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Defense Grabs Spring Game Headline with Takeaways, Negative Plays

Defense Grabs Spring Game Headline with Takeaways, Negative Plays

Football Apr 01
2023 Spring Game Final Stats
 
By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

MONROE, La.  – ULM coach Terry Bowden made a bold statement after Saturday's spring football game at Malone Stadium.

"Our number one defense has been the dominant factor in the spring," Bowden said.  "They've dominated much of the spring on the one offense. They continue to dominate out here. They made some big plays."

Cornerback Lu Tillery intercepted Jiya Wright on the first play of the controlled scrimmage, continuing a promising trend of takeaways this spring for coordinator Vic Koenning's revamped defense.

"I feel like we did well but we still need to elevate and keep going," Tillery said. "Coach Vic put an emphasis on running to the ball and being ferocious. Spring was just the start."

Overall, the defense registered 11 tackles for losses, including 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, six quarterback hurries and four pass break-ups. Defensive end Joseph Bakhole made four tackles, including two sacks

Said Wright: "Props to Coach Koenning and his defense. They've made some changes and given us some fits this spring. We've got some really good players on defense, and it's a pleasure going against them every day."

Wright settled down after the early pick and completed 6-of-13 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He comes out of the spring as ULM's presumptive starter for 2023.

"There's always something to work on," Wright said. "The biggest thing I'll continue to work on over the summer is minimizing turnovers. I thought I did a pretty good job of that. Obviously, there was a little miscommunication on the first play of the scrimmage tonight, but these are things you learn from."

Sophomore wide receiver Justin Kimber made the highlight catch of the scrimmage with a 49-yard touchdown grab from Wright. Kimber snagged the pass with one hand while falling backward into the end zone.

Bowden is hoping to see more big plays from the offense come fall.

"The biggest thing is, we've got to have explosive plays on offense," Bowden said. "I don't know that we crossed the 50-yard line much with a first down here or a first down there. I think the most important thing we need to have on offense is explosive plays. If you look around the country, whether it be TCU or Tennessee, the teams that are doing things offensively are getting the ball down the field."

Wright fired his second touchdown on an 11-yard slant pass to Alred Luke.

"It was good to get in the end zone today," Luke said. "But I definitely feel like the defense had our number called in a lot of scrimmages. But that only makes us better because we're a team."

ULM opens the 2023 season against Army at Malone Stadium on Sept. 2.
 
Lu Tillery defends Tyrone Howell during the 2023 ULM spring football game.

 
 
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