ULM Warhawks

 
2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 7 at Georgia Southern
 
Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 7 Preview at Georgia Southern
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• After suffering its second one-point loss of the season, ULM plays the second game of a two-game road swing at 2 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. CDT Saturday against Georgia Southern at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro. The Warhawks are coming off a 21-20 loss at Texas State last Saturday, after leading 20-9 with 8:57 remaining. The Eagles dropped their first Sun Belt Conference contest of the season at James Madison, 41-13, last Saturday. Saturday's game is Georgia Southern's homecoming contest.

• Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between ULM and Georgia Southern, with the Eagles having a 6-3 series lead (7-3 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated), including a 4-0 record (5-0 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated) at Paulson Stadium. It is ULM's first visit to Paulson Stadium since Nov. 16, 2019, a 51-29 victory for the Eagles. Georgia Southern won the last meeting between the two teams, 35-30, on Oct. 3, 2020, at Malone Stadium.

• It's been 23 years since ULM head football coach Terry Bowden coached a game against Georgia Southern or visited Statesboro, Georgia. Bowden faced the Eagles in three consecutive seasons, from 1988-90, while serving as the head coach at Samford. Bowden is 0-3 all-time against Georgia Southern, including a 31-24 loss in his last trip to Statesboro on Nov. 17, 1990.

• ULM's 2023 roster features seven players from the state of Georgia: wide receiver Jalen Jackson (Powder Springs/Hillgrove), right tackle Keydrell Lewis (Atlanta, Mallard Creek [N.C.], previously Dutchtown), linebacker Qway McCoy (Norman Park/Colquitt County), running back Brady Tillman (Newnan/East Coweta), safety AJ Watts (Columbus/Carver), safety Antwone Watts (Columbus/Carver) and wide receiver Dariyan Wiley (Atlanta/Douglas County).

• ULM graduate quarterback Jiya Wright accounted for 202 yards of total offense and threw one touchdown pass to Isaiah Woullard in last Saturday's 21-20 loss at Texas State. He had a hand in all three of ULM's explosive plays (20 yards or more) from scrimmage. He threw a 41-yard pass on a reverse flea flicker to tight end Nolan Quinlan in the second quarter. He added a 20-yard rush and a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Tyrone Howell in the opening drive of the third quarter. However, the two drives that featured the three total explosive plays led to zero points for ULM.

  Through six games, Wright has connected on 62-of-114 passes (.544) for 694 yards, six TDs and five interceptions. He leads the team with 59 rushes and ranks third on the team with 248 yards (4.2 yards per carry) while adding one rushing TD.

• Running backs Hunter Smith and Isaiah Woullard have combined to rush for 613 yards and three touchdowns through the first six games. Woullard (57 carries for 314 yards and one TD) and Smith (45 carries for 299 yards and two TDs) have accounted for 56 percent of ULM's production on the ground (1095 yards).

  The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 73 percent of his rushing yards after contact (228 of 314) while forcing nine missed tackles. He has picked up 13 first downs on the ground. 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).

   The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards per carry (6.6) after rushing for 299 yards on 45 carries. He leads the team with two rushing TDs and gains of 15 or more yards (6). He has gained 138 of his 299 yards after contact (46 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).

• Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (29), receiving yards (313) and touchdown catches (five). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (third, 26th in NCAA FBS) and receptions per game (seventh at 4.8 per game). His 91 receiving yards after catch and 16 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in four of the first six games.

  A graduate student, Howell caught two passes for 38 yards, both for first downs, last Saturday at Texas State. He caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown on Oct. 7 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 (20th with 12, including seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries). With 12 takeaways in six 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).

• Outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans and safety AJ Watts have been the biggest ball hawks for ULM in the first half of the 2023 season.

  Evans is tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead in interceptions with Coastal Carolina's Clayton Isbell with three each. The pair are part of a tie for 12th in NCAA FBS in total interceptions. Evans' third interception of the season resulted in a 76-yard return for a touchdown last Saturday against Texas State, putting ULM on top 20-9 with 8:57 to play. It was the first pick six for ULM since Quae Drake's interception return for TD at Georgia State on Nov. 12, 2022. It capped a 14-play drive for Texas State. Evans also has recorded interceptions against App State and Army. He also ranks second on the team in tackles with 36 (15 solos, 21 assists) and has three tackles for loss for six yards.

  Watts has seven passes defended this season, including five pass break ups and two interceptions. He is tied with Georgia Southern's Shemar Bartholomew for the SBC lead in passes defended per game at 1.2 per game. Watts' two interceptions, coming against App State and Army, is tied for third-most in the SBC and 43rd in NCAA FBS.

• Junior middle linebacker Michael Batton leads the team with 50 tackles (16 solos, 34 assists) and ranks seventh in the Sun Belt and 43rd in NCAA FBS, averaging 8.3 tackles per game. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Batton recorded double digit tackles twice this season, finishing with a team-high 10 stops (2 solos, 8 assists) against App State and also collected 10 tackles against Lamar. Batton has produced double-figure stops in four of his last nine games, dating back to Nov. 12, 2022, at Georgia State (career-best 16 tackles). 
 
2023 STAT LEADERS –
ULM (6 games):
Rushing – Isaiah Woullard (57 carries for 314 yards, 5.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Jiya Wright (62 of 114, 54%, for 694 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving – Tyrone Howell (29 catches for 313 yards, 10.8 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles – Michael Batton (50 tackles, 16 solos, 34 assists, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 QBH)
 
Georgia Southern (6 games):
Rushing – Jalen White (55 carries for 311 yards, 5.7 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing – Davis Brin (197 of 289, 68%, for 1,882 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs)
Receiving – Khaleb Hood (49 catches for 492 yards, 10.0 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Marques Watson-Trent (56 tackles, 28 solos, 28 assists, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sack, 1 INT)
 
ULM/GEORGIA SOUTHERN SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between ULM and Georgia Southern, with the Eagles having a 6-3 series lead (7-3 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated), including a 4-0 record (5-0 on-the-field record; 2014 win vacated) at Paulson Stadium. It is ULM's first visit to Paulson Stadium since Nov. 16, 2019, a 51-29 victory for the Eagles. Georgia Southern won the last meeting between the two teams, 35-30, on Oct. 3, 2020, at Malone Stadium.

THE LAST MEETING –
Georgia Southern 35, ULM 30 (Oct. 3, 2020, in Monroe, La.): ULM came a long way back only to fall inches short Saturday night at Malone Stadium. As time expired, quarterback Colby Suits was stopped short on a first-and-goal scramble from the 9 and the Warhawks dropped a 35-30 decision to Georgia Southern.
 
The game appeared headed for a blowout in the third quarter when Georgia Southern blocked a punt and scored a touchdown to take an 18-point lead. But the Warhawks got two big stops from the defense and scored on two consecutive possessions to rally. Before his final run, Suits converted a fourth-and-6 with 23 seconds with a scramble out of bounds down to the 9. Suits met two defenders on the last play at the 2-yard line and stretched toward the goal but was ruled down as the clock hit 0:00. After a lengthy review, the call stood and the Warhawks fell to 0-4, 0-2 in the Sun Belt.
 
Suits completed 31-of-54 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover and led ULM with 51 rushing yards on seven carries. ULM outgained Georgia Southern 426 to 369 and finished 5-of-5 on fourth-down conversions. Josh Johnson rushed for 40 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns and had five catches for 25 yards and another score.
Georgia Southern running back J.D. King was a royal pain for ULM for most of the game as he battered the Warhawks for 196 rushing yards and a touchdown. Georgia Southern (2-1, 1-1 Sun Belt) rode its triple option attack to 340 rushing yards overall while also benefitting from a shaky performance by ULM special teams. In addition to difficulties stopping the Eagles' ground game, ULM had two punts blocked, with one recovered for a touchdown and missed a PAT.
 
Despite their troubles, the Warhawks made it interesting late by cutting the lead to five with less than five minutes left in the game. ULM's defense stiffened in the fourth quarter, using a big sack by Ivin White Jr. to force Georgia Southern's second punt and give the Warhawks a chance to make noise on offense. ULM capitalized with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Johnson smashing into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, his second on the ground and third of the game. ULM trailed 35-30 with 4:59 remaining. White came up big again with KeyShawn Johnson on a third-down tackle that forced a Georgia Southern punt with 2:42 to go.
The Warhawks started their final drive at their own 27 and crossed midfield on a 22-yard pass to Jevin Frett. Suits was hit as he threw incomplete to Chandler Whitfield in the end zone on third-and-6 from the 16, prior to converting on fourth down. ULM moved 72 yards in 13 plays before Suits gained 8 yards on his last run.
 
ULM, which hasn't led in a game this season, was playing from behind from the start. The Eagles needed three King carries to cover 68 yards and score on their opening drive. King's 62-yard run set up his 3-yard touchdown as Georgia Southern went up 7-0 with 11:25 to go in the first quarter. A sequence of special teams plays, one bad and one good, set up ULM's first score.
 
After another quick defensive stop on ULM's second series, the Eagles partially blocked Daniel Sparks' punt and took over at the 50. But ULM's defense hung tough, then the Warhawks sniffed out and stuffed a fake punt to take over at their own 43. ULM converted a fourth-and-7 with a 22-yard Josh Pederson catch to keep the nine-play, 40-yard drive alive. Davis Hughes booted a 34-yard field goal with 3:21 left in the opening period for a 7-3 score.
 
Early in the second quarter, King converted on third-and-8 with a 41-yard run and topped 100 yards on just his fourth carry of the game. Wesley Kennedy's 4-yard touchdown run capped Georgia Southern's second scoring march and extended the lead to 14-3 with 12:47 to go.
 
Johnson dodged a defender and scored his first touchdown of the season with a nifty 26-yard run at the 10:04 mark and pulled ULM within 14-10. Johnson also contributed a 14-yard rush and Suits was 3-for-3 for 34 yards on the six-play, 72-yard drive. Georgia Southern chewed up most of the remaining second quarter with a 75-yard, 15-play drive that consumed 8:27 off the clock. Kennedy's 5-yard rushing touchdown put the Eagles ahead 21-10 with 1:37 left before the half.
 
That was enough time for the Warhawks to collect points and pick up steam before the break. Suits had ULM on the 2-yard line with three seconds to go, where the Warhawks went for the touchdown instead of the kick. Suits, who completed 4-of-4 passes for 50 yards, hit Malik Jackson as time expired for a 21-17 halftime score.
 
The Eagles came out of the locker room with another strong offensive series to crank up the third quarter. Georgia Southern extended its lead to 28-17 on Logan Wright's 17-yard touchdown run, ending a nine-play, 75-yard drive.
NaJee Thompson's second blocked punt against ULM turned into a quick Georgia Southern touchdown with 5:30 left. After a three-and-out series stalled at the ULM 18, Thompson batted down Sparks' punt and Rashad Byrd recovered in the end zone for a 35-17 advantage.
 
ULM's offense finally found a spark again on the next trip out while converting two fourth downs on the way to the end zone. Suits found tight end Tyler Lamm on a career-long 28-yard reception on fourth-and-2 from the ULM 45, then converted fourth-and-4 with a 6-yard pass to Malik Jackson before connecting with Johnson for a 2-yard touchdown reception, the first of the running back's career. The missed PAT by Hughes left ULM trailing 35-23 with 29 seconds to burn in the third with a pivotal fourth quarter to come.
 
THE LAST MEETING AT PAULSON STADIUM –
Georgia Southern 51, ULM 29 (Nov. 16, 2019, in Statesboro, Ga.): ULM couldn't get its act together on Saturday against Georgia Southern. The Eagles scored 21 points off turnovers and never trailed in a 51-29 win over ULM on a damp, chilly day at Paulson Stadium.
 
ULM actually outgained Georgia Southern, 370-325, but couldn't overcome the self-inflicted wounds. The Warhawks were a woeful 2-for-13 on third down and punted six times. Senior quarterback Caleb Evans passed for 285 yards and two scores but was also intercepted twice. ULM's 1,000-yard runner Josh Johnson was limited to 43 yards on 12 carries.
 
Georgia Southern (6-4, 4-2) became bowl eligible with the win while ULM fell to 4-6, 3-3 in the Sun Belt. A wobbly first half found ULM trailing by three touchdowns through two quarters. Georgia Southern's Rashad Byrd picked off Evans' second pass and the Eagles quickly converted the turnover into points. Byrd returned his interception 34 yards to the ULM 21, and quarterback Shai Werts scored on an 11-yard three plays later for a 7-0 lead. ULM's offense shook off the miscue and responded with a nice drive.
 
Austin Vaughn powered in a 3-yard touchdown run to cap a 13-play, 75-yard march that tied the score at 7-7. Throw out the scoring drive, though, and it was a lethargic first half for ULM's offense. The Warhawks had three three-and-outs with four punts and the turnover to show for their seven possessions.
 
Tyler Bass kicked a 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter to put the Eagles up 10-7. Georgia Southern started the seven-play drive at the ULM 43 after a short punt. The Eagles needed six plays to cover 73 yards and Werts returned the end zone on a 24-yard run as Georgia Southern's lead grew to 17-7. Georgia Southern finished the half against ULM's tiring defense with a nine-play, 88-yard drive and extended its lead to 24-7 as Darion Anderson snared a 33-yard pass from Werts with 37 seconds remaining.
 
The Eagles outgained ULM in first-half yardage, 235-132, and held a 13-5 edge in first downs. Evans had just five completions until a 49-yard connection with Perry Carter Jr. on the second series of the second half. Johnson also had a 13-yard catch on fourth-and 6, and Carter's catch was the field-flipper in ULM's eight-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run from Evans. ULM trailed 24-14 with 6:41 left in the third quarter.
 
But ULM lost traction quickly. Another turnover, this time on special teams, led to another Georgia Southern touchdown. Anthony Beck II's 51-yard punt was muffed by Carter and recovered at the ULM 6-yard line. A 6-yard touchdown run from J.D. King with 25 seconds left in the third quarter put the Eagles up 31-14.
 
The spiral continued as Evans threw a pick-six to Donald Rutledge Jr., who rumbled 42 yards to hand ULM a 38-14 deficit. Markis McCray's 1-yard touchdown grab from Evans and Josh Pederson's catch for a two-point conversion made it 38-22 with 12:15 left in the game.
 
Georgia Southern salted away its win with a fourth-quarter drive that included three ULM personal fouls and exceeded nine minutes, adding the exclamation point on Wesley Kennedy III's 1-yard touchdown run to go up 44-22 with 2:48 remaining.
 
Pederson grabbed his eighth touchdown pass of the year on a 16-yard pass from Evans with 20 seconds remaining. Georgia Southern's Monquavion Brinson fielded the ensuing onside kick and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE PEACH STATE –
ULM's 2023 roster features seven players from the state of Georgia: wide receiver Jalen Jackson (Powder Springs/Hillgrove), right tackle Keydrell Lewis (Atlanta, Mallard Creek [N.C.], previously Dutchtown), linebacker Qway McCoy (Norman Park/Colquitt County), running back Brady Tillman (Newnan/East Coweta), safety AJ Watts (Columbus/Carver), safety Antwone Watts (Columbus/Carver) and wide receiver Dariyan Wiley (Atlanta/Douglas County).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT  –
Texas State 21, ULM 20 (Oct. 14, 2023, in San Marcos, Texas): Texas State overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit Saturday night to squeeze past ULM, 21-20, at rowdy Bobcat Stadium.
 
Facing a team that came in averaging 41.2 points and 497.8 yards per game, the Warhawks (2-4, 0-3 Sun Belt) kept Texas State out of the end zone until late in the game. But two late Bobcat scores and a final ULM drive that fell just short extended the Warhawks' losing streak to four games.
 
Clinging to a five-point lead, ULM's defense needed one last stand to close out the potential victory. After the Warhawks went three-and-out and punted, Texas State took over at the ULM 24 with 3:15 left in the game.
 
With 41 seconds remaining, quarterback T.J. Finley found receiver Joey Hobert for a 22-yard touchdown, completing an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The 2-point pass attempt was incomplete but Texas State (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) led by one.
 
ULM's offense, starting at its own 25, had 41 seconds to move the ball into field-goal range. Jiya Wright ran for 16 yards on first down, and Isaiah Woullard gained 19 yards on a flip pass from Wright. After an incompletion, Wright connected with Bugs Mortimer, who weaved his way to the Texas State 28. But ULM was penalized 15 yards for pass interference on the play, and instead ULM was moved back to its own 45 and out of field goal range. After a short pass that lost yardage, the game ended on an 11-yard scramble by Wright as time expired.
 
With a big crowd on hand, the atmosphere was charged. In the fourth quarter, Texas State fans tossed debris toward the ULM sidelines and receiver Tyrone Howell was taken off the sideline and escorted to the locker room for tossing a can back into the stands.
 
Texas State claimed the early 3-0 lead after taking the opening drive 69 yards in 17 plays for a 29-yard field goal from Mason Shipley. The Warhawks launched their counterattack later in the first quarter with an 8-play, 52-yard drive, culminated with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Woullard. ULM led 7-3 with 3:24 remaining in the period on Woullard's first scoring catch of the season.
 
The Bobcats drew closer at 7-6 on Shipley's 34-yard field goal with 14:09 left in the second quarter after ULM's defense held Texas State out of the end zone again at the end of a 13-play, 58-yard drive.
 
Texas State's 11-play, 58-yard drive sputtered as it approached the end zone and the Bobcats settled for a third field goal on their fifth offensive series. Shipley gave his team a leg up with a season-long 47-yard field goal that pushed the Bobcats ahead 9-7 with 7:06 remaining in the half.
 
Offensive coordinator Matt Kubik dialed up a flea-flicker that gained 41 yards on a pass from Wright to tight end Nolan Quinlan with 5:01 showing before halftime. The big play set up ULM at the Texas State 4, but the drive ended on downs inside the 1 with 3:26 left in the period when the officials ruled that the Bobcats had held firm on two plunges inside the one-yard line.
 
The 9-7 Texas State lead held until halftime, with the Bobcats outgaining ULM 222-142 through the first two quarters. Wright completed 7-of-10 passes for 93 yards and the touchdown to Woullard but the running game managed just 49 yards on 20 attempts.
 
Texas State's Finley was erratic in the half, completing 14-of-30 passes (47 percent) for 125 yards against the ULM defense.
 
After the teams swapped punts to start the third quarter, ULM started its second drive of the half at the Texas State 33. The prime field position led to a career-long 47-yard field goal by Derek McCormick, giving ULM a 10-9 advantage with 8:24 remaining in the period.
 
Texas State gambled on fourth-and-7 from the ULM 42, but Adin Huntington registered his second sack of the half and ULM took over at its own 48 with 4:27 to go in the third.
 
After the big defensive stop, ULM faced fourth-and-2 at the Texas State 5-yard line as the fourth quarter began. Bowden elected to kick, and McCormick's 22-yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 13-9 lead with 14:58 left in the game.
 
On Texas State's next drive, Ja'Terious Evans made the defensive play of the night for ULM. He snared a Finley pass and raced up the sidelines with a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Warhawks a 20-9 lead with 8:57 remaining.
 
After the pivotal turnover, Texas State mounted a 13-play, 75-yard drive and the Bobcats scored their first touchdown on Finley's 11-yard touchdown pass to Hobert with 4:16 to go. The 2-point conversion pass was incomplete, however, and ULM led 20-15.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• Through six games, ULM continues to value the football. The Warhawks rank second in the Sun Belt Conference and rank 22nd 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 (222). In addition, ULM is listed among the NCAA FBS Top 25 in fewest penalties (eighth), fewest penalties per game (eighth at 4.00 pg.), fewest penalty yards (10th) and fewest penalty yards per game (14th at 37.00 pg.).
 
SMITH, WOULLARD PROVIDE BIG PLAYS WITH RUSHING ATTACK –
Running backs Hunter Smith and Isaiah Woullard have combined to rush for 613 yards and three touchdowns through the first six games. Woullard (57 carries for 314 yards and one TD) and Smith (45 carries for 299 yards and two TDs) have accounted for 56 percent of ULM's production on the ground (1095 yards).
 
The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 73 percent of his rushing yards after contact (228 of 314) while forcing nine missed tackles. He has picked up 13 first downs on the ground. 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).
 
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards per carry (6.6) after rushing for 299 yards on 45 carries. He leads the team with two rushing TDs and gains of 15 or more yards (6). He has gained 138 of his 299 yards after contact (46 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).
 
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 (29), receiving yards (313) and touchdown catches (five). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (third, 26th in NCAA FBS) and receptions per game (seventh at 4.8 per game). His 91 receiving yards after catch and 16 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in four of the first six games.
                                
A graduate student, Howell caught two passes for 38 yards, both for first downs, last Saturday at Texas State. He caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown on Oct. 7 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 (26 career starts), center Zarian McGill (18) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (16), who have combined for 54 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (8) and right guard Tellek Lockette (9) 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 (20th with 12, including seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries). With 12 takeaways in six 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 three of their first four home games (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
 
In last Saturday's 21-20 loss at Texas State, ULM's defense forced just one turnover, but turned it into points. Linebacker Ja'Terious Evans returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown to increase the Warhawks' lead to 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
 
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. Evans and safety AJ Watts came up with interceptions for ULM, linebacker Carl Glass, linebacker Norman Massey and cornerback Car'lin Vigers forced fumbles and cornerback Lu Tillery, Vigers and defensive lineman 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 50 tackles (16 solos, 34 assists) and ranks seventh in the Sun Belt and 43rd in NCAA FBS, averaging 8.3 tackles per game. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Batton recorded double digit tackles twice this season, finishing with a team-high 10 stops (2 solos, 8 assists) against App State and also collected 10 tackles against Lamar. Batton has produced double-figure stops in four of his last nine 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 BECOMES FORCE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington is one of seven ULM defenders with over 30 tackles, totaling 31 tackles (8 solos, 23 assists) while adding three tackles for loss for 17 yards, 2.5 sacks for 16 yards, a pass break up and two quarterback hurries.
 
Last Saturday at Texas State, Huntington totaled six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) and posted two sacks for 13 yards, both coming in the third quarter. Huntington's first sack forced a Bobcat punt, while his second sack ended a Texas State drive on a fourth-down conversion attempt.
 
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 effort, 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 –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware is one of seven ULM players with at least 30 tackles, recording 31 tackles (9 solos, 22 assists) with four tackles for loss for 6 yards and one fumble recovery through the first six games of the season. The 6-foot-0, 285-pound Ware had five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) and half a tackle for loss last Saturday at Texas State.
 
Ware tallied 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 32 tackles (8 solos and 24 assists) with four tackles for loss for 9 yards and one sack for three yards through the first six games in 2023. He had a season-high nine tackles (5 solos, 4 assists) with 2.5 tackles for loss for 5 yards last Saturday at Texas State. He produced 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 had a huge game last Saturday against Texas State, returning an interception 76 yards for a touchdown to go with eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists). Evans ranks second on the team with 36 tackles (15 solos, 21 assists) with 3.0 tackles for loss for 6 yards and a conference-leading three interceptions through the first six games of the 2023 season.
 
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Evans had six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) on Oct. 7 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 has totaled 28 tackles (12 solos, 16 assists) while adding 2.5 tackles for loss for 13 yards, 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 four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) with one tackle for loss for 4 yards last Saturday at Texas State. He had 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 six games in 2023, racking up 34 tackles (19 solos, 15 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.
 
HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore linebacker Max Harris posted a career high 12 tackles (5 solos, 7 assists) while playing against his former head coach, GJ Kinne, and Texas State last Saturday. He is third on the team with 35 tackles (13 solos, 22 assists) over six games. The 5-foot-11, 221-pound linebacker recorded five stops (1 solo, 4 assists) on Oct. 7 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 where he played for Kinne, Harris 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 five contests in 2023. He did not play last Saturday at Texas State.
 
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 is tied with Georgia Southern's Shemar Bartholomew with 1.2 passes defended per game, registering five pass break ups and two interceptions for 33 return yards through the first six games of the season. Watts is tied for 22nd in NCAA FBS with his 1.2 passes defended per game. He 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. Last Saturday at Texas State, Watts had five tackes (4 solos, 1 assist) and one pass break up.
 
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.
 
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).