ULM Warhawks

 
2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 11 at Ole Miss
 
Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 11 Preview at Ole Miss
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks (2-8 overall, 0-7 Sun Belt Conference) play its final non-conference game at 11 a.m. Saturday at No. 13/14 Ole Miss (8-2 overall, 5-2 Sun Belt Conference). ULM is coming off last Saturday's 45-14 loss to Troy, while Ole Miss lost 52-17 at No. 1/1 Georgia in SEC action.
• Saturday's game marks the fifth meeting between ULM and Ole Miss, with the Rebels winning all four previous meetings. Ole Miss won the last meeting, 70-21, on Oct. 6, 2018. ULM wide receiver Marcus Green had 198 all-purpose yards in the loss, including a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. He had a team-high seven receptions for 60 yards. Quarterback Caleb Evans was 17-of-28 passing for 206 yards and rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries. Wide receiver R.J. Turner had five receptions for 112 yards.
• Saturday's game is the second for ULM this season against an opponent from the SEC. The Warhawks dropped a 47-3 decision to Texas A&M on Sept. 16. The Warhawks have compiled a 4-51-1 record (.080) against current members of the Southeastern Conference (1-2 vs. Alabama, 1-8 vs. Arkansas, 0-11 vs. Auburn, 0-2 vs. Florida, 0-4 vs. Georgia, 1-5 vs. Kentucky, 0-4 vs. LSU, 1-4-1 vs. Mississippi State, 0-1 vs. Missouri, 0-3 vs. Ole Miss, 0-1 vs. Tennessee and 0-6 vs. Texas A&M). ULM's last win over an SEC opponent came in the 2012 season opener against No. 8 Arkansas in Little Rock, 34-31, in overtime.
• 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).
• 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 (311 of 418). Woullard played five seasons at Ole Miss, playing in 46 games. His best season came as a true freshman in 2018, when he rushed for 428 yards and four touchdowns. Smith has gained 46 percent of his rushing yards after contact (195 of 423).
• Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (44), receiving yards (516) and touchdown catches (seven). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with seven receiving TDs (31st in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (10th at 4.4 per game). His 25 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in seven of the first 10 games.
    Howell tied for the team lead with four receptions, all for first downs, and tallied a team-high 93 yards while adding his seventh TD catch of the season last Saturday vs. Troy. 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.
• The Warhawks are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied for second in the SBC with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 18th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.30 per game, which ranks 35th in NCAA FBS. With 18 takeaways in nine 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, cornerback David Godsey Jr. and safety AJ Watts have been the biggest ball hawks for ULM. Evans and Godsey are part of a tie for second in the Sun Belt Conference with three interceptions each, one behind Troy's Reddy Steward. Evans and Godsey are part of a pack tied for 31st in NCAA FBS in interceptions. Watts has two picks and is tied for 12th in the SBC.
    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 51 (20 solos, 31 assists), has 3.5 tackles for loss for eight yards, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
    Godsey Jr. enters Saturday's game at Ole Miss with interceptions in three of the last four games, the first picks of his career. All three interceptions have come in the red zone. 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 on Oct. 28. With Southern Miss up 17-0 and driving late in the first half on Nov. 4, Godsey picked off Billy Wiles' pass in the end zone to keep the deficit at 17.
    Watts has eight passes defended this season, including six pass break ups and two interceptions. He is tied for 12th in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 0.80 per game. Watts' two interceptions came against App State and Army.
• After picking up a sack for a nine-yard loss on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss, defensive tackle Adin Huntington sits 11th in the Sun Belt Conference with 0.55 sacks per game. Inside SBC games, he is eighth in the conference with five of his sacks, good for 0.71 sacks per game. Huntington, a transfer from Kent State, has 5.5 sacks on the season, with five of them coming in the last five games. He had two sacks each at Texas State on Oct. 14 and at Georgia Southern on Oct. 21. ULM has totaled 19 sacks for 130 yards this season. Huntington totaled seven tackles (2 solos, 5 assists) and 1.5 tackles for loss for 6 yards last Saturday vs. Troy.
• Defensive end Kenard Snyder leads ULM with 10.5 tackles for loss for 38 yards while adding 4.5 sacks for 26 yards. Snyder has 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks over the last four games, including a sack for a loss of 5 yards last Saturday vs. Troy. He has at least one tackle for loss in each of the last five games, and multiple tackles for loss in three of the last five contests. Inside SBC play, Snyder has 10 of his 10.5 tackles for loss, which ranks seventh in the league (1.43 per game). All of his sacks have come in conference games, which ranks him tied for ninth in the SBC in conference play (0.64 per game).
 
ULM/OLE MISS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the fifth meeting between ULM and Ole Miss, with the Rebels winning all four previous meetings. Ole Miss won the last meeting, 70-21, on Oct. 6, 2018. ULM wide receiver Marcus Green had 198 all-purpose yards in the loss, including a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. He had a team-high seven receptions for 60 yards. Quarterback Caleb Evans was 17-of-28 passing for 206 yards and rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries. Wide receiver R.J. Turner had five receptions for 112 yards.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Ole Miss 70, ULM 21 (Oct. 6, 2018, in Oxford, Mississippi): Jordan Ta'amu was 21-of-24 for 374 yards and accounted for five touchdowns to lead Ole Miss to a 70-21 win over ULM Saturday. Ta'amu threw touchdown passes to A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and DaMarkus Lodge for 20, 62 and 16 yards, respectively. Ta'amu added touchdown runs of 1 and 39 yards, individually accounting for 437 yards of total offense before sitting out the second half.
 
The Rebels scored touchdowns on their first nine possessions.
 
The Rebels (4-2) scored on drives of 78, 61, 97, 66, 72 and 74 yards to build an insurmountable 49-7 halftime lead.
 
Ole Miss freshman quarterback Matt Corral extended the touchdown streak to nine with drives of 75 and 92 yards in the third quarter. Corral passed 11 yards to Phillips before breaking a 61-yard run to cap the opening touchdown series. Corral finished the scoring with a 24-yard TD pass to Elijah Moore.
 
Corral finished 10-of-10 passing for 143 yards and had six rushes for a game-high 78 yards.
 
ULM (2-4, 0-2 Sun Belt Conference) dropped its fourth consecutive game and never seriously threatened. The Warhawks pulled within 28-7 on an 11-yard scoring run by Derrick Gore. Marcus Green scored on a 71-yard punt return in the third quarter and reserve quarterback Colby Suits threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Zach Jackson in the fourth quarter.
 
Caleb Evans was 17-of-28 passing for 206 yards and rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries. The Warhawks finished with 427 yards of offense, but they were largely ineffective in the red zone. R.J. Turner had five receptions for 112 yards.
 
The Rebels finished with a school-record 826 yards of total offense, 536 in the first half. Lodge and Brown had nine catches apiece for 179 and 133 yards, respectively. Metcalf added four receptions for 115 yards.
 
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).
 
WARHAWKS vs. SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS –
The Warhawks have compiled a 4-51-1 record (.080) against current members of the Southeastern Conference (1-2 vs. Alabama, 1-8 vs. Arkansas, 0-11 vs. Auburn, 0-2 vs. Florida, 0-4 vs. Georgia, 1-5 vs. Kentucky, 0-4 vs. LSU, 1-4-1 vs. Mississippi State, 0-1 vs. Missouri, 0-3 vs. Ole Miss, 0-1 vs. Tennessee and 0-6 vs. Texas A&M). ULM's last win over an SEC opponent came in the 2012 season opener against No. 8 Arkansas in Little Rock, 34-31, in overtime.
 
2012 ULM/ARKANSAS FLASHBACK (ULM's last win over an SEC opponent) – ULM 34, No. 8 Arkansas 31 (Sept. 8, 2012; Little Rock, Ark.): Quarterback Kolton Browning accounted for 481 total yards and four touchdowns, including a 16-yard TD run in overtime, to lead ULM to a 34-31 victory over No. 8 Arkansas in the 2012 season opener for both teams.
 
It marked ULM's first win over an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ranked opponent in school history. It also marked the first time a Sun Belt Conference member had defeated a Top-10 team.
 
The Warhawks trailed 28-7 in the third quarter before Browning led a furious comeback. The ULM defense also played a key role in the rally, holding the Razorbacks to 10 points and 108 total yards in the second half.
 
Jyruss Edwards finished off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run, as ULM pulled to within 28-14 with 5:41 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a 19-yard run by Browning on a fourth-down play.
 
The Warhawk defense forced Arkansas to go three-and-out on its next possession, thanks to an 18-yard sack by Ray Stovall.
 
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Browning tossed a 1-yard TD pass to tight end Kevin Steed on fourth down, as ULM cut its deficit to 28-21 with just under 15 minutes to play.
 
ULM started its game-tying TD drive from its own 10-yard line with 2:59 remaining in regulation. On fourth-and-10, Browning hooked up with Brent Leonard for a 23-yard scoring play as the Warhawks tied the game at 28 with 55 seconds remaining on the clock.
 
Arkansas' opening possession of overtime resulted in a 37-yard field goal and a 31-28 lead.
 
Faced with fourth-and-1 from the Razorback 16, ULM elected to forego a potential game-tying field-goal attempt. Browning scrambled 16 yards for the game-winning TD, diving head-first into the end zone.
 
Browning completed 42-of-67 passes for 412 yards and three TDs. He added 69 yards rushing and another score. His favorite target was Leonard, who had 11 receptions for 112 yards.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT  –
Troy 45, ULM 14 (Nov. 11, 2023, in Monroe, Louisiana): The ULM football team closed out the home schedule Saturday with a 45-14 loss to Troy at Malone Stadium.
 
ULM (2-8, 0-7 Sun Belt) dropped its eighth straight overall after opening the year with a pair of home wins. Troy improved to 8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt while winning its seventh straight.
 
Troy's defense registered nine sacks against ULM, which gained 309 yards of total offense. Starting quarterback Jiya Wright completed 20-of-36 attempts for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his final home game. Senior Tyrone Howell caught four balls for 93 yards and a score.
 
The Warhawks made eight penalties for 76 yards while going 4-of-15 on third down and 0-for-4 on fourth down.
 
Troy gained 346 yards with 26 first downs and scored on all seven red-zone trips. Gunnar Watson passed for 219 yards with four touchdowns. Javon Solomon made four sacks while Richard Jibunor had 3.5 sacks.
 
Troy took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Damien Taylor with 5:55 left in in the first quarter. The Trojans drove 64 yards in eight plays for the game's first score.
 
The Trojans were in the end zone for a second time with 13:11 showing in the second quarter when Watson found Jabre Barber for a 5-yard touchdown strike. Troy traveled 78 yards in 11 plays to go ahead 14-0.
 
Braxton Guilbeau, filling in for injured kicker Derek McCormick, had a 43-yard field goal attempt blocked with 9:48 remaining in the second quarter. Troy's Keyshawn Swanson returned the ball 43 yards back to the ULM 46. Guilbeau was injured on the play, further depleting ULM's kicker corps for the rest of the game.
 
Seven plays and 46 yards after the block, Watson threw his third touchdown pass of the game, finding Devonte Ross for a 4-yard score, and Troy's lead increased to 21-0 with 6:52 left in the half.
 
The Warhawks came up empty on three first-half trips to the red zone, including a loss of 16 yards on fourth-and-4 from the Troy 11 with 46 seconds left in the second quarter.
 
ULM trailed 21-0 at the half despite outgaining Troy 189-172 through two quarters. Wright completed 13-of-22 passes for 138 yards and Bennett Galloway ran four times for 51 yards. Dariyan Wiley made four catches for 57 yards. Six penalties for 51 yards hurt the home team's cause.
 
After being shut out in the first half, ULM cut the deficit to 21-7 with 7:36 remaining in the third quarter as Howell snared a 46-yard touchdown pass from Wright.
 
Troy pushed the lead back to three possessions at 24-7 on Scott Taylor Renfroe's 32-yard field goal with 4:04 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive covered 40 yards over nine plays.
 
Missed opportunities continued to haunt ULM in the second half. After the Trojans' field goal, Alred Luke returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Troy 35 -- but the Warhawks went four-and-out and turned the ball over on downs at the 32.
 
Troy found paydirt again with 14:13 left in the game as Watson's 5-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Conner boosted the lead to 31-7.  The Trojans mounted an 8-play, 68-yard scoring drive.
 
Senior Bud Tolbert, playing his last home game, caught his first ULM touchdown pass from 3 yards out. The Warhawks narrowed the score to 31-14 with 8:07 left after a 12-play, 65-yard drive.
 
Howell's muffed punt return gave Troy possession at the ULM 13 with 6:58 left in the game. Three plays later, backup quarterback Goose Crowder flipped a 9-yard touchdown pass to Asa Martin for a 38-14 lead.
 
The Trojans kept their foot on the gas to the end, scoring with 1:56 to go on Tae Meadows' 5-yard touchdown run.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• The Warhawks are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied for second in the SBC with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 18th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.30 per game, which ranks 35th in NCAA FBS. With 18 takeaways in nine 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, cornerback David Godsey Jr. and safety AJ Watts have been the biggest ball hawks for ULM. Evans and Godsey are part of a tie for second in the Sun Belt Conference with three interceptions each, one behind Troy's Reddy Steward. Evans and Godsey are part of a pack tied for 31st in NCAA FBS in interceptions. Watts has two picks and is tied for 12th in the SBC.
 
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 51 (20 solos, 31 assists), has 3.5 tackles for loss for eight yards, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
 
Godsey Jr. enters Saturday's game at Ole Miss with interceptions in three of the last four games, the first picks of his career. All three interceptions have come in the red zone. 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 on Oct. 28. With Southern Miss up 17-0 and driving late in the first half on Nov. 4, Godsey picked off Billy Wiles' pass in the end zone to keep the deficit at 17.
 
Watts has eight passes defended this season, including six pass break ups and two interceptions. He is tied for 12th in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 0.80 per game. Watts' two interceptions came against App State and Army.
 
• In addition to valuing the football, ULM continues to play disciplined football. The Warhawks are third in the Sun Belt Conference in fewest penalties (55) and fewest penalties per game (5.50) while ranking sixth in fewest penalty yards (505) and fewest penalty yards per game (50.5).
 
MURPHY MAKES DEBUT –
Freshman quarterback Blake Murphy made his first collegiate start on Oct. 28 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.
 
THE WRIGHT STUFF –
ULM graduate quarterback Jiya Wright reclaimed his starting spot ahead of last Saturday's game against Troy. Wright has played in all 10 games with seven starts in 2023, completing 54% (94-of-175) passes for 1,124 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has rushed for 229 yards on 81 carries and one TD.
 
Wright set career highs in pass completions and attempts, going 20-of-36 for 243 yards and two TDs last Saturday vs. Troy. It marked his second 200-plus yard passing day in 2023, after throwing for a career-high 268 yards and 4 TDs while rushing for 74 yards and another score vs. App State on Sept. 30. He has thrown at least one TD pass in each of the last six games in which he has attempted a pass.
 
Wright, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, in his third season at ULM and his sixth season playing college football. He opened his career at Northern Illinois before transferring to NCAA Division II Florida Tech, but the Panthers shut their football program down with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After playing in three games at Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College in the spring of 2021, Wright transferred to ULM, where he was a backup quarterback for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
 
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 841 of ULM's 1,408 rushing yards (60 percent) and four of the six rushing touchdowns through the first 10 games of the season. Smith has 73 carries for 423 yards and three TDs while Woullard has 90 carries for 418 yards and one TD.
 
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith is averaging 5.8 yards per carry after rushing for 423 yards on 73 carries. He leads the team in rushing TDs (3), gains of 15 or more yards (8) and first down runs (17). He has gained 195 of his 423 yards after contact (46 percent). 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 on Oct. 28 against Arkansas State.
 
The 5-9, 215-pound Woullard has picked up an impressive 74 percent of his rushing yards after contact (311 of 418), including 30 of his 43 yards on Oct. 28 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). On Oct. 28, Woullard rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries against Arkansas State.
 
Woullard played five seasons at Ole Miss, playing in 46 games. His best season came as a true freshman in 2018, when he rushed for 428 yards and four touchdowns.
 
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 (44), receiving yards (516) and touchdown catches (seven). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with seven receiving TDs (31st in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (10th at 4.4 per game). His 25 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in seven of the first 10 games.
 
Howell tied for the team lead with four receptions, all for first downs, and tallied a team-high 93 yards while adding his seventh TD catch of the season last Saturday vs. Troy. 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.
 
WILEY COMING ON STRONG DOWN STRETCH –
Senior wide receiver Dariyan Wiley has started nine out of 10 games in the 2023 season and is second on the team with 23 receptions for 397 yards. He is averaging a team-high 17.3 yards per catch, and his 68-yard TD reception on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss is the longest passing play of the season for ULM.
 
Over the last four games, Wiley is tied for second on the team with 13 receptions for a team-high 255 yards (19.6 yards per catch). He has five explosive plays (20-plus yards) over the last two games, covering all three of his receptions on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss (three receptions, 137 yards) and his first two catches last Saturday vs. Troy. He has six games with multiple receptions this season, including a four catch, 80-yard effort with a receiving TD vs. App State on Sept. 30.
 
Wiley has played in 29 games over three seasons at ULM, posting 39 catches for 561 yards and 3 TDs.
 
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, on Oct. 23 against A-State. He now has 15 receptions for 168 yards (11.2 yards per reception) in eight games in 2023. He has 13 kickoff returns for 267 yards (20.5 yards per return) with a long of 53 yards, set last Saturday vs. Troy.
 
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 (30 career starts), center Zarian McGill (22) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (20), who have combined for 69 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (12) and right guard Tellek Lockette (12) 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 10 games of the season.
 
The Warhawks are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied for second in the SBC with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 18th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.30 per game, which ranks 35th in NCAA FBS. With 18 takeaways in nine 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 for the third straight game on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss for ULM's 18th takeaway of the season.
 
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 71 tackles (24 solos, 47 assists) and ranks 12th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 7.1 tackles per game. Batton picked up six tackles, including a quarterback hurry, last Saturday vs. Troy. He totaled five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) with half a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry on Oct. 28 vs. 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.
 
HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore linebacker Max Harris ranks second on the team with 61 tackles (21 solos, 40 assists) with an interception, a forced fumble and two pass break ups while playing in the first 10 games of the season. He had his second double-digit tackle effort of the season last Saturday vs. Troy, leading the team with 11 tackles (3 solos, 8 assists).
 
The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Harris tallied six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) with both of his pass break ups on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss. 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. He 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 snared 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).
 
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 third on the team with 56 tackles (21 solos, 35 assists) with 3.5 tackles for loss for 8 yards and is second in the Sun Belt Conference with three interceptions through the first 10 games of the 2023 season. He picked up five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) in each of the last two games.
 
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Evans totaled a team-high eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists) and half a tackle for a loss of 2 yards on Oct. 28 vs. Arkansas State. He 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.
 
HUNTINGTON BECOMES FORCE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington has been a disruptive force to the opponents' passing game over the last five weeks. After picking up a sack for a nine-yard loss on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss, Huntington sits 11th in the Sun Belt Conference with 0.55 sacks per game. Inside SBC games, he is eighth in the conference with five of his sacks, good for 0.71 sacks per game. Huntington, a transfer from Kent State, has 5.5 sacks on the season, with five of them coming in the last five games. He had two sacks each at Texas State on Oct. 14 and at Georgia Southern on Oct. 21. ULM has totaled 19 sacks for 130 yards this season. Huntington totaled seven tackles (2 solos, 5 assists) and 1.5 tackles for loss for 6 yards last Saturday vs. Troy.
 
Huntington has piled up 53 tackles (17 solos, 36 assists) while adding 10 tackles for loss for 49 yards, 5.5 sacks for 39 yards, a pass break up, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
 
On Nov. 4 at Southern Miss, Huntington had one sack for 9 yards and three tackles for loss for 11 yards. On Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern, he 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).
 
GLASS COMING UP BIG AT LINEBACKER –
Linebacker Carl Glass ranks fifth on the team with 52 tackles (20 solos, 32 assists) while adding six tackles for loss for 22 yards, 1.5 sacks for 9 yards, four quarterback hurries and is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles in 2023.
 
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Glass picked up five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) and a quarterback hurry last Saturday vs. Troy. He posted six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) including 2.5 tackles for loss of seven yards and two quarterback hurries on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss. Glass was second on the team with seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists) and added half a tackle for loss for one yard on Oct. 28 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.
 
SNYDER CONTINUES TO EMERGE AS PLAYMAKER ON D-LINE – 
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, when he entered the starting lineup. He received preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Lindy's (second team) and Phil Steel (fourth team).
 
Snyder has totaled 52 tackles (17 solos and 35 assists) with a team-best 10.5 tackles for loss for 38 yards and 4.5 sacks for 26 yards, two pass breakups, three quaterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick through the first 10 games in 2023. Snyder has 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks over the last four games, including a sack for a loss of 5 yards last Saturday vs. Troy. He has at least one tackle for loss in each of the last five games, and multiple tackles for loss in three of the last five contests. Inside SBC play, Snyder has 10 of his 10.5 tackles for loss, which ranks seventh in the league (1.43 per game). All of his sacks have come in conference games, which ranks him tied for ninth in the SBC in conference play (0.64 per game).
 
Snyder totaled four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) and a sack for five yards last Saturday vs. Troy. He led the team with nine tackles (3 solos, 6 assists) with two tackles for loss of seven yards, half a sack for three yards, a pass break up and blocked a Southern Miss field goal attempt on Nov. 4. He made a major impact on Oct. 28 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 52 tackles (12 solos, 40 assists), with 6.0 tackles for loss for 11 yards and one fumble recovery through the first 10 games of the season. He had five tackles (all assists) with half a tackle for a loss of 2 yards last Saturday vs. Troy.
 
The 6-foot-0, 285-pound Ware had eight tackles (1 solo, 7 assists) and a tackle for loss of 2 yards on Nov. 4 at Southern Miss. Ware totaled five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) with half a tackle for a loss of 1 yard at Georgia Southern on Oct. 21. He 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.
 
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 nine of the first 10 games of 2023, racking up 50 tackles (24 solos, 26 assists) with two pass break ups, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He tallied six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) last Saturday vs. Troy. He tied for third on the team with six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) and added a pass break up on Oct. 28 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.
 
WATTS DISRUPTIVE IN PASSING GAME –
Senior AJ Watts is tied for 12th in the Sun Belt Conference with 0.80 passes defended per game, registering six pass break ups and two interceptions for 33 return yards through the first 10 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) on Oct. 28 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.
 
CORLEY A MAINSTAY ON SPECIAL TEAMS –
ULM graduate long snapper Trey Corley is slated for his 57th career start on Saturday at Ole Miss. Corley, who started playing at ULM in 2018, is in his final season of eligibility at ULM. He transferred to Mississippi State in 2019 only to transfer back to ULM and resume playing football in 2020. He is ULM's career record holder for most starts.
 
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).