ULM Warhawks

 
2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 6 vs. Texas State
 
Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 6 Preview vs. Texas State
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• ULM looks to regroup after last Saturday's 55-7 loss to South Alabama as the Warhawks visit San Marcos, Texas, to face off with Texas State at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Warhawks enter the game at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Sun Belt Conference, while the Bobcats are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the SBC after last Saturday's 34-30 loss at the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
• Saturday's game marks the 20th meeting between ULM and Texas State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 13-6, including a 6-3 record in San Marcos. ULM has won two of the last three meetings at Bobcat Stadium, but Texas State won the last meeting deep in the heart of Texas, 27-19, on Nov. 6, 2021. However, Texas State has won two of the last three meetings in the overall series, including a 38-17 win over ULM on Sept. 19, 2020, in Malone Stadium.
  Last season, ULM rallied from a 21-point first quarter deficit for a 31-30 win over Texas State on Nov. 5 at Malone Stadium. The Bobcats scored on their first three possessions of the game, using a fumble recovery and a long punt return to set up the second and third TDs. Led by quarterback Chandler Rogers and wide reciever Tyrone Howell, the Warhawk comeback started in the second quarter, outscoring Texas State 17-3 in the frame to get back within 24-17 at halftime. Seth Keller's 41-yard field goal pushed the lead back to 10 in the third quarter, but Howell caught an 18-yard TD pass from Rogers to pull ULM within three, 27-24, after three quarters. Keller added another field goal in the fourth quarter, but the Warhawks claimed the lead on running back Malik Jackson's 3-yard TD run and Calum Sutherland's extra point, 31-30, with 10:20 left. Texas State drove into field goal range on its final possession, but Keller missed a 38-yard field goal attempt for the win on the final play of the game as ULM held on for the 31-30 victory.
 
• ULM's 2023 roster features 21 players from the state of Texas, including one projected starter on offense and four on defense: left guard Elijah Fisher (Allen), bandit Ja'Terious Evans (Center), linebacker Michael Batton (Houston/Seven Lakes HS) and rover Austin Goffney (Cypress/Cy Ranch).
 
• The ULM offense generated just one explosive play (20 or more yards), a 44-yard run by quarterback Jiya Wright in the fourth quarter, last Saturday against South Alabama, one week after producing nine explosive plays against App State. The ground game produced three explosive runs for 77 yards against the Mountaineers, including a long gain of 32 yards by Isaiah Woullard, while the passing game delivered six big plays, which covered 188 yards including a pair of 45-yard completions by Wright, with one each to Dariyan Wiley and Bugs Mortimer. Those nine plays gained 265 yards (29.4 per play). Wiley (two receptions for 67 yards) and Mortimer (two for 65) each accounted for two explosive plays.
 
• ULM graduate quarterback Jiya Wright accounted for 165 yards of total offense and threw one touchdown pass to Tyrone Howell in last Saturday's 55-7 loss to South Alabama. He accounted for 342 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns (four passing and one rushing) in a 41-40 loss to App State on Sept. 30 in Malone Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Wright completed 18-of-27 throws for 268 yards, including TD strikes of 14, 3 and 8 yards to Howell and 22 yards to Dariyan Wiley against the Mountaineers. He also rushed 17 times for 74 yards and scored on a 1-yard sneak. Wright set career highs for pass completions, passing yards, TD passes, total offense and TDs responsible for against App State, and surpassed his career high in pass attempts against USA (28). The Warhawks scored TDs on four consecutive drives during one stretch against App State (not including a kneeldown to end the first half).
  Through five games, Wright has connected on 48-of-92 passes (.522) for 544 yards, five TDs and five interceptions. He also ranks third on the team in rushing with 46 carries for 196 yards (4.3 avg.) and one score.
 
• ULM ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 31 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing offense, averaging 192.0 yards per game. The Warhawks have topped 100 yards rushing as a team in all five games and recorded their third 200-yard rushing game of the season against App State, gaining 203 yards on 40 carries. ULM opened the 2023 campaign with back-to-back 200-yard rushing efforts against Army (32 attempts for 207) and Lamar (40 for 285). The Warhawks managed only one 200-yard game during the entire 2022 season (Week 4 in the Sun Belt Conference opener vs. the Ragin' Cajuns: 39 rushes for 227 yards).
 
• Running backs Hunter Smith and Isaiah Woullard have combined to rush for 536 yards and three touchdowns through the first five games. Smith (38 carries for 277 yards and two TDs) and Woullard (43 for 259 and one score) have accounted for 56 percent of ULM's production on the ground (960 yards). The duo combined for 214 of the team's 285 rushing yards against Lamar.
  The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards, rushing TDs, yards per carry (7.3 avg.) and gains of 15 or more yards (6). He has gained 125 of his 277 yards after contact (45 percent), including no negative plays, and has produced 11 first downs. Smith opened with season with consecutive 100-yard games in wins over Army (seven rushes for 103 yards, including a 62-yard TD run in the fourth quarter) and Lamar (13 for 101, including a 27-yard TD run to open the scoring).
  The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 74 percent of his rushing yards after contact (190 of 259) while forcing nine missed tackles. He scored his first rushing TD as a Warhawk on a 7-yard burst up the middle in the first quarter against App State. Woullard posted his second career 100-yard rushing game against Lamar, finishing with a team-leading 113 yards on 14 attempts. It marked his first since 100-yard performance since 2018 as a true freshman at Ole Miss (107 at Vanderbilt).
 
• Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (27), receiving yards (275) and touchdown catches (five). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second, 20th in NCAA FBS) and receptions per game (seventh at 5.4 per game). His 89 receiving yards after catch and 14 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in four of the first five games.
  A graduate student, Howell caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown last Saturday against South Alabama. He hauled in eight passes for 62 yards against App State and matched his career high with three TD receptions, including scoring plays of 14, 3 and 8 yards from Jiya Wright. He had nine receptions for 67 yards against Army in the season opener, including his one-handed, game-winning 9-yard grab from Hunter Herring with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter.
 
• The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference and rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in both turnover margin (11th at +1.00 per game) and takeaways (16th with 11, including six interceptions and five fumble recoveries). With 11 takeaways in five games, the ULM defense already has surpassed its 2022 12-game total of eight (six interceptions and two fumble recoveries). By contrast in 2022, ULM finished 130th in takeaways and 114th in turnover margin (-0.58 pg.) in the NCAA FBS.
  The Warhawks have recorded multiple takeaways in three of their four home games (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
  Free safety AJ Watts and outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans are tied for second in the Sun Belt with two interceptions each. Watts also is second in the league in passes defended with six (four pass break-ups and two INTs).
 
• Junior middle linebacker Michael Batton leads the team with 44 tackles (13 solos, 31 assists) and ranks fifth in the Sun Belt, averaging 8.8 tackles per game. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Batton recorded double digit tackles for the second time this season, finishing with a team-high 10 stops (2 solos, 8 assists) against App State. He also collected 10 tackles against Lamar. Batton has produced double-figure stops in four of his last eight games, dating back to Nov. 12, 2022, at Georgia State (career-best 16 tackles). 
 
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 4 graduates, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores
ULM Defense: 2 graduates, 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores
TXST Offense: 2 seniors, 4 juniors, 5 sophomores
TXST Defense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores
 
2023 STAT LEADERS –
ULM (5 games):
Rushing – Hunter Smith (38 carries for 277 yards, 7.3 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Jiya Wright (48 of 92, 52%, for 544 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving – Tyrone Howell (27 catches for 275 yards, 10.2 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles – Michael Batton (44 tackles, 13 solos, 31 assists, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 QBH)
 
Texas State (6 games):
Rushing – Ismail Mahdi (84 carries for 676 yards, 8.0 avg., 8 TDs)
Passing – TJ Finley (129 of 176, 73%, for 1,719 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Joey Hobert (38 catches for 502 yards, 13.2 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles – Brian Holloway (46 tackles, 25 solos, 21 assists, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 INT, 8 QBH, 1 FR, 2 FF)
 
ULM/TEXAS STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 20th meeting between ULM and Texas State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 13-6, including a 6-3 record in San Marcos. ULM has won two of the last three meetings at Bobcat Stadium, but Texas State won the last meeting deep in the heart of Texas, 27-19, on Nov. 6, 2021. However, Texas State has won two of the last three meetings in the overall series, including a 38-17 win over ULM on Sept. 19, 2020, in Malone Stadium.
 
Last season, ULM rallied from a 21-point first quarter deficit for a 31-30 win over Texas State on Nov. 5 at Malone Stadium. The Bobcats scored on their first three possessions of the game, using a fumble recovery and a long punt return to set up the second and third TDs. Led by quarterback Chandler Rogers and wide reciever Tyrone Howell, the Warhawk comeback started in the second quarter, outscoring Texas State 17-3 in the frame to get back within 24-17 at halftime. Seth Keller's 41-yard field goal pushed the lead back to 10 in the third quarter, but Howell caught an 18-yard TD pass from Rogers to pull ULM within three, 27-24, after three quarters. Keller added another field goal in the fourth quarter, but the Warhawks claimed the lead on running back Malik Jackson's 3-yard TD run and Calum Sutherland's extra point, 31-30, with 10:20 left. Texas State drove into field goal range on its final possession, but Keller missed a 38-yard field goal attempt for the win on the final play of the game as ULM held on for the 31-30 victory.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 31, Texas State 30 (Nov. 5, 2022, in Monroe, La.): ULM's outlook for success looked bleak Saturday afternoon as Texas State stacked up a three-touchdown lead 10 minutes into the game.
 
The Warhawks would rally back to take a one-point lead. But with 1:30 left in the contest and ULM trying to run out the clock, quarterback Chandler Rogers fumbled at the ULM 39 where Texas State recovered.
 
But six plays later, after the Warhawks called a timeout, Seth Keller missed a 38-yard field goal wide right and ULM escaped with a wild comeback 31-30 win at Malone Stadium.
 
ULM (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt) overcame three lost fumbles and an interception, thanks to game-breaking receiver Tyrone Howell erupting for a career-high 12 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way.
 
Gashed early, the defense made two big stops in the final minutes prior to the fumble to help preserve the win. On third-and-5, Quincy Ledet Jr. and Fitzroy Gardner sacked quarterback Layne Hatcher at the ULM 39. Then on fourth-and-8, Hatcher fired incomplete under pressure from Gardner and Jackson Bailey.
 
Rogers completed 28-of-40 passes for 310 yards and two scores, his third career game over 300 yards and second this season.
 
Howell, who made nine catches for 244 yards against South Alabama, continues to emerge as ULM's most dangerous playmaker. His production was pivotal in helping the Warhawks overcome the early stumbles and miscues later.
 
It took every yard and every second of the game to reach the winning outcome. A nightmarish first quarter saw ULM stagger into a 21-0 hole.
 
Texas State (3-6, 1-4 Sun Belt) claimed the early 7-0 lead with a swift nine-play, 75-yard march on the game's opening drive. Hatcher's 8-yard touchdown pass to Javen Banks put Texas State ahead with 11:12 to play in the first quarter.
 
ULM's first offensive series ended on a lost fumble by Bugs Mortimer, recovered by Texas State at its own 38. Facing little resistance in a seven-play, 62-yard drive, the Bobcats cut through ULM's defense again for another score to go ahead 14-0 on a second touchdown pass from Hatcher to Banks.
 
ULM's rocky start continued as a 58-yard punt return by Ashtyn Hawkins set up Texas State at the Warhawk 4 with 5:07 to go in the first quarter. Two plays later, Lincoln Pare punched in a 3-yard touchdown run and the Bobcats led 21-0 with 4:27 showing in the first quarter.
 
Down three touchdowns, ULM finally answered the bell with a much-needed offensive response. The Warhawks drove to the Texas State 3 and faced fourth-and-goal on the first play of the second quarter. Going to the bag of tricks for a little razzle dazzle, Rogers tossed the ball to Andrew Henry, who handed off to Will Derrick on a reverse, then Derrick threw a touchdown pass to Rogers. ULM drove 75 yards in 11 plays for the score.
 
After the defense forced Texas State to punt for the first time in the contest, the Warhawks drove 69 yards in nine plays to collect a 31-yard field goal by Calum Sutherland, narrowing the gap to 21-10 with 8:19 to go before the half.
 
Texas State extended its lead back to 24-10 as Keller booted a 35-yard field goal to wrap a seven-play, 57-yard drive with 4:30.
 
A sequence of positive plays sent ULM to the locker room riding high.
 
The defense forced a three-and-out as cornerback David Godsey's tackle on third-and-2 forced Texas State to punt with 45 seconds left in the second quarter. Given their shot, the offense delivered a quick three-play, 58-yard scoring drive as Rogers connected with Howell for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Howell broke four tackles during a rugged run that cut the deficit to 24-17 at the break.
 
ULM gained 230 yards on 39 plays in the first half while allowing Texas State 240 yards on 36 plays. Sacked three times, Rogers completed 16-of-24 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. The Warhawks were limited to 15 yards rushing on 14 attempts.
 
The Warhawks received the ball to start the third quarter with a chance to tie but squandered the opportunity as Rogers threw an interception on the second play of the half.
 
After the takeaway, Texas State took over at ULM's 24 and added a Keller 41-yard field goal to go up 27-17 with 12:49 left in the third.
 
Self-destructive ways continued on the ensuing kickoff return as Alred Luke fumbled and Texas State recovered at the ULM 36.  However, ULM's defense hung tough and stopped the Bobcats on fourth-and-1 as Zack Woodard stuffed Pare for no gain at the 27. Texas State managed just three points off the two turnovers.
 
This time around, ULM's offense was able to capitalize with a 13-play, 73-yard scoring drive. Howell caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Rogers with 6:25 to go in the third and ULM trailed 27-24. Howell made four catches for 36 yards on the drive and made a nifty reverse spin move to cross into the end zone for his second touchdown.
 
Keller's 39-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter extended Texas State's lead to 30-24 after a 13-play, 48-yard drive. A shoestring tackle by ULM's Bailey on third-and-10 forced Texas State to settle for the field goal.
 
Ten plays and 80 yards later, Malik Jackson pushed his way into the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run and ULM had its first lead at 31-20 with 10:20 to go into the game. Howell made two catches for 47 total yards on the drive as he continued to dominate Texas State.
 
THE LAST MEETING AT BOBCAT STADIUM –
Texas State 27, ULM 19 (Nov. 6, 2021 in San Marcos, Texas): ULM walked a tightrope Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in a game that started off as an offensive shootout and turned into a defensive struggle.
 
In the end, the Warhawks came up short in a 27-19 loss that featured too many missed opportunities for ULM.
 
Down by eight, ULM possessed the ball inside the final minute but saw the last drive end at the Warhawks' 44 on fourth down with 17 seconds remaining.
 
Chandler Rogers completed 28-of-43 passes and 262 yards and ULM (4-5, 2-4 Sun Belt) gained 432 yards overall. However, the Warhawks were held to a single field goal in the second half as the game's fast pace slowed significantly.
 
ULM was 2-for-5 on fourth-down conversions and could never seem to come up with the game-changing play against Texas State (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt).
 
The Warhawks also came up short in the kicking game, with a missed PAT, one missed field goal and a missed field goal opportunity as time ran out at the end of the first half without getting off a kick.
 
Tyler Vitt, not injured starter Brady McBride, opened for Texas State and the Bobcats took a 3-0 lead on Seth Keller's 42-yard field goal with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter. The Bobcats drove 73 yards in 11 plays on a series that started on their own 2-yard line.
 
Andrew Henry scored on a 1-yard run to put ULM on top 6-3 with 2:58 left in the first quarter but Calum Sutherland hit the upright on his extra point try. ULM's drive covered 75 yards in 11 plays.
 
Vitt tossed a 49-yard touchdown pass to Javen Banks with 1:11 remaining in the first quarter, wrapping a five-play, 75-yard drive that reclaimed the lead at 10-6 for the Bobcats.
 
Sutherland's 52-yard field goal with 10:04 left before halftime narrowed the Bobcats' margin to 10-9 after a 12-play, 40-yard drive.
The Bobcats led 17-9 with 5:58 remaining in the second quarter after Caleb Twyford's 1-yard touchdown run punctuated a nine-play, 75-yard drive.
 
ULM faced fourth-and-1 from the Texas State 10 with 2:08 showing before the break and elected to go for it. With Abraham Alce in the backfield, Rogers faked the handoff and darted left to score the touchdown, his first on the ground this season. Jared Sparks made a 43-yard reception, his season long, on third-and-10 from the ULM 25 to keep the chains moving on the nine-play, 75-yard drive that cut the score to 17-16.
 
Texas State extended its lead to 20-16 as Keller stroked a 43-yard field goal with 54 seconds left in the second quarter. The Bobcats moved into scoring position with a quick nine-play, 49-yard drive.
 
Down four with less than a minute to go, ULM drove to the Texas State 29 before time ran out. Will Derrick made a 25-yard reception on the series that saw him race across the field to get out of bounds after the catch. But Jevin Frett couldn't get out of bounds after a 7-yard catch to the 29 and time expired before Rogers could clock it.
 
The Bobcats piled up 308 yards in the first half while ULM gained 274. Vitt was 12-for-21 passing for 210 yards and Texas State averaged 17.5 yards per completion with passes covering 49, 42, 30 and 24 yards.
 
ULM received the second-half kickoff and drove 47 yards in 13 plays to collect Sutherland's 45-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 20-19 at the 10:13 mark of the third quarter.
 
The Warhawks stiffened on defense, forcing two punts on two Texas State series in a fast-paced third quarter.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, Sutherland was wide right on a 51-yard field-goal attempt with 12:22 to go. But ULM's defense held the rope and forced a third-straight Texas State punt.
 
After the Warhawks went three-and-out on their next offensive series, Texas State answered with a punt of its own as ULM linebacker Zack Woodard made a strong open-field tackle on third down.
After trading punts, the two teams then traded fourth-down defensive stops.
 
With 7:31 left in the game, ULM went for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 37 and Texas State stuffed Rogers for no gain. Taking over after their defensive stop, the Bobcats also faced fourth-and 2 at the ULM 5, but Quae Drake and Myles Cole stuffed Jahmyl Jeter a yard short.
 
After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Bobcats, ULM's drive began at the 19 with 4:39 left in the game. On fourth-and-10 from the ULM 40, Rogers was unable to connect with Dariyan Wiley past midfield.
 
After the fourth-down stop, Texas State got it back with 2:42 remaining and ULM holding three timeouts. Jeter picked up a big first down on a third-and-3 run and then ran in uncontested from 26 yards out with 1:43 left in the game for a 27-19 lead.
 
Allowing Texas State to score gave ULM one final chance to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion. After starting at the 25, the Warhawks converted a fourth-and-5 to the ULM 38 with 56 seconds to go before a fourth-and-4 pass was broken up with 17 seconds to go.
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE LONESTAR STATE –
ULM's 2023 roster features 21 players from the state of Texas, including one projected starter on offense and four on defense: left guard Elijah Fisher (Allen), bandit Ja'Terious Evans (Center), linebacker Michael Batton (Houston/Seven Lakes HS) and rover Austin Goffney (Cypress/Cy Ranch).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT  –
South Alabama 55, ULM 7 (Oct. 7, 2023, in Monroe, La.): South Alabama dominated ULM from start to finish Saturday night to claim a 55-7 win at Malone Stadium.
 
The Jaguars, who had never won a game at ULM in four previous tries, left nothing to chance on this visit. South Alabama pounced on the home team early and ULM never recovered.
 
A week ago, ULM lost a heartbreaker as Appalachian State won on a walk-off field goal. There was no such drama on this night.
 
ULM (2-3, 0-2 Sun Belt) sputtered on offense and struggled to slow down a balanced South Alabama attack. The Jaguars (3-3, 1-1 Sun Belt) gained 589 yards of total offense, with 387 through the air and 202 on the ground.
 
The Warhawks managed just 250 yards and 13 first downs. Quarterback Jiya Wright completed 13-of-28 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. ULM's big-play running attack contributed 138 yards on 38 attempts    
 
South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley completed 20-of-29 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter with his team up 45-7. Receiver Caullin Lacy caught seven balls for 156 yards and a score while running back La'Damian Webb led the ground game with 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.  
 
The Jaguars took a 7-0 lead on the game's opening drive, finishing a 10-play, 75-yard drive with Kentrel Bullock's 5-yard touchdown run.
 
ULM's first series didn't go as well. Free safety Jaden Voisin intercepted Wright's second pass attempt while ULM receiver Tyrone Howell limped off the field with an injury sustained on the play. Howell later returned and finished with four catches for 41 yards.
 
Eight plays and 45 yards after the takeaway, South Alabama was in the end zone again as Bradford tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Crum, and the Jags led 14-0 with 6:29 left in the first quarter.
 
Diego Guajardo's 37-yard field goal with 13:55 showing in the second quarter extended South Alabama's lead to 17-0.
 
Bradley's 44-yard rainbow to Lacy for a touchdown with 9:57 to go before halftime put the Jags up 24-0. While scoring on their first four possessions, the Jaguars outgained ULM 219-13.
 
The rout was on when South Alabama running back Marco Lee Jr., battered his way into end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left in the second quarter. The Jaguars led 31-0 after finishing the seven-play, 76-yard march.  
 
ULM finally scored on the final play of the half, with Wright finding Howell on a 14-yard touchdown pass. ULM drove 75 yards in 11 plays to pull within 31-7.
 
South Alabama dominated the first half, scoring four touchdowns and a field goal on its first five offensive series. The Jaguars outgained ULM 295-134 through two quarters while collecting 15 first downs.
 
The second half brought ULM little relief.
 
The Jaguars widened the spread to 38-7 after Webb's 1-yard touchdown run with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter. South Alabama covered 58 yards in seven plays to score their fifth touchdown of the game.
 
Bradley third touchdown pass, a 30-yarder to Bullock, gave South Alabama a 45-7 lead with 1:23 in the third.
 
Guajardo's second field goal, a 46-yarder with 10:33 remaining in the game, came after the Jaguars intercepted Wright for the second time and gave USA a 48-7 lead.
 
South Alabama reserves Gio Lopez and Jeremiah Webb combined for a 3-yard touchdown pass for the final 55-7 margin, with Webb making a sliding catch in the end zone with 1:20 left in the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• Through five games, ULM continues to value the football. The Warhawks rank second in the Sun Belt Conference and rank 37th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with just six turnovers lost. As a result, ULM leads the league and ranks 11th nationally in turnover margin at +1.00 per game.
• In addition to valuing the football, ULM continues to play disciplined football. The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference in fewest penalties (21) and fewest penalty yards (192). In addition, ULM is listed among the NCAA FBS Top 25 in fewest penalties (ninth), fewest penalty yards (15th), fewest penalties per game (13th at 4.20 pg.) and fewest penalty yards per game (19th at 38.40 pg.).
 
SMITH, WOULLARD PROVIDE BIG PLAYS WITH RUSHING ATTACK –
Running backs Hunter Smith and Isaiah Woullard have combined to rush for 536 yards and three touchdowns through the first five games. Smith (38 carries for 277 yards and two TDs) and Woullard (43 for 259 and one score) have accounted for 56 percent of ULM's production on the ground (960 yards). The duo combined for 214 of the team's 285 rushing yards against Lamar.
 
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards, rushing TDs, yards per carry (7.3 avg.) and gains of 15 or more yards (6). He has gained 125 of his 277 yards after contact (45 percent), including no negative plays, and has produced 11 first downs. Smith opened with season with consecutive 100-yard games in wins over Army (seven rushes for 103 yards, including a 62-yard TD run in the fourth quarter) and Lamar (13 for 101, including a 27-yard TD run to open the scoring).
 
The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 74 percent of his rushing yards after contact (190 of 259) while forcing nine missed tackles. He scored his first rushing TD as a Warhawk on a 7-yard burst up the middle in the first quarter against App State. Woullard posted his second career 100-yard rushing game against Lamar, finishing with a team-leading 113 yards on 14 attempts. It marked his first since 100-yard performance since 2018 as a true freshman at Ole Miss (107 at Vanderbilt).
 
Woullard totaled 10 carries for 56 yards in the season opener against Army, including a critical 33-yard run in the fourth quarter that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown pass from Hunter Herring to Tyrone Howell.
 
ULM lost 87 percent of its ground production (1,258 of 1,448 rushing yards). Gone are the top three rushers from a year ago, who combined for 1,183 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
 
HOWELL AIMS TO BUILD OFF BREAKOUT 2022 CAMPAIGN –
Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (27), receiving yards (275) and touchdown catches (five). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (second, 20th in NCAA FBS) and receptions per game (seventh at 5.4 per game). His 89 receiving yards after catch and 14 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in four of the first five games.
 
A graduate student, Howell caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown last Saturday against South Alabama. He hauled in eight passes for 62 yards against App State and matched his career high with three TD receptions, including scoring plays of 14, 3 and 8 yards from Jiya Wright. He had nine receptions for 67 yards against Army in the season opener, including his one-handed, game-winning 9-yard grab from Hunter Herring with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter.
 
WARHAWK OFFENSIVE LINE LEADS WAY ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK MIDSEASON HONORS  –
The ULM offensive line was recognized as the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Line of the Year in the College Football Network's midseason SBC honors, presented this week. Right tackle Keydrell Lewis was named CFN's Midseason Offensive Lineman of the Year and earned First-Team All-SBC honors, while right guard Tellek Lockette and center Zarian McGill also earned First-Team honors.
 
Also on the offensive side of the ball, running back Hunter Smith and wide receiver Tyrone Howell earned honorable mention selections to the CFN midseason All-SBC team.
 
Defensively, safety A.J. Watts earned First-Team recognition, while defensive tackle Adin Huntington was named to the Second Team. On special teams, Carl Glass earned Second-Team recognition.
 
LEWIS EARNS WEEK ONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOR –
Junior right tackle Keydrell Lewis was named to the College Football Network National Team of the Week following his performance in the Sept. 2 season opening win over Army. Lewis graded out at 84% over 64 offensive snaps in the win. He was part of an offensive line that paved way for ULM to rush for 207 yards on 32 carries (6.5 yards per rush) against Army and 285 yards on 40 carries (7.1 yards per rush) last Saturday against Lamar.
 
FIVE WARHAWKS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSIVE LINE  –
ULM will rebuild its offensive line around three veterans, in right tackle Keydrell Lewis (25 career starts), center Zarian McGill (17) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (15), who have combined for 54 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (7) and right guard Tellek Lockette (8) also have starting experience.
 
The Warhawks added depth by going to the Mississippi junior college ranks in recruiting, bringing in left guard Jay Mickle, center Matt Williams and right guard Markell Smith. Mickle and Williams were teammates at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where Mickle was a Second-Team NJCAA Division I All-American in 2022 and Williams was honorable mention All-Conference as NWMCC ranked fourth in NJCAA with 2,096 rush yards. Williams made his first career start, filling in for Wilkins at left tackle, against South Alabama. Smith is a transfer from Jones College, where he was an NJCAA All-Region 23 selection in 2022.
 
Kyle Segler takes over as the offensive line coach in 2023, sliding over from his previous spot with the tight ends.
 
WARHAWK DEFENSE RANKS AMONG NCAA FBS LEADERS IN TAKEAWAYS –
ULM's newfound athleticism and speed on the defensive side of the ball has been on display in the first five weeks of the season.
 
The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference and rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in both turnover margin (11th at +1.00 per game) and takeaways (16th with 11, including six interceptions and five fumble recoveries). With 11 takeaways in five games, the ULM defense already has surpassed its 2022 12-game total of eight (six interceptions and two fumble recoveries). The Warhawks have recorded multiple takeaways in their first three home games (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
 
In the 24-14 win over Lamar on Sept. 9, ULM limited the Cardinals to 311 yards of total offense on 62 plays. Lamar rushed for 121 yards on 36 carries (3.4 yards per carry) and threw for 190 yards on 26 pass attempts (7.3 yards per attempt). The Warhawks registered seven tackles for loss for 34 yards and four sacks for 25 yards, led by defensive lineman James Smith's 3.5 tackles for loss for 20 yards and 2.5 sacks for 16 yards. Defensive lineman Adin Huntington tallied 14 tackles (2 solos, 12 assists) with one tackle for loss for 3 yards and half a sack for 4 yards. Defensive backs Austin Goffney and Max Harris recorded interceptions in the win.
 
In ULM's 17-13 win over Army on Sept. 2, the new-look Warhawk defense made a statement. ULM limited an opponent without an offensive touchdown for the first time since a 47-0 win over Nicholls in 2015. The Warhawks recorded five takeaways (three fumbles, two interceptions) in the contest after forcing just eight turnovers for the entire 2022 season. It was the highest single-game turnover total since picking up five takeaways against Nicholls in 2015. Ja'Terious Evans and AJ Watts came up with interceptions for ULM, Carl Glass, Norman Massey and Car'lin Vigers forced fumbles and Lu Tillery, Vigers and Jaylan Ware each recovered fumbles.
 
ULM limited Army to 2-of-8 on third-down conversions in the second half, including an 0-of-3 clip in the fourth quarter. The Black Knights went three-and-out on each of its last four possessions. In the fourth quarter, ULM's defense held Army without a first down, allowed 15 total yards on 14 plays and tallied three takeaways (two fumbles and one interception).
 
"BATMAN" FLIES INTO 2023 –
Junior middle linebacker Michael Batton leads the team with 44 tackles (13 solos, 31 assists) and ranks fifth in the Sun Belt, averaging 8.8 tackles per game. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Batton recorded nine tackles (2 solos, 7 assists) against South Alabama. He had double digit tackles for the second time this season, finishing with a team-high 10 stops (2 solos, 8 assists) against App State. He also collected 10 tackles against Lamar. Batton has produced double-figure stops in four of his last eight games, dating back to Nov. 12, 2022, at Georgia State (career-best 16 tackles).
 
Prior to ULM, Batton played quarterback at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. He was 6-3 in nine starts in 2021, 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.
 
HUNTINGTON TURNS INTO TACKLING MACHINE VS. LAMAR –
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington is fourth on the team with 25 tackles (6 solos, 19 assists) while adding one tackle for loss for 4 yards, half a sack for 3 yards, a pass break up and quarterback hurry.
 
Huntington recorded a career-best 14 tackles (2 solos, 12 assists), with one resulting in a loss (4 yards) including a half sack for 3 yards, as ULM improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2018 with a 24-14 win over Lamar on Sept. 9. For his effot, Huntington was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week. The Warhawk defense produced seven tackles for loss (34 yards), including four sacks (25 yards), and forced two turnovers (both interceptions).
 
Huntington, a junior transfer from Kent State, emerged from spring practice as the top candidate to replace two-year starter Caleb Thomas at defensive tackle. He was a preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth-Team selection by Phil Steele. His explosiveness and athleticism were on full display during ULM's summer conditioning program, posting personal bests of 665 pounds in the squat, 435 on the bench, 4.72 in the 40 as well as a 38-inch vertical jump. He recorded 45 tackles (24 solos, 21 assists) over the last three seasons at Kent State (22 career games), with eight resulting in losses (42 yards) including three sacks (27 yards).
 
SMITH MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN IN OPPONENTS' BACKFIELD –
Red-shirt freshman defensive lineman James Smith had his breakout game against Lamar on Sept. 9. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native had a career-high six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists), including 3.5 tackles for loss for 20 yards and 2.5 sacks for 16 yards, against the Cardinals. He entered the game with two tackles, including one sack for five yards, in five career games.
 
WARE DISRUPTIVE UP FRONT AGAINST ARMY –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware ranks third on the team with 26 tackles (7 solos, 19 assists) and has added 3.5 tackles for loss for 6 yards and one fumble recovery through the first five games of the season. The 6-foot-0, 285-pound Ware had four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) with half a tackle for loss for 1 yard against South Alabama. He made seven stops (1 solo, 6 assists) against App State, including a half tackle for loss.
 
He picked up nine tackles (3 solos, 6 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble in his first career start for ULM on Sept. 2 against Army. His fumble recovery in the first quarter ended Army's first trip into the Warhawk red zone.
 
Ware was rated among Mississippi's Top 50 JUCO prospects by 247Sports (No. 46) at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, in 2022. He was a three-time All-MACCC South First-Team selection and a two-time NJCAA All-Region 23 pick. His JUCO career totals included 86 tackles, with 19.5 for losses including 4.5 sacks. He ranked second on the Eagles in tackles (37: 14 solos, 23 assists) and tackles for loss (11.5 for 49 yards) as a third-year sophomore in 2022.
 
SNYDER EMERGES AS PLAYMAKER ON D-LINE IN 2022 – 
Defensive end Kenard Snyder, who led ULM in tackles for loss (10 for 22 yards) and ranked third overall in tackles with 61 (36 solos, 25 assists), was selected honorable mention Freshman All-American by College Football News in 2022. The 6-1, 257-pound Snyder averaged 6.3 tackles over the last eight games since entering the starting lineup. He received preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Lindy's (second team) and Phil Steel (fourth team).
 
Snyder has 23 tackles (3 solos and 20 assists) with 1.5 for losses through the first five games in 2023. He produced a season-high eight stops (1 solo, 7 assists), including a 3-yard sack, against App State. Snyder had five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) and a quarterback hurry against Army.
 
EVANS SHOWCASES REVAMPED WARHAWK DEFENSE –
Graduate student Ja'Terious Evans has been active early for ULM, ranking second on the team with 28 tackles (10 solos, 18 assists) with 3.0 tackles for loss for 6 yards and two interceptions through the first five games of the 2023 season.
 
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Evans had six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) last week against South Alabama. He made three solo stops and added an interception against App State. He totaled three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) at Texas A&M and tallied five assists, with half a tackle for loss for 2 yards against Lamar.
 
In his first career start for ULM at outside linebacker, Evans recorded a career-high 11 tackles (8 solos, 8 assists), including a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss (3 yards), and an interception as the Warhawks rallied from a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit for a 17-13 victory over Army in the 2023 season opener. His interception early in the second quarter set up Derek McCormick's 24-yard field goal for the game's first score. 
 
In the second half, the Warhawk defense limited Army to 2-of-8 on third down, including 0-of-3 in the decisive fourth quarter. The Black Knights went three-and-out on their last four possessions. ULM held Army without a first down in the fourth quarter, permitted 15 total yards on 14 plays and had three takeaways (two fumbles and an interception).
 
A graduate transfer from Stephen F. Austin, Evans recorded 110 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass break-ups in 41 career games for the Lumberjacks. He started all 11 games at cornerback in 2022 and ranked fourth on the team with a career-best 40 tackles (26 solos, 14 assists), with 3.5 resulting in losses (13 yards) including 1.5 sacks (10 yards). He recorded two interceptions (21 yards) and three pass break-ups. He also was credited with three quarterback hurries.
 
GLASS COMING UP BIG AT LINEBACKER –
Linebacker Carl Glass is fifth on the team with 24 tackles (10 solos, 14 assists) while adding 1.5 sacks for 9 yards, a quarterback hurry and leads the team with two forced fumbles in 2023.
 
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Glass contributed six stops (1 solo, 5 assists) against App State. He posted 1.5 sacks for 9 yards among his seven tackles (6 solos, 1 assist) at Texas A&M. Glass forced a fumble on his first sack of the day, but the Aggies recovered the football. He combined with Tristan Driggers for the second sack during the second half.
 
Glass, a Monroe native who played at Ouachita Parish High School, played his freshman season at Harding before transferring to ULM as a walk-on in 2022. He earned a scholarship during fall camp, and Coach Terry Bowden called Glass "the biggest surprise" during spring practice in 2022. He had 23 tackles (11 solos, 12 assists) while playing in all 12 games in 2022.
 
BIG PLAY VIGERS STRIKES AGAIN –
Car'lin Vigers continues to make big plays for ULM on defense and special teams. On Sept. 9 against Lamar, the senior defensive back had six tackles, all assists, and blocked a Cardinal punt in the second quarter, which was recovered by Tristan Driggers for a touchdown, extending ULM's lead to two scores.
 
He made one of the biggest plays of opening night when he forced and recovered the fumble by Army's Ay'juan Marshall at the Black Knight 45-yard line with 4:48 remaining, setting up ULM's go-ahead touchdown drive on Sept. 2. He had one tackle to go with his forced fumble and recovery.
 
He has played in all five games in 2023, racking up 23 tackles (12 solos, 11 assists) with one pass break up, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
 
Vigers, who started the last three games of the 2022 season at free safety, ranked eighth on the team in tackles with 39 (25 solos, 14 assists). The 6-2, 198-pound Vigers displayed a knack for delivering big plays when the game was on the line. He dropped Jamari Thrash 2 yards shy of a first down on a fourth-and-12 play in the closing seconds to secure ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State that ended a 19-game road losing streak and came up with a fourth-quarter interception in the Warhawks' 21-17 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns in the Sun Belt Conference opener. Vigers, who has transitioned back to his normal position of cornerback, was named to preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team by Pro Football Focus.
 
TILLERY RETURNS AT CORNER –
Cornerback Lu Tillery accounted for two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and recovered a fumble in the Sept. 2 season opener against Army. Tillery (44 total tackles: 29 solos, 15 assists) was sixth on the team in tackles in 2022. The 5-10, 180-pound Tillery contributed four sacks for 34 yards, with three of those coming in back-to-back road games at Georgia State (2 for 18 yards) and Troy (1 for 12).
 
HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore linebacker Max Harris has totaled 23 tackles (8 solos, 15 assists) over five games. The 5-foot-11, 221-pound linebacker recorded five stops (1 solo, 4 assists) last Saturday against South Alabama. He had five stops (1 solo, 4 assists) and forced a fumble against App State. His forced fumble, recovered by AJ Watts, helped set up ULM's first touchdown against the Mountaineers.
 
He posted his first interception at ULM in the 24-14 win over Lamar. Harris ranged back and took the ball out of the hands of Lamar tight end Ja'Corey Hyder at the ULM 39-yard line. His interception set up a touchdown drive to put the Warhawks up 21-0 in the second quarter. He added four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) against the Cardinals.
 
Harris opened the season with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists) against Army West Point.
 
A transfer from Incarnate Word, he appeared in nine games for UIW in 2022, picking up 26 tackles (16 solos, 10 assists) including 2.5 for losses (14 yards).
 
GOFFNEY HAS BIG GAME AGAINST FORMER TEAM –
Playing against his former team, graduate student Austin Goffney intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it 30 yards, off a fake field-goal attempt by Lamar in the first quarter, and recorded four tackles. Thanks to his interception, Goffney was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week. Goffney played for the Cardinals in 2021-22, and previously played at Abilene Christian.
 
Goffney has recorded 17 tackles (4 solos, 13 assists) over the first five contests in 2023.
 
He played two seasons at Lamar after transfering from Abilene Christian. Goffney recorded 47 total tackles (27 solos, 20 assists) in 23 career games for the Cardinals and Wildcats, including 2.5 for losses, two interceptions and two pass break-ups.
 
WATTS DISRUPTIVE IN PASSING GAME –
Senior AJ Watts ranks among the leaders in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended entering Saturday's contest at Texas State. Watts has six passes defended on the season, including two interceptions for 33 return yards, through the first five contests, which ranks him second in the Sun Belt Conference and 21st nationally at 1.2 passes defended per game. Watts came up with an interception in the season opener against Army and added another against App State. He also recovered a fumble against the Mountaineers, which was forced by Max Harris.
 
Watts sat out the 2022 season after transferring from Akron. He played in 27 games over three seasons for the Zips, totaling 94 tackles (68 solos, 26 assists) with 2.5 tackles for loss for 7 yards, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His brother, Antwone, is also a safety on the ULM football roster.
 
WARHAWKS ADD FOUR NEW ASSISTANT COACHES IN 2023 –
ULM's coaching staff features four new faces in 2023, including assistant head coach/running backs coach Broderick Fobbs, special teams coordinator Jason Rollins, defensive line coach Cody Grice and tight ends coach Davis Lewandowski. Both Fobbs (Grambling, 2014-21) and Rollins (Southern University, interim 2021) previously served as HBCU head coaches.
 
2023 ULM SCHEDULE FEATURES SIX HOME GAMES –
ULM's 12-game football schedule features six home games for the third time in the last five seasons (previously in 2019 and 2021). Overall, it marks just the sixth time that the Warhawks have played a six-game home schedule in Malone Stadium since joining the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A).
 
The Warhawks' 2023 opponents went a combined 74-76 (.493) last season, with six opponents posting .500 or better records, including two teams that posted double-digit win totals, in South Alabama (10-3) and Troy (12-2). In addition, six foes also participated in postseason bowl games a year ago, South Alabama (New Orleans Bowl), Georgia Southern (Camellia Bowl), Southern Miss (LendingTree Bowl), Troy (Cure Bowl), Ole Miss (Texas Bowl) and the Ragin' Cajuns (Independence Bowl).
 
A closer look at the schedule reveals that ULM will play four of its first five games in Malone Stadium before hitting the road for five of its last seven contests.
 
Terry Bowden says "November is for contenders," and ULM closes out the 2023 regular season by facing four consecutive bowl participants, in Southern Miss, Troy, Ole Miss and the Ragin' Cajuns. The Warhawks' November opponents produced a combined worksheet of 33-20 (.622) in 2022.
 
ELEVEN GRADUATES LISTED ON 2023 ULM FOOTBALL ROSTER –
Eleven members of the 2023 ULM football team already have earned their bachelor's degrees: snapper Trey Corley, outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans, linebacker Austin Goffney, wide receiver Tyrone Howell, wide receiver Jalen Jackson, tight end Garrett Kahmann, tight end Nolan Quinlan, running back Isaiah Woullard, offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins, wide receiver Dariyan Wiley and quarterback Jiya Wright.
 
BOWDEN CELEBRATES TEAM ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS –
The ULM football team completed the 2023 spring semester with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.881 – its highest total since at least 2015. 
 
In addition, 54 members of the Warhawk football team posted at least a 3.0 GPA during the spring semester, with 11 student-athletes featured on the President's List (3.9-4.0 semester GPA) and another 12 named to the Dean's List (3.5-3.89 semester GPA). Ten of the 23 student-athletes mentioned on the President's and Dean's Lists graduated from Ouachita Parish high schools. The ULM football team finished the spring semester with a combined 2.79 GPA, an improvement of +0.04 from the fall semester.
 
Seven football student-athletes participated in ULM's 2023 spring commencement ceremonies, including Tyrese Black (bachelor's degree in general studies), Seth Mason (bachelor's degree in secondary education & teaching), Garrett Kahmann (bachelor's degree in finance), Zack Martin (bachelor's degree in business administration), Sam Plants (bachelor's degree in computer information systems), Tralon Thomas (master's degree in business administration) and Jabari Johnson (master's degree in exercise science).
 
"Our student-athletes compete in a sport where success is defined by wins and losses," ULM head football coach Terry Bowden said. "These academic successes are wins too — wins in the playbook of life — and should be celebrated just like the triumphs on fall Saturdays. I congratulate our student-athletes, who have embraced the Warhawk Way and committed themselves to pursuing excellence in the classroom and the community just like they do on the practice field and in the stadium."
 
Bowden also acknowledged the work of Director of Student-Athlete Success Carmen Wright and her staff, especially senior athletic academic counselor Oliver Jackson and athletic academic counselor Karlin Walmsley.
 
"Carmen, OJ and Karlin deserve a great deal of credit for the performance of our student-athletes in the classroom," Bowden said. "Not all student-athletes learn in the same way and at the same pace, and our academic support staff does an incredible job of developing plans tailored to meet their individual needs. Our student-athletes are more than just student ID numbers to Carmen, OJ and Karlin. Our academic support staff is truly invested in each of our student-athletes, and I salute them for their commitment to encouraging our student-athletes to pursue excellence in the classroom. 
 
"A degree from ULM sets up our student-athletes for success long after their competitive careers are over. Our Warhawk Way motto is to develop 'first-class men and world-class leaders,' and as ULM President Dr. Ron Berry professes, we're all here to 'change lives on the bayou.'" 
 
In April, graduate linebacker Zack Woodard was named to the 2023 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. Woodard, who earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention after leading the team in tackles with 77 last season, received his Master in Business Administration from ULM in December 2022 while posting a 3.8 GPA as a graduate student. NFF Hampshire Honor Society members must be in their final year of eligibility, have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale) and be a starter or significant contributor throughout the 2022 season.
 
BOWDEN: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –  
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (185) and Tommy (90), have combined for 652 wins – the most by any family in NCAA Division I football history. With ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State on Nov. 12, 2022, the Bowden coaching family reached another milestone with 650 combined career victories. 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).