goals.
 
"It's awesome to share this experience with Carl Glass," Norman said. "He came in the spring and played extremely well. I knew he was going to get a scholarship. Like me, he's a hometown kid, who put his head down and kept working. He deserves this opportunity just as much as I do."
 
The Warhawks will practice again in shorts, jerseys and helmets on Friday before adding shoulder pads on Saturday.
 
ULM opens the 2022 season at Texas on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. The season opener will be televised nationally by the Longhorn Network. It marks the Warhawks' second-ever trip to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and their first since 2009.
 
Meet The Warhawks Scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 11
ULM football fans of all ages are invited to attend "Meet The Warhawks," scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 11 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. in Malone Stadium. Second-year ULM head coach Terry Bowden along with the entire 2022 football team will be available for autographs on the home sideline inside the stadium.
 
Admission and parking are free for this event. Fans should enter Malone Stadium through the north end zone tunnel, located directly south of Brown Stadium (soccer and track & field facility). The north end zone tunnel entrance will open at 6:15 p.m.
 
Free 2022 ULM football schedule posters will be provided for the autograph session.
 
Fans also will have the chance to take photos wearing a Warhawk helmet and jersey at a station located at field level. In addition, children will have an opportunity to meet Ace and pose for photos with the popular mascot.
 
The ULM cheerleaders will be on site for face painting or to assist in applying facial decals for the youngsters. 
 
A remote Ticket Office, located at field level in the north end zone, will be open for ULM football season-ticket sales from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Season-ticket sales are up 71 percent from last year.
 
Print Friendly Version