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ULM Opens Sun Belt Play Against Rival Cajuns

ULM Opens Sun Belt Play Against Rival Cajuns

Football
Game 4: Ragin' Cajuns (2-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (1-2, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Sept. 24 | 7:02 p.m. CT
Malone Stadium (30,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN+ | KLIP 105.3 FM
 

2022 ULM Football Notes: Game 4 vs. Ragin' Cajuns
 
Coach Bowden Weekly Press Conference
 
Youth Night Ticket Promo
Youth 18-and-under will receive a free general admission ticket to Saturday's Sun Belt Conference opener against the Ragin' Cajuns in Malone Stadium (7 p.m. kickoff). Accompanying adults may purchase $12 GA tickets (regular price: $15 each).
 
Fant-Ewing Coliseum Ticket Office hours: Saturday opens at 8 a.m. Malone Stadium satellite ticket booths open at 4 p.m.
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• ULM opens Sun Belt Conference play at 7 p.m. Saturday, facing off against the Ragin' Cajuns at Malone Stadium. The Warhawks enter conference play at 1-2 overall after last Saturday's 63-7 loss at No. 2/1 Alabama, while the Ragin' Cajuns are 2-1 overall after last Saturday's 33-21 loss at Rice. It is the first time the two intrastate foes have met to open SBC play since 2017, a 56-50 ULM victory in two overtimes at Cajun Field in Lafayette, the last win in the series for the Warhawks.
 
• Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting between ULM and Ragin' Cajuns with the Ragin' Cajuns leading the series, 31-25. The Ragin' Cajuns vacated a victory in 2011 due to the use of ineligible players. The Cajuns won last year's meeting, 21-16, in Lafayette. ULM last defeated the Cajuns, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette.
 
Four of the last five meetings have been decided by six points or less.
 
• ULM enters its 22nd season of Sun Belt competition with a 7-14 record (.333) in league openers. The Warhawks are 5-5 in their last 10 conference openers. Saturday's game marks the third time ULM has opened SBC play against the Ragin' Cajuns, with the two teams splitting the two previous meetings. ULM won the last SBC opener between the two, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette. The Ragin' Cajuns won the 2008 SBC opener in Malone Stadium, 44-35, on Oct. 4.
 
• ULM's 2022 roster features 37 players from the state of Louisiana, including two projected starters on offense and four on defense: Cat backer Keydrain Calligan (New Iberia/Westgate), left tackle Victor Cutler (West Monroe), wide receiver Will Derrick (Shreveport/Calvary Baptist), Star backer Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita), cornerback Lu Tillery (New Orleans/St. Augustine) and free safety Tavier Williams (Many).
 
• Sophomore linebacker Tristan Driggers intercepted his third pass of the season in last Saturday's game 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. He is tied for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead with 1.0 interceptions per game, along with Nevada's Bentlee Sanders and Georgia State's Quavian White. Sanders leads in total interceptions with four interceptions in Nevada's four games, followed by Driggers and White with three each.
 
Driggers recorded a team-high eight tackles, including one for a 5-yard loss, and intercepted a pass in ULM's 35-7 victory over Nicholls in the Warhawks' home opener on Sept. 10.
 
• Through three games, sophomore quarterback Chandler Rogers has thrown for 457 yards on 45-of-65 passing (69.2%) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has rushed for 69 yards and one touchdown.
 
Against No. 2/1 Alabama, Rogers threw for 96 yards on 11-of-21 passing with an interception. He was sacked four times in the loss.
 
He accounted for 308 yards total offense and three touchdowns in leading ULM to a 35-7 win over Nicholls on Sept. 10 in the Warhawks' home opener. Rogers recorded his first 200-yard passing game of the season and fifth of his career, completing 20-of-25 throws for 253 yards and two scores. He completed passes to 10 different receivers, including TD strikes of 4 yards to Zach 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.
 
After a slow start, ULM took control of the game as Rogers directed TD drives on four of five possessions, including three straight during one stretch.
 
• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jevin Frett leads the team with 11 receptions, 141 receiving yards (12.8 yards per catch) and one touchdown following the first three games of the season. He had one catch for 9 yards last Saturday against No. 2/1 Alabama.
 
He set career highs with six receptions and 71 receiving yards in the Sept. 10 35-7 win over Nicholls. He had a long reception of 23 yards and caught an 18-yard TD pass from Chandler Rogers in the third quarter to extend ULM's lead to 28-7. He leads the team with 10 catches for 132 yards and one TD through two weeks. The Manchester, Connecticut, native has played in 22 games at ULM with 39 receptions for 634 yards (16.3 yards per catch) and three TDs.
 
• Fifth-year senior Devyn McCormick ranks seventh in the Sun Belt Conference and 38th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with his 43.2-yard punting average. McCormick launched nine punts for an average of 44.8 yards per kick last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama. He placed two punts inside the 20-yard line. He launched a season long punt of 57 yards late in the first quarter.
 
He was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 12. He averaged 44.0 yards on five punts, including three kicks down inside the opponent's 20-yard line, in ULM's 35-7 win over Nicholls on Sept. 10.
 
• Super senior placekicker Calum Sutherland remained perfect on the season, knocking through his only extra point attempt of the day last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama. He is seven-for-seven on extra point attempts this season. He connected on all five of his extra points in the Sept. 10 win over Nicholls. He opened his 2022 season by hitting his only field-goal attempt of the season to date, a 25-yard attempt, in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 7-3 at Texas on Sept. 3. He also connected on his only PAT attempt, which came in the fourth quarter.
 
A Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second-Team selection, Sutherland led ULM in scoring with 75 points in 2021 – tied for the ninth-highest single-season total in program history. The Keller, Texas, product ranked third in the Sun Belt and 42nd in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 1.33 field goals made per game. He also finished eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 6.25 points per game.
 
Sutherland hit 16-of-21 field-goal attempts (.762) and 27-of-28 extra-point tries in 2021. His 16 field goals made tied the third-best single-season total in ULM history. He made 8-of-12 field-goal attempts from 40 or more yards, including 2-of-4 from 50 plus. Sutherland connected on the two longest field goals (53 and 52 yards) in the Sun Belt during the 2021 season.
 
• Through three games, ULM is one of 19 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision to remain perfect in red zone offense. The Warhawks have scored points on all seven trips inside the red zone, including a 5-for-5 mark against Nicholls on Sept. 10. ULM picked up a field goal on its only trip inside the red zone at RV/No. 18 Texas on Sept. 3 and scored a touchdown on its only red zone visit at No. 2/1 Alabama last Saturday. The Warhawks have scored touchdowns on six of their seven red zone trips, and have scored four rushing touchdowns in the seven visits.
 
2022 STAT LEADERS –
ULM
Rushing – Malik Jackson (34 carries for 110 yards, 3.2 avg., 2 TD)
Passing – Chandler Rogers (45 of 65, 69.2%, for 457 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Jevin Frett (11 catches for 141 yards, 12.8 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Tristan Driggers (12 tackles, eight solos, four assists, 1 TFL, 3 INTs)
 
RAGIN' CAJUNS
Rushing – Chris Smith (25 carries for 116 yards, 4.6 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Chandler Fields (30 of 54, 55.6%, for 352 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Michael Jefferson (12 catches for 154 yards, 12.8 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Kam Pedescleaux (22 tackles, 15 solos, seven assists, 0.5 TFL, 1 INT)
 
ULM/RAGIN' CAJUNS COACHING CONNECTIONS –
• ULM associate head coach and inside linebackers coach Ron West spent seven years as the defensive coordinator at ULL (1986-92), including serving as the assistant head coach in 1992.
 
• Former ULM head coach Matt Viator is in his second season as an analyst on the ULL staff. Viator, who departed after ULM went 0-10 in 2020, was 19-39 in five seasons at ULM.
 
• ULL defensive coordinator Lamar Morgan spent two seasons (2016-17) as the defensive backs coach at ULM.
 
• Prior to joining the ULL staff in 2018, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Tim Leger served as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at ULM from 2016-17.
 
ULM/RAGIN' CAJUNS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting between ULM and Ragin' Cajuns with the Ragin' Cajuns leading the series, 31-25. The Ragin' Cajuns vacated a victory in 2011 due to the use of ineligible players. The Cajuns won last year's meeting, 21-16, in Lafayette. ULM last defeated the Cajuns, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by six points or less.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Ragin' Cajuns 21, ULM 16  (Nov. 27, 2021 in Lafayette, Louisiana): ULM couldn't find the firepower to upset the No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns in the season finale but the Warhawks made it interesting until the end.
 
The Warhawks were on the wrong side of a defensive struggle, falling 21-16 on Saturday afternoon at Cajun Field.
 
All season, coaches asked the team the question "Will you fight or will you quit?" ULM's answer was evident on the final offensive series for the Warhawks, who drove 71 yards on 11 plays to cut the score to 21-16. Malik Jackson scored on a 12-yard run with 1:35 left but the 2-point conversion pass was incomplete.
 
An onside kick attempt was recovered by the Cajuns, who escaped with the win.
 
In the first year under Bowden, ULM finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Cajuns concluded the regular season 11-1 and 8-0, securing a perfect conference record for the first time in school history.
 
Coming in as three-touchdown underdogs, ULM trailed by just four at halftime and stayed within striking distance of the Cajuns into the waning minutes. But the offense, limited to just 325 yards, was unable to sustain enough drives to get over the hump. ULM was 4-of-14 on third-down conversions and 2-of-5 on fourth down.
 
Jackson was a bright spot for the ULM offense, rushing for 122 yards and the touchdown on 22 carries. The Warhawks couldn't find enough consistent success in the passing game as Rhett Rodriguez completed 11-of-24 attempts for 145 yards and one score.
 
The Warhawks limited Cajun quarterback Levi Lewis to 163 passing yards. The Cajuns gained 382 total yards, with 165 rushing.
 
The Cajuns needed two plays to go 75 yards for a touchdown on the game's opening drive. Lewis ran 20 yards for the score after completing a 55-yard pass to Neal Johnson on the first play from scrimmage.
 
Calum Sutherland kicked a 26-yard field goal with 7:33 left in the first quarter to cut the score to 7-3. ULM mounted a 15-play, 66-yard drive on its first offensive turn, picking up four first downs including a fourth-down conversion.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns extended the lead to 14-3 with 3:48 left in the first quarter on a fourth-down touchdown pass from Chris Smith to Kyren Lacy. Smith took the direct snap on fourth-and-2 from the ULM 37 and connected with the receiver to finish the eight-play, 75-yard drive.
 
After giving up a pair of touchdowns on ULL's first two drives, the Warhawks settled in.
 
Following ULM's fourth-down stop against the Cajuns on a tackle by Nick Roberts, the Warhawks scored five plays later on a 46-yard pass down the middle from Rodriguez to Boogie Knight. The Warhawks drove 62 yards to narrow the margin to 14-10 with 12:29 left in the second quarter.
 
On the ensuing series, Sir'Darrius Ellis and Myles Cole combined to sack Lewis for a loss of 8 yards on first down and the Cajuns went three-and-out. Back on offense, ULM benefitted from a roughing-the-passer penalty that wiped out a ULL interception but gave it back with a turnover on downs at the Cajuns' 38.
 
ULM forced another three-and-out late in the half and but was fortunate to go to the locker room down just four after Andrew Henry's untimely fumble with 11 seconds remaining. ULL recovered at the ULM 22 and attempted a pass into the end zone before Nate Snyder missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.
 
ULM gained 176 yards on 37 plays in the first half, with 95 rushing and 81 passing. The Cajuns accumulated 211 yards on 29 plays, with 156 through the air and 55 on the ground.
 
The Warhawks went three-and-out to start the third quarter, but the ULM defense would force another turnover on downs as the Cajuns stalled at the 31.
 
After another ULM punt continued the uneventful start to the third, the Cajuns rediscovered the big plays in their offense. Montrell Johnson popped a 42-yard run and Lewis passed 27 yards to Peter LeBlanc to jumpstart a four-play, 85-yard drive. Emani Bailey's 2-yard touchdown run with 5:01 left in the third quarter gave ULL a 21-10 lead.
 
On fourth-and-7 from the ULM 39 with 2:06 left in the third, the Warhawks attempted a fake punt by Devyn McCormick's pass toward Ty Shelby fell incomplete.
 
After ULM's turnover on downs, the Cajuns faced fourth-and-1 from the 3 with 13:13 remaining in the game. But the Quae Drake flushed Lewis out of the pocket and he fired incomplete.
 
With Chandler Rogers in at quarterback, ULM took over moved past midfield but turned the ball over 11 plays later on downs at the ULL 40.
 
THE LAST MEETING AT MALONE STADIUM –
Ragin' Cajuns 70, ULM 20 (Nov. 28, 2020, in Monroe, Louisiana): Close calls became the norm in recent meetings between ULM and the Ragin' Cajuns, but a rough 2020 season bucked that trend.
 
Quarterback Levi Lewis had a hand in five touchdowns and the Cajuns 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.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns 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 the Cajuns 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 the Cajuns' 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 the Cajuns extended their 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.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns 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 the Cajuns 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.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns weren'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 the Cajuns' 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 the Cajuns' lead grew to 63-20.
 
After intercepting freshman quarterback Garrett Kahmann, the Cajuns would score three plays later on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jaiave Magalei to Kaleb Carter for the final margin.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT –
No. 2/1 Alabama 63, ULM 7 (Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama): Alabama manufactured a four-touchdown lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 63-7 win over ULM Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
 
The Crimson Tide scored three non-offensive touchdowns in the rout and amassed more yards on eight punt returns (262) than ULM (1-2) posted offensively (169).
 
The Tide (3-0) sacked Chandler Rogers four times with one interception while limiting ULM's quarterback to 96 yards on 11-of-21 passing. ULM rushed 40 times for just 78 yards.
 
No. 2/1 Alabama pounced on ULM for a 28-0 first-quarter lead while scoring in all three phases.
 
The Alabama onslaught began with the Crimson Tide's first offensive series as quarterback Bryce Young tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Traeshon Holden with 13:12 left in the first quarter.  Alabama needed four plays to go 75 yards.
 
ULM linebacker Tristan Driggers intercepted Young for his third pick of the young season in the first quarter, but Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. returned the favor with a flair two plays later by intercepting Rogers and returning it 25 yards for a score that put the Tide ahead 14-0 with 10:52 showing on the clock. The second-down pass caromed off running back Andrew Henry's shoulder pads.
 
A special teams mishap by ULM allowed Alabama to go up 21-0 barely six minutes into the game. Ja'Corey Brooks blocked a Devyn McCormick punt, Malachi Moore recovered at the 3 and scored with 8:50 remaining in the first.
 
A 7-yard touchdown run by Young with 4:21 to go in the first boosted the home team's lead to 28-0.
 
Instead of wilting, ULM rallied in the second quarter and mounted an impressive eight-play, 57-yard drive to get on the board. ULM took over after Alabama's turnover on downs and Malik Jackson scored on an 11-yard run to cut the lead to 28-7 with 10:11 left before halftime.
 
The Warhawks slowed Alabama's roll for most of the second quarter and kept the Tide from scoring again until right before the half. Amari Niblack's 15-yard touchdown catch from Young ended a rapid six-play, 93-yard drive with 52 seconds remaining.
 
Alabama tallied 225 yards on 25 offensive plays to lead 35-7 at the break. Young completed 10-of-13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
 
ULM gained 133 yards on 41 plays while winning time of possession 21:51 to 8:09. Jackson netted 35 yards with a touchdown on 11 attempts and Rogers completed 9-of-17 first-half passes for 75 yards. Alabama sacked Rogers three times in the half.
 
The ULM defense contributed its second takeaway when cornerback Duece Mayberry intercepted Young on Alabama's first series of the second half. But Alabama's might was too much to keep down.
 
A 29-yard punt return by Kool-Aid McKinstry set up the Tide's next score. Four plays and 53 yards later, Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs made a nifty run on a 37-yard touchdown reception from Young with 8:41 left in the third and the home team led 42-7.
 
Roydell Williams scored on a 10-yard run at the 4:30 mark of the third quarter to extend Alabama's lead to 49-7.
 
Brian Branch scored Alabama's third non-offensive touchdown with a 68-yard punt return with 12:36 left in the fourth quarter for a 56-7 lead.
 
Trey Sanders finished a 10-play, 49-yard march with a 6-yard touchdown run with 7:36 to go for the final 63-7 margin.
 
SUN BELT OPENERS –
ULM enters its 22nd season of Sun Belt competition with a 7-14 record (.333) in league openers. The Warhawks are 5-5 in their last 10 conference openers. Saturday's game marks the third time ULM has opened SBC play against the Ragin' Cajuns, with the two teams splitting the two previous meetings. ULM won the last SBC opener between the two, 56-50 in two overtimes, on Sept. 23, 2017, in Lafayette. The Ragin' Cajuns won the 2008 SBC opener in Malone Stadium, 44-35, on Oct. 4.
 
SIX WARHAWKS HAVE MADE FIRST-TIME STARTS IN 2022 –
ULM right guard Nick Lowe (6-3, 385, Jr.) made his first career start last Saturday against No. 2/1 Alabama. He is the sixth Warhawk to make a first-time start in 2022.
 
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 Kentucky included 14 first-time starters.
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE PELICAN STATE –
ULM's 2022 roster features 37 players from the state of Louisiana, including two projected starters on offense and four on defense: Cat backer Keydrain Calligan (New Iberia/Westgate), left tackle Victor Cutler (West Monroe), wide receiver Will Derrick (Shreveport/Calvary Baptist), Star backer Jabari Johnson (Monroe/Ouachita), cornerback Lu Tillery (New Orleans/St. Augustine) and free safety Tavier Williams (Many).
 
MISTER ROGERS' OFFENSE –
Through three games, sophomore quarterback Chandler Rogers has thrown for 457 yards on 45-of-65 passing (69.2%) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has rushed for 69 yards and one touchdown.
 
Against No. 2/1 Alabama, Rogers threw for 96 yards on 11-of-21 passing with an interception. He was sacked four times in the loss.
 
He accounted for 308 yards total offense and three touchdowns in leading ULM to a 35-7 win over Nicholls on Sept. 10 in the Warhawks' home opener. Rogers recorded his first 200-yard passing game of the season and fifth of his career, completing 20-of-25 throws for 253 yards and two scores. He completed passes to 10 different receivers, including TD strikes of 4 yards to Zach 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.
 
He made his eighth starting appearance of his career in the season opener on Sept. 3 at Texas. He completed 14-of-19 passes for 108 yards and an interception. He was sacked three times. He hit eight different receivers with his 14 completions.
 
The 6-foot, 194-pound Rogers, who outdueled junior Jiya Wright for the starting nod, appeared in all 12 games in 2021, including six consecutive starts in the middle of the season (at Coastal Carolina, vs. Georgia State, vs. Liberty, vs. South Alabama, at App State and at Texas State) after Rhett Rodriguez suffered a chest injury in Game 3 against Troy. He became one of 16 freshmen quarterbacks to start at least six regular-season games in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2021 and started seven games overall after joining Rodriguez in the backfield for ULM's first play from scrimmage in the home finale against Arkansas State.
 
Rogers played 476 offensive snaps and accounted for 1,678 yards total offense and 10 touchdowns. He completed 112-of-179 throws for 1,311 yards, nine TDs and three interceptions. Rogers ranked among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in completion percentage (third at .626) and passing efficiency rating (sixth at 137.3 rating). His .626 completion percentage set the ULM single-season record while his 137.3 passing efficiency rating ranks third on the school's single-season chart. He led the team in passing and total offense while finishing third in rushing with 139 carries for 367 yards and a score. Rogers led the team in runs of 10 or more yards (16) and in runs that result in first downs (26).
 
He recorded his fourth 200-yard passing game of the season at Texas State, connecting on 28-of-43 throws for 262 yards. Rogers, who completed passes to nine different receivers, also added 52 yards on 23 carries and scored his first career rushing TD on a 10-yard keeper to finish off a nine-play, 75-yard drive in the second quarter. He accounted for 314 yards total offense against the Bobcats while playing a career-best 99 snaps.
 
Rogers completed 56-of-83 throws (.675) for 802 yards (267.3 ypg.), eight TDs and one interception during ULM's three-game homestand in October. His passing efficiency rating during that stretch was an impressive 178.0.
 
He was selected as one of the eight Manning Award "Stars of the Week" as well as Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week after completing 25-of-35 passes for 369 yards, four TDs and 409 yards of total offense in ULM's 41-31 victory over South Alabama. Rogers set career highs for passing yards, passing TDs and total offense against the Jaguars. He 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 matched the highest single-game total by a ULM quarterback since 2017 (Caleb Evans vs. Arkansas State), and his 81-yard strike to Derrick with 1:07 left in the third quarter matched the 10th-longest pass play in school history. Rogers completed passes to nine different receivers against USA and led the Warhawks to scores on five of six possessions during one stretch (four TDs and one field goal). He also picked up 40 yards rushing on 15 carries. ULM scored 17 unanswered points to close out the game, turning a 31-24 deficit into a 10-point win.
 
A native of Mansfield, Texas, Rogers connected on 16-of-25 throws for 225 yards, two TDs and one interception in ULM's 31-28 upset victory over Liberty. He went 9-for-9 for 91 yards in the third quarter, 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. Rogers completed passes to eight different receivers and added 42 rushing yards on a season-high 25 carries. He directed a seven-play, 57-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that resulted in Calum Sutherland's game-winning 53-yard field goal vs. Liberty. 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 posted his first 200-yard passing game against Georgia State, hitting 15-of-23 passes for 208 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. Rogers also led the Warhawks in rushing for the second consecutive game, picking up a season-best 72 yards on 14 carries.
 
WARHAWKS WITH THE GROUND ATTACK –
ULM returns its top three rushers from 2021, in Andrew Henry (131 carries for 482 yards and 4 TDs), Malik Jackson (80 for 451 and 3 TDs) and Chandler Rogers (139 for 367 and 1 TD). That trio combined to account for 1,300 rushing yards – 80 percent of last year's ground game – and eight rushing TDs.
 
Last Saturday against No. 2/1 Alabama, Jackson led the team with 13 carries for 36 yards and one touchdown.
 
On Sept. 10 against Nicholls, Rogers and Jackson tied for the lead on the ground. Rogers tallied eight carries for 55 yards and a TD, while Jackson had 12 totes for 55 yards and a score. Henry added 25 yards on five carries and a TD.
 
In the season opener at Texas, Jackson led the trio with 19 yards on nine carries, while Henry picked up 17 yards on 10 carries and Rogers had 12 carries for eight yards.
 
Henry led ULM in rushing (485 yards) and rushing touchdowns (4) in 2021. In addition, the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Henry gained an impressive 73 percent of his rushing yards (352 of 485) after contact. He ranked second on the team in runs of 10 or more yards (11) and in runs that resulted in first downs (20).
 
Henry led ULM in rushing for the fifth time in 2021 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. 
 
The Dallas, Texas, native led the team in rushing against Liberty, gaining 80 yards on 15 carries, including a 40-yard TD run in the third quarter.  
 
He made the most of his second career start against Troy, rushing for 108 yards on 19 carries and scoring his first career touchdown on a 40-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play. It was the first 100-yard rushing game by a Warhawk since Josh Johnson ran for 109 yards at UL Lafayette on Nov. 30, 2019.
 
Jackson, who made the transition from slot receiver to running back late last season, averaged nearly 119 rushing yards over the last three games and scored three TDs. He gained 112 yards in the season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns and rushed for a career-high 166 yards and two scores in the home finale against Arkansas State, including a 75-yard run.
 
The 5-10, 175-pound Jackson led the Warhawks with 21 carries for 78 yards in the Nov. 20 27-14 loss at LSU.
 
In his first collegiate start, he carried 22 times for a career-high 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 Henry and Isaiah Phillips sidelined with injuries.
 
With ULM trailing A-State, 10-0, with 1:28 left in the second quarter, he 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, Jackson 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, he 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. Jackson gained 93 yards on eight rushes in the third quarter alone.
 
MARTIN MAKES MOST OF FIRST OPPORTUNITY AT ULM –
Sophomore running back Zack Martin made his ULM debut in the season opener at Texas, rushing for a team-high 39 yards on four carries (9.8 yards per carry) with a 23-yard touchdown run at Texas. Martin joined the ULM roster in 2019 but redshirted the season. The Woodville, Texas, native missed the 2020 season with a knee injury and the 2021 season with a quad injury before making his playing debut in the 2022 season opener, marking his first game-action since his senior year of high school in 2018.
 
He had four carries for 16 yards in the Sept. 10 win over Nicholls and added two yards on one carry at No. 2/1 Alabama, giving him nine carries for 57 yards (6.3 yards per carry) on the season.
 
DON'T FRET(T) –
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jevin Frett leads the team with 11 receptions, 141 receiving yards (12.8 yards per catch) and one touchdown following the first three games of the season. He had one catch for 9 yards last Saturday against No. 2/1 Alabama.
 
He set career highs with six receptions and 71 receiving yards in the Sept. 10 35-7 win over Nicholls. He had a long reception of 23 yards and caught an 18-yard TD pass from Chandler Rogers in the third quarter to extend ULM's lead to 28-7. He leads the team with 10 catches for 132 yards and one TD through two weeks. The Manchester, Connecticut, native has played in 22 games at ULM with 39 receptions for 634 yards (16.3 yards per catch) and three TDs.
 
He matched his previous career high with four receptions in the 2022 season opener at Texas. He led the Warhawks with 61 receiving yards, and his 46-yard reception from junior quarterback Garrett Hable set up ULM's lone touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.
 
The Manchester, Connecticut, native has played in 22 games at ULM with 39 receptions for 634 yards (16.3 yards per catch) and three TDs.
 
BOOGIE ON THE BAYOU –
Super senior Boogie Knight opened his 2022 season with a combined five catches for 41 yards in games at Texas and vs. Nicholls. A Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second-Team selection by the league's head coaches and media panel, Knight led the Warhawks in receptions (45), receiving yards (588), touchdown receptions (3) and all-purpose yards (824) last season. His 2021 receiving numbers (receptions, receiving yards and TD receptions) surpassed his three-year totals at Akron.
 
Knight ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in combined kick return yards (sixth at 239), receptions (11th at 3.8 per game) and receiving yards (11th). Twenty-six of his 45 catches resulted in a first down (58 percent). He also led the team in first down receptions (26), yards after the catch (236) and explosive receptions (+15 yards: 17). Knight returned 12 kickoffs for 219 yards (18.3 avg.) and six punts for 20 yards.
 
A native of Jefferson, Ohio, Knight has amassed 2,819 career all-purpose yards on 230 touches (12.3 yards per play). He needs 181 all-purpose yards to reach the 3,000-yard career milestone.
 
Knight had two receptions, including a 46-yard TD catch from Rhett Rodriguez, totaling 47 yards in the 2021 season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette.
 
He led the Warhawks with five receptions for 57 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rodriguez in the second quarter, 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, at Texas State.
For the third time on the season, Knight matched his career high with six receptions 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, 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.
 
He 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.
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).
 
EXPERIENCED PASS CATCHERS –
Ten of ULM's top 11 pass catchers return from the 2021 season. Three returning lettermen caught 25 or more passes, led by Boogie Knight, who led the Warhawks with 45 receptions for 588 yards (13.1 avg.) and three touchdowns. Will Derrick (353 yards and one TD) and Zach Jackson (301 yards and two TDs) caught 25 passes each.
 
The 6-foot, 160-pound Derrick ranked second on the team in yards after the catch (146) and third in first-down receptions (15). He had five receptions of 15 or more yards. Derrick has caught at least one pass in nine consecutive games entering 2022.
 
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 23rd-longest catch in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2021. 
 
Three of Derrick's five receptions against USA resulted in first downs.
 
Jackson averaged just over 12.0 yards per catch in 2021. He had at least three receptions six times. He had a season high five catches vs. Georgia State, going for 59 yards and one score. He also had four grabs for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Warhawks' win over Troy. He tallied four catches for 47 yards in ULM's upset win over Liberty.
 
RASMUSSEN LEADS PASS CATCHERS AT ALABAMA –
Fifth-year senior tight end Zach Rasmussen was the leading pass catcher for ULM last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama. He picked up career highs with four receptions and 39 yards.
 
He entered the season with seven career catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns in 21 career games. In three games in 2022, he has six catches for 48 yards and one touchdown. He has totaled 13 catches for 152 yards and four touchdowns in 24 career contests.
 
He 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.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE CONTINUES TO DEVELOP –
Offensive line development will be another key storyline early in 2022. Only three lettermen return along ULM's offensive line: left tackle Victor Cutler, who made seven combined starts at three different positions in 2021 (four at center, two at right tackle and one at left tackle), left guard Peyton Dunn (10 starts last season) and right tackle Keydrell Lewis (11 total starts; played a team-leading 837 offensive snaps). Cutler made a season-opening start at left tackle on Saturday. Left guard Elijah Fisher made his second career start. Center Zarian McGill, right guard Tellek Lockette and right tackle Stacey Wilkins each made their first career starts in a Warhawk uniform against Texas. Dunn and Lewis returned to the starting lineup Sept. 10 vs. Nicholls. Nick Lowe made his first career start at right guard last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama.
 
DRIGGERS MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN –
Sophomore linebacker Tristan Driggers intercepted his third pass of the season in last Saturday's game 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. He is tied for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead with 1.0 interceptions per game, along with Nevada's Bentlee Sanders and Georgia State's Quavian White. Sanders leads in total interceptions with four interceptions in Nevada's four games, followed by Driggers and White with three each.
 
Driggers recorded a team-high eight tackles, including one for a 5-yard loss, and intercepted a pass in ULM's 35-7 victory over Nicholls in the Warhawks' home opener on Sept. 10.
 
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 scored three plays later on an 8-yard run for a 14-7 lead. It marked Driggers' second-straight game with an interception as he also came up with one in the first half in the season opener at Texas.
 
The Warhawk defense pitched a shutout over the last three quarters and allowed only 198 total yards during that stretch.
 
Driggers played three seasons at Kilgore College, redshirting the 2019 season before playing in the spring and fall of 2021. He was ranked among the nation's Top 10 JUCO safeties by ESPN (No. 8).
 
THOMAS RETURNS TO ANCHOR DEFENSIVE FRONT –
Super senior nose guard Caleb Thomas has posted five tackles, one solo and four assists, through the first three games of the season. He ranked second among ULM defensive linemen and 10th on the team overall with a career-high 37 tackles (12 solos, 25 assists) in 2021. The 6-foot, 308-pound Thomas finished second on the team in tackles for loss with 7.5 for 30 yards, including 2.5 sacks for 19 yards; his totals for tackles for loss and sacks also represented career highs. He recorded at least a half tackle for loss in seven games. Thomas posted six stops (3 solos, 3 assists) in the season finale at the No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns, including a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss (9 yards). He made a career-high seven tackles (3 solos, 4 assists) against Georgia State.
 
BRINGING THE WOODARD –
Super senior linebacker Zack Woodard recorded eight tackles (four solo, four assists) in the first three games of the 2022 season.  He also picked up a tackle for loss against Nicholls.
 
Woodard, who led the Warhawks in tackles for loss (8.5 for 27 yards) and finished second in sacks (3.5 for 18 yards) in 2021, was selected Team MVP and Defensive MVP by the coaching staff following last season. The Thomasville, Alabama, native ranked second on the team with 89 tackles (42 solos, 47 assists) and ranked fifth in the Sun Belt in tackles, averaging 7.4 per game. He produced double-figure tackles in four games, including 11 stops (8 solos, 3 assists) at LSU.
 
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Woodard posted his second consecutive double-figure tackle game at LSU with 11 tackles (8 solos, 3 assists) and a tackle for loss for 3 yards. It was the fourth time last season and eighth time in his career to post double-figure tackles.
 
He was second on the team with seven tackles (3 solos, 4 assists) and a quarterback hurry in the 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.
 
He collected 13 tackles, including a half tackle for loss, to help lead ULM to a 41-31 victory over South Alabama. 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.
 
SUTHERLAND LOOKS TO BUILD ON PRODUCTIVE 2021 SEASON –
Super senior placekicker Calum Sutherland remained perfect on the season, knocking through his only extra point attempt of the day last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama. He is seven-for-seven on extra point attempts this season. He connected on all five of his extra points in the Sept. 10 win over Nicholls. He opened his 2022 season by hitting his only field-goal attempt of the season to date, a 25-yard attempt, in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 7-3 at Texas on Sept. 3. He also connected on his only PAT attempt, which came in the fourth quarter.
 
A Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second-Team selection, Sutherland led ULM in scoring with 75 points in 2021 – tied for the ninth-highest single-season total in program history. The Keller, Texas, product ranked third in the Sun Belt and 42nd in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 1.33 field goals made per game. He also finished eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 6.25 points per game.
 
Sutherland hit 16-of-21 field-goal attempts (.762) and 27-of-28 extra-point tries. His 16 field goals made tied the third-best single-season total in ULM history. He made 8-of-12 field-goal attempts from 40 or more yards, including 2-of-4 from 50 plus. Sutherland connected on the two longest field goals (53 and 52 yards) in the Sun Belt during the 2021 season.
He made two of his three field-goal attempts at Texas State, hitting from 45 and 52 yards while missing from 51.
 
Sutherland made both of his field-goal attempts against 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.
 
He was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season as well as Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week following his game-winning 53-yard field goal against Liberty with 1:43 to play in the fourth quarter, lifting ULM to a 31-28 upset over the Flames. The kick 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, booting through field goals from 40 and 30 yards against the Chanticleers.
 
He made both of his field-goal attempts, connecting from 26 and 32 yards, all three of his extra-point tries against Troy.
 
Sutherland, who accounted for all 12 points in ULM's 12-7 victory over Jackson State in the home opener, was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. 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 in his ULM debut at Kentucky.
 
McCORMICK RANKS AMONG SUN BELT'S TOP PUNTERS –
Fifth-year senior Devyn McCormick ranks seventh in the Sun Belt Conference and 38th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with his 43.2-yard punting average. McCormick launched nine punts for an average of 44.8 yards per kick last Saturday at No. 2/1 Alabama. He placed two punts inside the 20-yard line. He launched a season long punt of 57 yards late in the first quarter.
 
He was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 12. He averaged 44.0 yards on five punts, including three kicks down inside the opponent's 20-yard line, in ULM's 35-7 win over Nicholls on Sept. 10.
 
In 2021, McCormick averaged 40.7 yards per punt on 68 attempts, placing 17 inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Four punts went for touchbacks and eight punts traveled farther than 50 yards.
 
McCormick transferred to ULM from Ave Maria (Fla.), where he was a three-time All-Sun Division selection and led the NAIA in punting in 2020 at 42.5 yards per punt while placing 11-of-29 punts inside the 20-yard line.
 
WARHAWKS LEAST PENALIZED TEAM IN FBS IN 2021 –
Since taking over the ULM program, second-year head coach Terry Bowden has emphasized the importance of playing disciplined football and his team has taken the message to heart. The Warhawks ranked as the least-penalized team in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2021. ULM committed just 44 penalties, or 3.67 penalties per game, for 384 yards, good for 32.0 yards per game, which all ranked as the fewest in the FBS. The Warhawks were penalized just four times for 17 yards in the season finale against the Ragin' Cajuns in 2021.
 
After struggling with penalties in the season-opener at RV/No. 18 Texas (seven penalties for 63 yards), ULM has bounced back over the last two weeks. The Warhawks committed four penalties for 40 yards vs. Nicholls on Sept. 10 before being flagged three times for 25 yards at No. 2/1 Alabama last Saturday.
 
The Warhawks have moved toward the top of the FBS again in fewest penalty categories. ULM ranks 19th in the FBS and third in the Sun Belt Conference in fewest penalties per game (4.67), 22nd in FBS and fourth in the SBC in fewest penalties (14), 28th in FBS and fourth in the SBC in fewest penalty yards (128) and 29th in FBS and third in the SBC in fewest penalty yards per game (42.67).
 
MILESTONE TRACKER –
• Super senior linebacker Zack Woodard needs three tackles to reach the 250-career milestone. The Jacksonville State transfer has registered 247 career tackles in 47 career games (JSU and ULM combined), including 33 starts. He has produced double-digit tackles in eight career games. 
 
• Super senior Boogie Knight needs 129 all-purpose yards to reach the 3,000-yard career milestone. The Akron transfer has amassed 2,871 career all-purpose yards on 238 touches (12.1 yards per play).  
 
• Super senior wide receiver Zach Jackson needs 95 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard career milestone. A four-year letterman, Jackson has 73 career receptions for 905 yards (12.4 avg.) and four touchdowns in 44 games (16 starts). 
 
• Junior defensive back Jabari Johnson needs 11 more tackles to reach the 200-career milestone. A three-year letterman, Johnson has recorded 189 career tackles in 39 games, including 26 starting assignments.
 
ULM CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST POSTSEASON BOWL APPEARANCE –
More than 70 former players along with former head football coach Todd Berry will return to campus this weekend as ULM celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first postseason bowl appearance, in the 2012 Independence Bowl. The team will be recognized on the field between the third and fourth quarter of Saturday night's Sun Belt Conference opener against the Ragin' Cajuns in Malone Stadium.
 
The Warhawks opened the 2012 season with a bang as quarterback Kolton Browning accounted for 481 total yards and four touchdowns, including a 16-yard TD run in overtime, as ULM upset No. 8 Arkansas, 34-31, in Little Rock.
 
After dropping its next two games by a combined total of eight points (31-28 at Auburn in overtime and 47-42 to Baylor in the home opener), ULM reeled off five consecutive victories: 63-10 at Tulane, 31-17 at Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt opener, 35-14 against Florida Atlantic, 43-42 at Western Kentucky in overtime and 38-24 against South Alabama to become bowl eligible. 
 
The Warhawks started November with back-to-back losses to the Ragin' Cajuns, 40-24, in Malone Stadium and at Arkansas State, 45-23, before closing out the regular season with consecutive wins over North Texas, 42-16, and at FIU, 23-17. ULM finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, tied for second in the Sun Belt standings with a 6-2 ledger and earned a bid to play Ohio in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. 
 
For his efforts, Berry was voted Sun Belt Coach of the Year. 
 
Browning, who accounted for 3,537 yards total offense and a school single-season record 36 TDs, was selected Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year. Wide receiver Brent Leonard set the ULM single-season record with 104 receptions for 1,118 yards and 10 scores. Leonard ranked sixth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in receptions, averaging 8.0 per game.
 
Center Josh Allen and right guard Jonathon Gill, who each earned All-Sun Belt Second-Team honors, anchored an offensive line that helped ULM average 432.8 total yards and 33.9 points per game.
 
Defensively, the Warhawks were led by a pair of All-Sun Belt Second-Team selections, in linebacker R.J. Young, who led the team in tackles with 94 including 11 for losses, and safety Isaiah Newsome, who contributed 57 tackles, four interceptions and five pass break-ups.
 
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 sixth among NCAA FBS winningest active head coaches with 180 career victories, trailing only Alabama's Nick Saban (272), North Carolina's Mack Brown (268), LSU's Brian Kelly (265), Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (192) and Tulane's Willie Fritz (188).  
 
BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY – 
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (180) and Tommy (90), have combined for 647 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 FIVE 2021 BOWL SQUADS IN 2022 –
ULM is scheduled to play five teams which played in a bowl game in the 2021 season this fall. Alabama (13-2, College Football Playoff), Ragin' Cajuns (13-1, New Orleans), Coastal Carolina (11-2, Cure), Army (9-4, Armed Forces) and Georgia State (8-5, Camellia) all played in bowl games. Nicholls also finished above .500 (6-5).
 
NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders:
 
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Completion Percentage: Chandler Rogers (25th at 69.2%)
Interceptions Per Game: Tristan Driggers (first at 1.0), Duece Mayberry (46th at 0.3)
Total Interceptions: Tristan Driggers (second at 3), Duece Mayberry (39th at 1)
Punting: Devyn McCormick (38th at 43.2)
 
WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under second-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021-current: 15 games):
 
2022 / OVERALL
Games played in Malone Stadium: 1-0 / 5-2
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-2 / 0-8
 
Games played in August: 0-0 / 0-0
Games played in September: 1-2 / 3-3
Games played in October: 0-0 / 2-3
Games played in November: 0-0 / 0-4
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-0
 
When leading at halftime: 1-0 / 2-0
When trailing at halftime: 0-2 / 3-10
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 0-0
 
When scoring first: 0-0 / 3-2
When opponent scores first: 1-2 / 2-8
 
When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 2-0
When trailing after first quarter: 1-2 / 1-9
When tied after first quarter: 0-0 / 2-1
 
When leading after three quarters: 1-0 / 4-1
When trailing after three quarters: 0-2 / 1-9
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 0-0
 
Overtime games: 0-0 / 0-0
 
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 1-0     / 3-3
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-2 / 1-7
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 / 1-0
 
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 0-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-1 / 1-4
 
When outrushing opponent: 1-0 / 4-2
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-2 / 1-8
 
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 1-0 / 3-2
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 1-2 / 5-9
 
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 1-0 / 2-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-2 / 3-10      
 
When leading in time of possession: 1-2 / 2-4
When trailing in time of possession: 0-0 / 3-6

 
           
 
 
 
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