ULM Warhawks

 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks (2-6 overall, 0-5 Sun Belt Conference) begin a stretch of three-out-of-four games on the road to close the regular season with a trip to Southern Miss (1-7, 0-5) at 3 p.m. Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. It marks ULM's first trip to Hattiesburg since a 21-20 non-conference win on Sept. 8, 2018.
• Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between ULM and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series, 5-2, including a 3-2 record in M.M. Roberts Stadium.
    Last season, Southern Miss became bowl eligible with a 20-10 win over ULM at Malone Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the teams as conference opponents on Nov. 26. USM running back Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 199 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries, while quarterback Trey Lowe III completed 10 of 16 passes for 170 yards and a TD. ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers was 17-for-27 passing for 122 yards and a TD while rushing for 48 yards.
    Saturday's game also marks the first meeting in Hattiesburg since Sept. 8, 2018, when ULM escaped M.M. Roberts Stadium with a 21-20 victory. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 throws for 195 yards, including a pair of touchdown strikes to Marcus Green (49 and 4 yards), in ULM's road win while linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. iced the game with an interception at the Warhawk 35-yard line in the waning seconds.
• ULM's 2023 roster features 10 players from the state of Mississippi: safety Andre Mack (Madison/Madison Central), wide receiver Max McGee (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian School), center Zarian McGill (Taylorsville), offensive guard Jay Mickle (Picayune), outside linebacker Travor Randle (Greenwood), offensive guard Markell Smith (Biloxi), wide receiver Bud Tolbert (Water Valley), nose guard Jaylan Ware (Starkville), offensive lineman Matt Williams (Nesbit/Horn Lake) and running back Isaiah Woullard (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian School).
• In his second collegiate appearance and first career start, ULM freshman quarterback Blake Murphy had his second-straight 300-yard passing game, throwing for exactly 300 yards on 25-for-44 passing with two touchdowns last Saturday against Arkansas State. It is the first back-to-back 300 yard passing  Murphy had a hand in five of ULM's eight explosive plays, completing a 32-yard TD pass to tight end Nolan Quinlan in the third quarter and also completed passes of 48 yards to wide receiver Bugs Mortimer and 33 yards to wide receiver NyNy Davis. Nine different ULM receivers caught a pass in the game.
• With 300 passing yards last Saturday against Arkansas State, freshman quarterback Blake Murphy became the first ULM quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in consecutive games since Caleb Evans threw for  346 yards vs. Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019, and 330 yards at the Ragin' Cajuns on Nov. 30, 2019. Murphy's 320 passing yards on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern were the most by a ULM freshman quarterback since Evans threw for 279 against South Alabama on Nov. 5, 2016. Murphy's back-to-back 300 passing yard performances is the first by a ULM true freshman since at least 1977.
• Running backs Isaiah Woullard and Hunter Smith continue to pick up a large number of their rushing yards after contact per PFF. Woullard has picked up an impressive 74 percent of his rushing yards after contact (285 of 384), including 30 of his 43 yards last Saturday against Arkansas State. Smith has gained 43 percent of his rushing yards after contact (165 of 382), including 23 of his 60 yards against A-State.
• Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (37), receiving yards (398) and touchdown catches (six). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with six receiving TDs (24th in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (10th at 4.6 per game). His 20 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in five of the first eight games.
    Howell caught five passes for 37 yards last Saturday vs. Arkansas State. He pulled in three passes for 48 yards and had a 9-yard TD catch on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. All three of his receptions resulted in first downs. 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.
• Since the insertion of freshman quarterback Blake Murphy into the Warhawk offense, ULM's slot receivers have come to life.
    Over the past two games, sophomore wide receiver Bugs Mortimer has 11 catches for 211 yards (19.2 yards per catch) and has 133 yards after the catch. He has 151 yards after the catch on the season. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mortimer had five catches for 76 yards with 54 yards after the catch last Saturday vs. Arkansas State, with a long gain of 48 yards. He had six grabs for a team-best and career-high 135 receiving yards and had a career-best 150 all-purpose yards against Georgia Southern on Oct. 21, marking the first time in his career he has topped 100 yards in receiving or all-purpose yards. He had receptions of 54 and 38 yards, both in the second half. He totaled a career-high 79 receiving yards after the catch. Mortimer has 15 catches for 291 yards (19.4 yards per catch) while playing in all eight games in 2023. Ten of his 15 receptions have resulted in first downs.
    Alred Luke added two catches for 23 yards, including 22 yards after the catch, last Saturday against A-State. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Luke led ULM with a career-high seven receptions while adding career bests with 76 receiving yards and 109 all-purpose yards on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. It was the second time in his career to top 100 all-purpose yards, joining his 135 yard effort against Texas State last season. He had a hand in four explosive plays (20-plus yards) against the Eagles, catching passes for 24, 24 and 20 yards while adding a 20-yard kickoff return. Luke now has 12 receptions for 149 yards (12.4 yards per reception) in six games in 2023.
    NyNy Davis has a touchdown catch in back-to-back games, the first two TD grabs of his career. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Davis had three receptions for 43 yards and a 12-yard TD catch last Saturday against A-State. He had four catches for a career-high 78 receiving yards and caught his first career TD pass on a 51-yard bomb from Murphy in the second quarter. The Utah State transfer has caught 14 passes, second-most on the team, for 130 yards (9.3 yards per catch) and one TD.
• The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference and rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in both takeaways (eighth with 17, including 10 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries) and turnover margin (13th at +0.88 per game). With 17 takeaways in eight games, the ULM defense 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 recorded multiple takeaways for the fourth time this season with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the Oct. 21 38-28 loss at Georgia Southern. The other three such performances came at home (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
• Outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans, safety AJ Watts and cornerback David Godsey Jr. 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 six other players with three each. The group is part of a tie for 17th in NCAA FBS in total interceptions. Evans' third interception of the season resulted in a 76-yard return for a touchdown on Oct. 14 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 eight passes defended this season, including six pass break ups and two interceptions. He is tied for sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 1.00 per game. Watts' two interceptions, coming against App State and Army, is tied for eighth-most in the SBC. 
    Godsey Jr. enters Saturday's game at Southern Miss with interceptions in back-to-back games, the first picks of his career. Godsey set up ULM with a chance to complete an improbable rally at Georgia Southern with his first career interception on Oct. 21, and then ended Arkansas State's final drive of the first half with a pick last Saturday. Both interceptions came inside the red zone.
 
ULM/SOUTHERN MISS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between ULM and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series, 5-2, including a 3-2 record in M.M. Roberts Stadium.
 
Last season, Southern Miss became bowl eligible with a 20-10 win over ULM at Malone Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the teams as conference opponents on Nov. 26. USM running back Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 199 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries, while quarterback Trey Lowe III completed 10 of 16 passes for 170 yards and a TD. ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers was 17-for-27 passing for 122 yards and a TD while rushing for 48 yards.
 
Saturday's game also marks the first meeting in Hattiesburg since Sept. 8, 2018, when ULM escaped M.M. Roberts Stadium with a 21-20 victory. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 throws for 195 yards, including a pair of touchdown strikes to Marcus Green (49 and 4 yards), in ULM's road win while linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. iced the game with an interception at the Warhawk 35-yard line in the waning seconds.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Southern Miss 20, ULM 10 (Nov. 26, 2022, in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM hung around into the final quarter, but Southern Miss had the finishing touch Saturday at Malone Stadium. On a wet and dreary day, the Golden Eagles achieved bowl eligibility with a 20-10 win over the Warhawks in ULM's season finale.
 
Statistically, the Golden Eagles (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt) were dominant, yet there was ULM (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt) tied at 10-10 heading into the fourth quarter. But with a field goal, a blocked punt and a touchdown run by running back Frank Gore Jr., USM finally found some breathing room. Gore ran for a career-high 199 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, part of an offense that gained 448 yards overall with 265 on the ground.
 
Defensively, USM limited ULM to 231 yards and 13 first downs, registered four sacks and 13 tackles for losses. The Warhawks ran 33 times for 109 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt.
 
Quarterback Chandler Rogers completed 17-of-27 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown while running for 47 yards on 14 attempts. Tyrone Howell made four catches for 43 yards. Linebacker Michael Batton led ULM's defense with 10 tackles. In his final game at ULM, linebacker Zack Woodard made nine stops.
 
Southern Miss took the game's opening kickoff and scored on a five-play, 75-yard drive to go ahead 7-0. Quarterback Trey Lowe III found Jakarius Caston for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 12:41 left in the first. The Golden Eagles led 10-0 with 4:41 to play in the first after Briggs Bourgeois kicked a 20-yard field goal. USM drove 69 yards in 11 plays for the score.
 
The Warhawks cut the lead to 10-7 on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Andrew Henry, who caught the middle screen and weaved his way through the defense. Henry's second career touchdown reception capped a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ULM started in the first quarter and finished with 13:26 left in the second. Southern Miss missed out on a scoring opportunity near the end of the half as time expired with the Golden Eagles at the ULM 1. Tight end Cole Cavallo slipped and fell at the 1 after catching a pass from Lowe and USM was unable to stop the clock in time to run another play.
 
Unable to get much going on the slick turf, the Warhawks were limited to 82 yards and five first downs during the first half. Rogers completed 7-of-10 passes for 61 yards and one touchdown. ULM rushed for just 21 yards on 12 attempts. Gore rushed for 113 yards on 14 carries in the first half, providing a chunk of his USM's 273 offensive yards.
 
After ULM went three-and-out with the second-half kickoff, the Golden Eagles were stuffed on fourth down at the Warhawks' 32. Calum Sutherland's 37-yard field goal tied the game at 10-10 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter. A 34-yard run by Rogers to the USM 33 was the pivotal play on ULM's nine-play, 49-yard drive.
 
As the third quarter was ending, the Golden Eagles flipped the field with a 59-yard pass from Lowe to Latreal Jones, who raced to the ULM 30. However, the Warhawks held tight in the red zone and limited USM to a 24-yard field goal by Bourgeois.
 
The Golden Eagles led 13-10 with 12:30 remaining after an eight-play, 82-yard drive. USM's Brenan Toles blocked Devyn McCormick's punt with 7:41 left in the game and the Eagles recovered at the ULM 33. One play later, Gore rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown to increase the margin to 20-10 with 7:32 to go.
 
THE LAST MEETING AT M.M. ROBERTS STADIUM –
ULM 21, Southern Miss 20 (Sept. 8, 2018 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi): ULM was clinging to a one-point lead Saturday night at "The Rock" and had a defense that had come through time and time again. But the Warhawks needed one last stand to claim a win at Southern Miss.
 
Continuing a game-long trend of defensive playmaking, linebacker Cortez Sisco Jr. made a leaping interception in the waning seconds and sealed a 21-20 victory for ULM at M.M. Roberts Stadium. The Warhawks (2-0) registered five sacks and made four takeaways in one of their best defensive efforts in recent memory.
 
Defensive end Donald Louis Jr. made six tackles, with three for losses including two sacks, and forced a fumble. Southern Miss (1-1) had the ball second-and-8 at the ULM 45 before Sisco Jr. went high for his game-saving pick at the ULM 35, then raced 46 yards back to the USM 19 with seven seconds left. The Warhawks ran off the final seconds in the victory formation.
 
ULM's defense delivered on a night where the offense wasn't as effective as usual. Southern Miss ran 80 plays to the Warhawks' 58 and outgained ULM, 436-354. Still, ULM did just enough as Mississippi native Marcus Green caught four passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, and Austin "Bus" Vaughn gained 85 yards on nine attempts. Quarterback Caleb Evans hit 15-of-28 attempts for 195 yards and two scores with one interception.
 
ULM's defense rebounded nicely from a jolting start. Southern Miss scored on its first play as Jaylond Adams took a short pass from Jack Abraham and scampered 75 yards for a touchdown and a7-0 lead 13 seconds into the game. ULM tied the score 7-7 with its first monster defensive play as Sam Miller recovered an Abraham fumble in the end zone. On the third-and-9 attempt, Louis sacked Abraham and knocked the ball loose with 12:05 left in the first quarter.
 
ULM parlayed another turnover into points later in the first quarter after Marcus Hubbard's interception. Immediately after the takeaway, Evans went over the top to Green for a 49-yard score to put ULM ahead 14-7 with 4:37 showing in the opening period.
 
Parker Shaunfield's 42-yard field goal with 2:01 to go in the first brought Southern Miss within 14-10. The Golden Eagles regained their edge, 17-14, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Abraham to Quez Watkins to wrap a seven-play, 64-yard drive with 6:36 left in the half. Abraham completed 31-of-46 attempts for 378 yards and two scores despite the heavy pressure.
 
Louis registered his second sack for a 9-yard loss late in the second quarter to push Southern Miss back and Shaunfield missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt with 38 seconds remaining.
 
Vaughn provided a spark for ULM as he opened the second half with a 56-yard burst up the middle down to the Southern Miss 9-yard line. Two plays later, Evans hit Green for a 4-yard touchdown pass and ULM was up again 21-17.
 
Southern Miss went 45 yards in 14 plays but settled for another Shaunfield field goal from 47 yards out with 6:51 to go in the third. ULM's Kenderick Marbles, who had three pass break-ups, busted up a pass at the goal line to help the Warhawks defend the red zone. The defense provided another opportunity when Miller sacked Abraham and forced a fumble, recovered by Mason Husmann. But two plays later, Evans was picked off on an underthrown ball at the USM 8.
 
Southern Miss started the fourth quarter with a fresh set of downs at the ULM 46, but the defense rallied again. Sisco stopped T-Rod Daniels on fourth-and-1 at the 39 for another pivotal play.
 
Vaughn rushed for 19 yards on three carries as the Warhawks moved to the USM 35 in nine plays, but Craig Ford's 42-yard field-goal try was wide left with 9:15 remaining. The Golden Eagles took over and advanced to the ULM 34 but missed their chance to regain the edge when Shaunfield missed a 49-yard field with 5:42 left in the game.
 
ULM/SOUTHERN MISS CONNECTIONS  –
• Southern Miss head coach Will Hall began attending the Florida State Quarterback Camp as a 12-year-old where Terry Bowden served as one of the coaches. Following his graduation from North Alabama, Hall became an instructor at the quarterback camp.
 
Hall and Bowden met twice as head coaches during the 2011 season. Hall won during the regularseason match-up, leading West Alabama over North Alabama, 31-26, but dropped a 43-27 decision to Bowden's team in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
 
• Two current ULM assistant coaches previously worked at Southern Miss, including offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Kubik, who held the same post for Southern Miss in 2020, and wide receivers coach John Carr, who was the school's director of football operations from 2013-14. ULM's Director of Football Relations Pat McGee worked as a recruiting coordinator under former USM head coach Larry Fedora.
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE MAGNOLIA STATE –
ULM's 2023 roster features 10 players from the state of Mississippi: safety Andre Mack (Madison/Madison Central), wide receiver Max McGee (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian School), center Zarian McGill (Taylorsville), offensive guard Jay Mickle (Picayune), outside linebacker Travor Randle (Greenwood), offensive guard Markell Smith (Biloxi), wide receiver Bud Tolbert (Water Valley), nose guard Jaylan Ware (Starkville), offensive lineman Matt Williams (Nesbit/Horn Lake) and running back Isaiah Woullard (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian School).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT  –
Arkansas State 34, ULM 24 (Oct. 28, 2023, in Monroe, Louisiana): A fourth-quarter surge helped Arkansas State outlast ULM 34-24 on a warm afternoon at Malone Stadium.
 
The Red Wolves (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) claimed their 14th straight win over the Warhawks (2-6, 0-5 Sun Belt), a streak that dates back to 2010. ULM dropped its sixth-straight game this season after a 2-0 start.
 
Freshman quarterback Blake Murphy, who saw his first collegiate action a week ago, made his first start in ULM's Homecoming game.
 
Murphy completed 25-of-44 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He passed for 320 yards in his debut at Georgia Southern, positioning him to start over Jiya Wright.
 
ULM led 16-10 after scoring on the opening drive of the third quarter before Arkansas State regained the lead 17-16 in the period. The Red Wolves outscored ULM 17-8 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
 
The Warhawks committed nine penalties for 75 yards and had three touchdowns negated by flags. ULM lost a 73-yard punt return, a 33-yard touchdown pass and a blocked punt return for a score to penalties.
 
The Warhawks gained 448 yards total offense with 148 rushing. Bugs Mortimer caught five passes for 76 yards while Hunter Smith rushed for 60 yards on 13 carries.
 
Ja'Terious Evans led the ULM defense with eight tackles. Kenard Snyder had a sack and 2.5 tackles for losses.
 
ULM had two touchdowns erased by penalties (a punt return and a passing TD) before Derek McCormick's 50-yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 3-0 lead with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Arkansas State responded quickly, using a 58-yard pass play to flip the field before Jaylen Raynor scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left in the opening period. Raynor, also a true freshman starting quarterback, completed 15-of-30 passes for 298 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
 
The Warhawks needed 13 plays to cover 62 yards and add a 30-yard field goal by McCormick to cut the deficit to 7-6 with 10:45 left in the quarter. Murphy hit a 33-yard pass to NyNy Davis and ULM converted on fourth-and-1 to the ASU 15 to keep the drive flowing.
 
ULM regained the lead at 9-7 on a 20-yard field goal from McCormick with 5:27 left in the half. Murphy's 24-yard pass to tight end Nolan Quinlan to the ASU 22 was the big play in ULM's 10-play, 61-yard scoring drive.
 
Arkansas State's Dominic Zvada gave his team a leg up with a 49-yard field goal with 2:02 remaining in the second quarter. The Red Wolves drove 33 yards in eight plays to go ahead 10-9, which stood as the halftime score.
 
ULM outgained Arkansas State 207-184 in the first half, as Murphy completed 12-of-20 passes for 158 yards. His most productive target was Mortimer, who caught three balls for 60 yards.
 
The third quarter started with a pair of marathon marches by both offenses.
 
The Warhawks took the opening drive 75 yards in 12 plays, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Murphy to Nolan Quinlan, the first in the tight end's ULM career. ULM led 16-10 with 9:27 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Arkansas State countered with a long scoring drive of its own, moving 75 yards in 13 plays. Raynor's 5-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Jackson with 4:10 left in the third put the Red Wolves up 17-16.
 
Zak Wallace ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run to cap a swift, three-play, 81-yard drive and Arkansas State's lead increased to 24-16 with 12:41 left in regulation. Corey Rucker's 36-yard reception on the previous play set up the scoring dash.
 
After a ULM punt, Wallace scored again on a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:28 to go. The Red Wolves covered 72 yards in five plays, including a 38-yard pass from Raynor to Jackson to set up the TD plunge. Wallace finished with 118 rushing yards and two scores on 18 attempts.
 
The Red Wolves added a 42-yard field goal by Zvada with 2:08 left in the game for a 34-16 score.
 
Murphy orchestrated a nine-play, 75-yard drive and hit Davis on a 12-yard touchdown pass for ULM's final points with 22 seconds remaining. Murphy ran in the 2-point conversion to set the 34-24 final margin.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference and rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in both takeaways (eighth with 17, including 10 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries) and turnover margin (13th at +0.88 per game). With 17 takeaways in eight games, the ULM defense 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 recorded multiple takeaways for the fourth time this season with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the Oct. 21 38-28 loss at Georgia Southern. The other three such performances came at home (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
    Outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans, safety AJ Watts and cornerback David Godsey Jr. 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 six other players with three each. The group is part of a tie for 17th in NCAA FBS in total interceptions. Evans' third interception of the season resulted in a 76-yard return for a touchdown on Oct. 14 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 eight passes defended this season, including six pass break ups and two interceptions. He is tied for sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 1.00 per game. Watts' two interceptions, coming against App State and Army, is tied for eighth-most in the SBC. 
    Godsey Jr. enters Saturday's game at Southern Miss with interceptions in back-to-back games, the first picks of his career. Godsey set up ULM with a chance to complete an improbable rally at Georgia Southern with his first career interception on Oct. 21, and then ended Arkansas State's final drive of the first half with a pick last Saturday. Both interceptions came inside the red zone.
• In addition to valuing the football, ULM continues to play disciplined football. The Warhawks are second in the Sun Belt Conference and listed among the NCAA FBS leaders in fewest penalties (30th, 42), fewest penalties per game (31st, 5.25), fewest penalty yards (44th, 379) and fewest penalty yards per game (47th, 47.38).
 
MURPHY TAKES COMMAND –
Freshman quarterback Blake Murphy made his first collegiate start last Saturday against Arkansas State, becoming the first true freshman to start at quarterback for ULM since Caleb Evans in 2016. He threw for 300 yards, marking his second-straight 300 yard passing game, on 25 of 44 attempts with two touchdowns against the Red Wolves. He threw scoring strikes of 32 yards to Nolan Quinlan and 12 yards to NyNy Davis.
 
Murphy is the first ULM quarterback to throw for 300 yards in consecutive games since Evans did so in his final two starts of the 2019, passing for 346 yards vs. Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019, and 330 yards at the Ragin' Cajuns on Nov. 30, 2019. Murphy's back-to-back 300 yard performances are the first by a ULM true freshman since at least 1977.
 
He made his collegiate debut on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern, completing 18-of-33 passes for 320 yards, one TD and one interception. His 320 passing yards were the most by a ULM freshman quarterback since Evans threw for 279 in his starting debut against South Alabama on Nov. 5, 2016. He threw a 51-yard TD pass to Davis in the second quarter for his first career score.
 
Murphy ranked among the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks (No. 29) by ESPN after playing four years of varsity football at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida. He accounted for 4,752 yards of total offense and 53 touchdowns in his prep career.
 
SMITH, WOULLARD PROVIDE BIG PLAYS WITH RUSHING ATTACK –
Running backs Isaiah Woullard and Hunter Smith continue to pick up a large number of their rushing yards after contact. The duo have posted 766 of ULM's 1,269 rushing yards (60 percent) and four of the six rushing touchdowns through the first eight games of the season. Woullard has 79 carries for 384 yards and one TD while Smith has 62 carries for 382 yards and three TDs.
 
The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 74 percent of his rushing yards after contact (285 of 384), including 30 of his 43 yards last Saturday against Arkansas State, while forcing 13 missed tackles and has 15 first down runs. 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). Last Saturday, Woullard rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries against Arkansas State.
 
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards per carry (6.2) after rushing for 382 yards on 62 carries. He leads the team in rushing TDs (3), gains of 15 or more yards (8) and first down runs (15). He has gained 165 of his 382 yards after contact (43 percent) and has produced 16 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). His rushing TD on Oct. 21 against Georgia Southern brought ULM within three points, 31-28, after trailing 31-7 in the second quarter. Smith hurdled a defender early in his run and knocked an Eagle defender into the end zone to finish the score. He rushed for a team-high 60 yards on 13 carries with a long of 24 yards last Saturday against Arkansas State.
 
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 BUILDING OFF BREAKOUT 2022 CAMPAIGN –
Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (37), receiving yards (398) and touchdown catches (six). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with six receiving TDs (24th in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (10th at 4.6 per game). His 20 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in five of the first eight games.
 
Howell caught five passes for 37 yards last Saturday vs. Arkansas State. He pulled in three passes for 48 yards and had a 9-yard TD catch on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. All three of his receptions resulted in first downs. 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.
 
EH, WHAT'S UP, DOC? –
Over the past two games, sophomore wide receiver Bugs Mortimer has 11 catches for 211 yards (19.2 yards per catch) and has 133 yards after the catch. He has 151 yards after the catch on the season. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mortimer had five catches for 76 yards with 54 yards after the catch last Saturday vs. Arkansas State, with a long gain of 48 yards.
 
He posted the biggest stat line of his collegiate career last Saturday at Georgia Southern. Mortimer had six grabs for a team-best and career-high 135 receiving yards and had a career-best 150 all-purpose yards against Georgia Southern on Oct. 21, marking the first time in his career he has topped 100 yards in receiving or all-purpose yards. He had receptions of 54 and 38 yards, both in the second half. He totaled a career-high 79 receiving yards after the catch.
 
Mortimer has 15 catches for 291 yards (19.4 yards per catch) while playing in all eight games in 2023. Ten of his 15 receptions have resulted in first downs.
 
He played in 10 games as a freshman in 2022, making 14 catches for 85 yards.
 
COOL HAND LUKE –
Sophomore wide receiver Alred Luke posted his first 100 all-purpose yard game of the 2023 season and the third such game of his career with 109 all-purpose yards on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern.
 
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Luke led ULM with a career-high seven receptions while adding career bests with 76 receiving yards and 109 all-purpose yards at Georgia Southern. He had a hand in four explosive plays (20-plus yards) against the Eagles, catching passes for 24, 24 and 20 yards while adding a 20-yard kickoff return. Luke now has 10 receptions for 126 yards (12.6 yards per reception) in five games in 2023.
 
Luke posted a career-high 135 all-purpose yards in ULM's 31-30 win over Texas State on Nov. 3, 2022, posting a career-best 111 kickoff return yards on six attempts while adding 24 receiving yards.
 
The New Orleans native recorded his first career game with more than 100 all-purpose yards on Oct. 8, 2022, against Coastal Carolina. Luke caught a team-best six passes for 55 yards, added three carries for 26 yards and tacked on one kickoff return for 21 yards to total 102 all-purpose yards.
 
Luke added two catches for 23 yards, including 22 yards after the catch, last Saturday against A-State. He now has 12 receptions for 149 yards (12.4 yards per reception) in six games in 2023.
 
Luke played in all 12 games in 2022 as a redshirt freshman, catching 23 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown, coming at Arkansas State. He added a team-high 396 kickoff return yards.
 
He played in four games as a true freshman in 2021, seeing time against South Alabama, Arkansas State, at LSU and at the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
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 Oct. 9. 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.
 
FIVE WARHAWKS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSIVE LINE  –
ULM will rebuild its offensive line around three veterans, in right tackle Keydrell Lewis (28 career starts), center Zarian McGill (20) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (18), who have combined for 54 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (10) and right guard Tellek Lockette (10) 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 eightgames of the season.
 
The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt Conference and rank among the NCAA FBS leaders in both takeaways (eighth with 17, including 10 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries) and turnover margin (13th at +0.88 per game). With 17 takeaways in eight games, the ULM defense 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. David Godsey Jr. recorded an interception late in the first half last Saturday against Arkansas State for the 17th takeaway on the season by the Warhawk defense.
 
The Warhawks recorded multiple takeaways for the fourth time this season with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the Oct. 21 38-28 loss at Georgia Southern. The other three such performances came at home (five vs. Army, two vs. Lamar and four vs. App State).
 
In the Oct. 14 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 61 tackles (21 solos, 40 assists) and ranks 11th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 7.6 tackles per game. He totaled five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) with half a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry last Saturday at Arkansas State. He had six tackles (4 solos, 2 assists) to match the team lead and blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. 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 10 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.
 
EVANS SHOWCASES REVAMPED WARHAWK DEFENSE –
Graduate student Ja'Terious Evans had a huge game on Oct. 14 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 46 tackles (19 solos, 27 assists) with 3.5 tackles for loss for 8 yards and a conference-leading three interceptions through the first eight games of the 2023 season. He totaled a team-high eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists) and half a tackle for a loss of 2 yards last Saturday vs. Arkansas State.
 
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.
 
HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore linebacker Max Harris ranks third on the team with 44 tackles (16 solos, 28 assists) with an interception and a forced fumble while playing in the first eight games of the season. He posted a career high 12 tackles (5 solos, 7 assists) while playing against his former head coach, GJ Kinne, and Texas State on Oct. 14.
 
The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Harris 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).
 
GLASS COMING UP BIG AT LINEBACKER –
Linebacker Carl Glass ranks fourth on the team with 41 tackles (15 solos, 26 assists) while adding 3.5 tackles for loss for 15 yards, 1.5 sacks for 9 yards, a quarterback hurry and is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles in 2023.
 
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Glass was second on the team with seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists) and added half a tackle for loss for one yard last Saturday vs. Arkansas State. He tied for the team lead with six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) and half a tackle for loss for one yard on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. He contributed four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) with one tackle for loss for 4 yards on Oct. 14 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 seven of the first eight games of 2023, racking up 40 tackles (21 solos, 19 assists) with two pass break ups, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He tied for third on the team with six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) and added a pass break up last Saturday vs. Arkansas State.
 
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.
 
HUNTINGTON BECOMES FORCE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington ranks sixth on the Warhawks with 39 tackles (11 solos, 28 assists) while adding 5.5 tackles for loss for 32 yards, 4.5 sacks for 30 yards, a pass break up, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He has totaled four sacks and a forced fumble over the last three games. He ranks ninth in the Sun Belt Conference with his 4.5 sacks.
 
On Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern, Huntington had four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) while picking up two sacks for 14 yards and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter.
 
On Oct. 14 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).
 
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 totaled 39 tackles (12 solos and 27 assists) with 7.5 tackles for loss for 26 yards and three sacks for 18 yards, a pass breakup, three quaterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery through the first eight games in 2023. He made a major impact last Saturday against Arkansas State, posting four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) with 2.5 tackles for a loss of 4 yards, one sack for a loss of two yards and two quarterback hurries. He had three tackles (2 solos and 1 assist), including a sack for a loss of 13 yards, a forced fumble and fumble recovery on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern. He had a season-high nine tackles (5 solos, 4 assists) with 2.5 tackles for loss for 5 yards on Oct. 14 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.
 
WARE DISRUPTIVE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware has posted 39 tackles (11 solos, 28 assists), with 4.5 tackles for loss for 7 yards and one fumble recovery through the first eight games of the season. On Oct. 21, Ware totaled five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) with half a tackle for a loss of 1 yard at Georgia Southern.
 
The 6-foot-0, 285-pound Ware had five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) and half a tackle for loss on Oct. 14 at Texas State. He 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.
 
WATTS DISRUPTIVE IN PASSING GAME –
Senior AJ Watts is tied for fifth in the Sun Belt Conference with 1.00 passes defended per game, registering six pass break ups and two interceptions for 33 return yards through the first eight games of the season. 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. He tied for third on the team with six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) last Saturday vs. Arkansas State. On Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern, Watts had four tackes (all solos) 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.
 
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 23 tackles (5 solos, 18 assists) over seven contests in 2023. He did not play on Oct. 14 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.
 
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).