ULM Warhawks

 
2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 10 vs. Troy
 
Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 10 Preview vs. Troy
 
FIRST-AND-10 –
• The ULM Warhawks (2-7 overall, 0-6 Sun Belt Conference) close out the home schedule with Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day at 1 p.m. Saturday against Troy (7-2, 4-1). The Warhawks dropped last Saturday's game at Southern Miss, 24-7, while Troy won its sixth-straight game, 28-10, over South Alabama on Thursday, Nov. 2.
• Saturday's game marks the 21st meeting between ULM and Troy, with the Trojans leading the series, 11-8-1. The two teams first met on Oct. 31, 1970, with the Warhawks picking up a 14-10 win at Brown Stadium in Monroe. Since Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2005, ULM leads the series, 7-6. The Warhawks won the last meeting in Monroe, 29-16, on Sept. 25, 2021.
    Last season, Troy picked up a 34-16 home victory against ULM en route to winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Trojan running back Kimani Vidal led the way for Troy, rushing for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers threw for 145 yards and rushed for 44 yards and two TDs in the loss.
• ULM will honor nine seniors playing their final game at Malone Stadium before Saturday's contest with Troy: long snapper Trey Corley, tight end Jordan Crumpton, linebacker Ja'Terious Evans, safety Austin Goffney, wide receiver Tyrone Howell, wide receiver Jalen Jackson, tight end Nolan Quinlan, wide receiver Bud Tolbert, running back Isaiah Woullard and quarterback Jiya Wright.
• ULM's 2023 roster features six players from the state of Alabama, including freshman cornerback Evan Blalock (Mobile/Mobile Christian School), sophomore wide receiver NyNy Davis (Attalla/Etowah High School), sophomore linebacker Max Harris (Montgomery), sophomore tight end Quad Harrison (Birmingham/John Carroll Catholic HS), freshman outside linebacker La'Garrius Sims (Mobile/Mobile Christian School) and sophomore linebacker Jalen Vinson (Red Bay).
• 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 (295 of 397). Smith has gained 46 percent of his rushing yards after contact (190 of 417), including 25 of his 35 yards against Southern Miss.
• Biletnikoff Award candidate Tyrone Howell leads the Warhawks in receptions (40), receiving yards (423) and touchdown catches (six). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference with six receiving TDs (33rd in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (11th at 4.4 per game). His 20 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in six of the first nine games.
    Howell 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.
• ULM's slot receivers have come to life over the last three games.
    Sophomore wide receiver Bugs Mortimer has 11 catches for 211 yards (19.2 yards per catch) and has 133 yards after the catch over the last three contests. He has 151 yards after the catch on the season. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mortimer made his impact in the punt return game last Saturday against Southern Miss, with two explosive returns totaling 47 yards. He had five catches for 76 yards with 54 yards after the catch on Oct. 28 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 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 had touchdown receptions in back-to-back games, the first two TD grabs of his career, on Oct. 21 at Georgia Southern and on Oct. 28 vs. Arkansas State. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Davis had three receptions for 43 yards and a 12-yard TD catch 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 Blake Murphy in the second quarter. The Utah State transfer has caught 20 passes, second-most on the team, for 178 yards (8.9 yards per catch) and two TDs.
• The Warhawks are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied with Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 10th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.44 per game, which ranks 32nd in NCAA FBS. With 18 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, 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 25th in NCAA FBS in interceptions. Watts has two picks and is tied for 11th 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 vs. Troy with interceptions in three-straight 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 last Saturday. With Southern Miss up 17-0 and driving late in the first half last Saturday, 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 ninth in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 0.89 per game. Watts' two interceptions, coming against App State and Army, is tied for 11th-most in the SBC.
• After picking up a sack for a nine-yard loss last Saturday at Southern Miss, defensive tackle Adin Huntington sits in a tie for eighth in the Sun Belt Conference with 0.61 sacks per game. Huntington, a transfer from Kent State, has 5.5 sacks on the season, with five of them coming in the last four games. He had two sacks each at Texas State on Oct. 14 and at Georgia Southern on Oct. 21. ULM has totaled 17 sacks for 115 yards this season.
 
ULM/TROY SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 21st meeting between ULM and Troy, with the Trojans leading the series, 11-8-1. The two teams first met on Oct. 31, 1970, with the Warhawks picking up a 14-10 win at Brown Stadium in Monroe. Since Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2005, ULM leads the series, 7-6. The Warhawks won the last meeting in Monroe, 29-16, on Sept. 25, 2021.
 
Last season, Troy picked up a 34-16 home victory against ULM en route to winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Trojan running back Kimani Vidal led the way for Troy, rushing for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers threw for 145 yards and rushed for 44 yards and two TDs in the loss.
 
THE LAST MEETING –
Troy 34, ULM 16 (Nov. 19, 2022, in Troy, Alabama): Stingy as advertised, Troy's defense did a number on ULM Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Trojans (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt) held ULM (4-7, 3-4 Sun Belt) to 228 total yards, recorded five sacks and scored off a fumble return in a 34-16 win over the Warhawks.
 
Running back Kimani Vidal gored ULM for a career-high 242 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries to lead Troy's offense. The Trojans came in averaging 95.6 yards rushing as a team but tallied 264 against the Warhawks while winning their eighth-straight game. Cornerback Car'lin Vigers led ULM with 12 tackles.
 
The Warhawks limited Troy to 78 yards passing with one sack. Quarterback Chandler Rogers rushed for 44 yards and two touchdowns while completing 17-of-28 passes for 145 yards. ULM managed just 83 rushing yards on 33 attempts for a 2.5 average per carry.
 
Troy led 3-0 after Brooks Buce kicked a 35-yard field goal with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The Trojans scored after a nine-play, 33-yard drive. With 11:08 left before the half, Buce capped an 11-play, 58-yard drive with a 45-yard field goal to give Troy a 6-0 advantage.
 
ULM's first productive drive of the first half ended on fourth-and-5 at the Troy 37 as Rogers threw incomplete toward Tyrone Howell with 4:50 remaining in the second quarter. After stopping the Warhawks, the Trojans ran five consecutive plays through Vidal for 62 yards. On the sixth play of the 63-yard drive, DK Billingsley scored on a 1-yard plunge and Troy moved ahead 13-0 with 2:04 showing in the half.
 
ULM's frustrating first half turned uglier with 1:51 to go when Rogers fumbled after a sack by Shakel Brown. Troy's Antonio Showers recovered and scored on a 13-yard return to give the Trojans a 20-0 lead. The Warhawks finally broke through with a 27-yard field goal by Calum Sutherland as time expired at the break. ULM drove 65 yards in 11 plays over the final 1:51 to score its first points. Trailing 20-3 at the half, the Warhawks were outgained, 179 yards to 89 (101 to 4 rushing), while Troy led in time of possession, 18:07 to 11:53. The turnover that turned into a Troy touchdown added salt to the wound.
 
After forcing a ULM three-and-out to start the third quarter, Troy needed just two plays to go 45 yards and score on a Vidal 5-yard touchdown run, extending its lead to 27-3.
 
Rogers scored on a 12-yard run up the middle to give the Warhawks their first touchdown with 7:25 left in the third quarter. ULM ran 11 plays for 82 yards to narrow the deficit to 27-10.
 
Down 17 heading into the fourth quarter, ULM saw the deficit swell to 34-10 with another Vidal touchdown. Vidal carried seven times for all 54 yards before his 7-yard score with 8:46 remaining in the game. Rogers added his second touchdown on a 1-yard run with 3:14 showing on the clock for the final score. The Warhawks, who covered 75 yards in 14 plays, came up short on a pass attempt on a 2-point conversion.
 
THE LAST MEETING AT MALONE STADIUM –
ULM 29, Troy 16 (Sept. 25, 2021 in Monroe, Louisiana): The public address system at Malone Stadium provided timely background music as the Warhawks started the fourth quarter against Troy.
 
"I Won't Back Down," by Tom Petty gave ULM its anthem on a night of dominance by the home team. Swarming defense, a robust running game and a handful of big offensive plays sparked a 29-16 win over Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.
 
Ja'Cquez Williams punctuated ULM's defensive performance when he returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was ULM's first interception return for a score since Corey Straughter's 57-yard pick six at Florida State in 2019. The longest in school history was 100 yards by Pat Dennis against Nicholls State in 1998.
 
Coming off a 12-7 victory over Jackson State, ULM (2-1, 1-0 SBC) now has its first winning streak since taking four straight in 2018. The Warhawks were 24-point underdogs coming into the game, according to the odds makers but never trailed the Trojans.
 
Sophomore running back Andrew Henry provided 108 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Rhett Rodriguez completed 10-of-16 passes for 131 yards and a score.
 
Although Troy outgained the Warhawks, 364-297, the Trojans couldn't keep drives alive. ULM's defense limited Troy to 5-of-15 on third down conversions. Troy came into the game converting 48 percent on third downs (19-of-40).
 
The conference win was ULM's first since beating Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019.
 
ULM's first offensive opportunity turned into "The Zach Jackson Showcase." Jackson hauled in a 31-yard pass during the series, then finished the mission with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Rodriguez with 8:03 left in the first quarter. The Warhawks, after forcing a punt on Troy's first possession, moved 80 yards in eight plays to go ahead 7-0.
 
Still down by a touchdown, Troy faced fourth-and-7 from the ULM 39 to begin the second quarter and the Warhawks delivered a huge defensive stand. Caleb Thomas and Traveion Webster blasted through to sack Troy quarterback Taylor Powell for a 9-yard loss to the ULM 48 and a turnover on downs.
 
On the ensuing drive, Chandler Rogers took the offensive reins for ULM and directed a nine-play, 43-yard drive. Calum Sutherland's 26-yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 10-0 lead with 10:14 to go before halftime. Rogers completed a 37-yard pass to Jared Sparks and rushed five times for 26 yards to set up the kick.
 
The turnover bug bit the Warhawks with 3:44 left in the second quarter when Rogers fumbled and Troy's Javon Solomon recovered at the ULM 22. But on third-and-7, Keilos Swinney stopped Reggie Todd after a 5-yard reception and Troy was forced to settle for Brooks Buce's 32-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 10-3.
 
ULM outgained Troy, 171-136, in the first half while holding the Trojans to 3-of-10 on third down conversions. Big plays were part of the formula as ULM averaged 20.2 yards per completion while Troy was held to 7.7 yards per catch.
 
Rodriguez came out to lead the ULM offense to open the second half and directed a methodical eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive aided by a third-and-11 pass interference call. Then on fourth-and-1 at the Troy 40, Henry darted outside and raced untouched to the end zone to give ULM a 17-3 lead at the 11:56 mark of the third quarter.
 
Troy finally came to life offensively on the next drive, counter punching with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Luke Whittemore. After the seven-play, 77-yard series, the Trojans trailed 17-10 with 8:57 left in the third.
 
ULM went back up by 10 on Sutherland's 32-yard field goal with 5:19 to go in the third. The Warhawks moved 60 yards in eight plays to recoup three points after surrendering the big play.
 
The defense got in on the scoring with a safety in the fourth quarter as Shelby was credited with his fifth sack of the year. ULM led 22-10 with 13:52 to go.
 
Trailing by 12, Troy was threatening to score with 9:40 remaining when Powell's pass was broken up by Adam Sparks and plucked on the carom by Williams, who raced up the sidelines to put ULM up 29-10.
 
Sparks led the defense with 10 tackles. ULM recorded five tackles for losses, including three sacks.
 
ULM/TROY COACHING CONNECTIONS –
• Former Troy defensive coordinator Vic Koenning now holds the same title at ULM. Koenning served two tours at Troy, from 2003-04 (under head coach Larry Blakeney) and 2015-18 (under Neal Brown). During his combined six-year tenure, the Trojans won the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Championship and made four postseason bowl appearances, including three-straight trips from 2016-18. During that same three-year stretch, Troy produced a combined record of 31-8 (.795) and ranked among the top three Sun Belt teams in total defense, finishing third in 2016 (366.5 yards per game), first in 2017 (336.6 ypg.) and second in 2018 (347.9 ypg.).
 
• ULM wide receivers coach John Carr spent the three previous seasons as assistant head coach and inside receivers coach at Troy. Prior to the 2021 season, then-Trojan head coach Chip Lindsey added the title of passing game coordinator to his responsibilities. During Carr's first season at Troy, his receivers combined to produce 11 100-yard receiving games in 2019, shattering the school's previous single-season record of seven.
 
WARHAWKS FROM THE YELLOWHAMMER STATE –
ULM's 2023 roster features six players from the state of Alabama, including freshman cornerback Evan Blalock (Mobile/Mobile Christian School), sophomore wide receiver NyNy Davis (Attalla/Etowah High School), sophomore linebacker Max Harris (Montgomery), sophomore tight end Quad Harrison (Birmingham/John Carroll Catholic HS), freshman outside linebacker La'Garrius Sims (Mobile/Mobile Christian School) and sophomore linebacker Jalen Vinson (Red Bay).
 
THE LAST TIME OUT  –
Southern Miss 24, ULM 7 (Nov. 4, 2023, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi): A rocky start at "The Rock" was too much for ULM to overcome Saturday in a 24-7 loss to Southern Miss at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
 
ULM trailed 17-0 after a first quarter that featured two turnovers and a missed field goal by the Warhawks – and two one-play scoring drives for Southern Miss.
 
ULM (2-7, 0-6 Sun Belt) lost its seventh straight while Southern Miss (2-7, 1-5 Sun Belt) snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Warhawks made four turnovers overall, leading to 17 points.
 
Making his second collegiate start for ULM, freshman quarterback Blake Murphy completed 7-of-17 passes for 81 yards with three interceptions before Jiya Wright replaced him in the second quarter.
 
Wright finished 5-of-12 passing for 106 yards and one touchdown in relief. Dariyan Wiley made three catches for 137 yards including a 68-yard touchdown from Wright.
 
Southern Miss held ULM to 260 yards and 10 first downs.
 
Defensively, defensive end Kenard Snyder made nine tackles with two for loss and a pass breakup.
 
Running back Frank Gore Jr., rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries to spearhead a Southern Miss offense that generated 444 yards and 24 first downs.
 
Murphy's interception on ULM's first offensive series led to a USM touchdown one play later.  Chandler Pittman connected with Latreal Jones on a 38-yard touchdown pass and the Golden Eagles led 7-0 with 10:52 left in the first quarter.
 
Murphy redeemed himself quickly, tossing a 40-yard pass to Wiley on third down to put ULM in scoring position. The Warhawks couldn't convert the big play into points though, as Derek McCormick missed a 32-yard field goal try.
 
One play after the missed field goal, Jakarius Caston caught a pass from quarterback Billy Wiles and raced 80 yards for a touchdown and USM led 14-0 with 8:39 remaining in the first.
 
One play after the touchdown, USM intercepted Murphy for the second time in the contest. ULM's defense stiffened in the red zone with big plays from Carl Glass Jr., Kenard Snyder and Max Harris before the Golden Eagles settled for Andrew Stein's 31-yard field goal and a 17-0 lead.
 
After Murphy's third interception late in the first half, ULM turned back to opening day starting quarterback Jiya Wright. USM outgained ULM with 295 yards to 99 and collected 15 first downs to three.
 
On ULM's second offensive series of the third quarter, Wright connected with Wiley on a one-play, 68-yard touchdown pass that cut USM's lead to 17-7 with 10:33 remaining in the period.
 
The Warhawks saw a 10-play drive end at the USM 11 on a Wright fumble with 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
 
After the takeaway, Southern Miss drove 89 yards in 14 plays to score on Gore's 1-yard touchdown run. The Golden Eagles took a 24-7 lead with 7:36 left in the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• The Warhawks are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied with Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 10th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.44 per game, which ranks 32nd in NCAA FBS. With 18 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, 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 25th in NCAA FBS in interceptions. Watts has two picks and is tied for 11th 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 vs. Troy with interceptions in three-straight 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 last Saturday. With Southern Miss up 17-0 and driving late in the first half last Saturday, 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 ninth in the Sun Belt Conference in passes defended per game at 0.89 per game. Watts' two interceptions, coming against App State and Army, is tied for 11th-most in the SBC.
 
• 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, 47) and fewest penalties per game (31st, 5.22). ULM is fourth in the SBC in fewest penalty yards (429) and fewest penalty yards per game (47.67).
 
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.
 
Last Saturday at Southern Miss, Murphy struggled, throwing for 81 yards on 7-of-17 passing with three interceptions.
 
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 814 of ULM's 1,342 rushing yards (61 percent) and four of the six rushing touchdowns through the first eight games of the season. Smith has 70 carries for 417 yards and three TDs while Woullard has 84 carries for 397 yards and one TD.
 
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith leads the team in rushing yards per carry (6.0) after rushing for 418 yards on 70 carries. He leads the team in rushing TDs (3), gains of 15 or more yards (8) and first down runs (17). He has gained 190 of his 418 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 (295 of 397), 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). Last Saturday, Woullard rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries 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 (40), receiving yards (423) and touchdown catches (six). The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell is ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference with six receiving TDs (33rd in NCAA FBS) and is on the conference leaderboard for receptions per game (11th at 4.4 per game). His 20 first-down receptions also lead the Warhawks. He has led the team in receptions in six of the first nine games.
 
Howell 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 three 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. He made his biggest contributions last Saturday at Southern Miss on special teams, picking up two explosive punt returns for a total of 47 yards.
 
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mortimer had five catches for 76 yards with 54 yards after the catch on Oct. 28 vs. Arkansas State, with a long gain of 48 yards.
 
He posted the biggest stat line of his collegiate career on Oct. 21 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 nine 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 (29 career starts), center Zarian McGill (21) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (19), who have combined for 69 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (11) and right guard Tellek Lockette (11) 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 are among the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in turnover margin and takeaways. ULM is tied with Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern with 18 takeaways (including 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries), which ranks 10th in NCAA FBS. ULM is second in the SBC with a turnover margin of +0.44 per game, which ranks 32nd in NCAA FBS. With 18 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 for the third straight game last Saturday 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 65 tackles (22 solos, 43 assists) and ranks 12th in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 7.4 tackles per game. Batton had four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) last Saturday at Southern Miss. 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.
 
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 51 tackles (20 solos, 31 assists) with 3.5 tackles for loss for 8 yards and is second in the Sun Belt Conference with three interceptions through the first nine games of the 2023 season. He picked up five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) last Saturday at Southern Miss.
 
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 last Saturday 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.
 
HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore linebacker Max Harris ranks third on the team with 50 tackles (18 solos, 32 assists) with an interception, a forced fumble and two pass break ups while playing in the first nine games of the season. He tallied six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) with both of his pass break ups last Saturday at Southern Miss.
 
The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Harris 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 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).
 
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 48 tackles (15 solos and 33 assists) with a team-best 9.5 tackles for loss for 33 yards and 3.5 sacks for 21 yards, two pass breakups, three quaterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick through the first nine games in 2023. Inside Sun Belt Conference play, he ranks sixth in the league with 1.5 tackles for loss per game, with nine of his 9.5 tackles for loss coming in conference games. 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. 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.
 
GLASS COMING UP BIG AT LINEBACKER –
Linebacker Carl Glass ranks fifth on the team with 47 tackles (18 solos, 29 assists) while adding six tackles for loss for 22 yards, 1.5 sacks for 9 yards, three quarterback hurries and is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles in 2023.
 
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Glass posted six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) including 2.5 tackles for loss of seven yards and two quarterback hurries last Saturday at Southern Miss. He 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.
 
WARE DISRUPTIVE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware has posted 47 tackles (12 solos, 35 assists), with 5.5 tackles for loss for 9 yards and one fumble recovery through the first nine games of the season. He had eight tackles (1 solo, 7 assists) and a tackle for loss of 2 yards last Saturday at Southern Miss.
 
The 6-foot-0, 285-pound 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.
 
HUNTINGTON BECOMES FORCE UP FRONT –
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington has been a disruptive force to the opponents' passing game over the last four weeks. Huntington has accumulated five of his 5.5 sacks for 39 yards over the last four games, including two sacks each against Texas State on Oct. 14 and Georgia Southern on Oct. 21. He added a sack for a 9-yard loss amongst his seven tackles (4 solos, 3 assists) and three tackles for loss for 11 yards last Saturday at Southern Miss. Inside Sun Belt Conference play, Huntington ranks fourth in the SBC with 0.83 sacks per game.
 
Huntington has piled up 46 tackles (15 solos, 31 assists) while adding 8.5 tackles for loss for 43 yards, 5.5 sacks for 39 yards, a pass break up, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
 
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).
 
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 eight of the first nine games of 2023, racking up 44 tackles (21 solos, 23 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 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 ninth in the Sun Belt Conference with 0.89 passes defended per game, registering six pass break ups and two interceptions for 33 return yards through the first nine 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 26 tackles (6 solos, 20 assists) over eight 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).