Warhawks Face Road Test at Texas A&M

Football Sep 12

Game 3: ULM (2-0) at Texas A&M (1-1)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 3:01 p.m.
Kyle Field (102,733) | College Station, Texas
SEC Network | KLIP 105.3 FM

2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 3 vs. Texas A&M

Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 3 Preview vs. Texas A&M

FIRST-AND-10 –
• ULM aims for its first 3-0 start as a member of the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (1994-present) when it visits Texas A&M at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field. The Warhawks last started 3-0 when then-Northeast Louisiana started 4-0 on its way to the 1987 NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship. ULM is coming off of a 24-14 win over Lamar last Saturday at Malone Stadium, while Texas A&M lost at RV/RV Miami (Fla.), 48-33.

• ULM is off to a 2-0 start for the 12th time since becoming a four-year college in 1951 and for the first time since 2018. The Warhawks have produced winning records in eight of those previous 11 seasons, including a 13-2 worksheet while en route to the NCAA I-AA National Championship in 1987.

• Saturday's game between ULM and Texas A&M is the fifth all-time meeting between the Warhawks and Aggies and the first since Sept. 15, 2018, when A&M defeated ULM, 48-10, in College Station. The two teams have met three times since 2007, with the Aggies defeating the Warhawks 54-14 on Sept. 15, 2007, and holding off ULM, 21-16, on Nov. 1, 2014. The first meeting was a 31-17 A&M victory on Sept. 21, 1985.

• College Football Hall of Famer John David Crow is the biggest connection between ULM and Texas A&M. Crow won the 1957 Heisman Trophy while playing at Texas A&M for legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He served as head coach and athletic director at then-Northeast Louisiana University from December 1975 to 1981. He led NLU to a 20-34-1 record over his five seasons as head coach from 1976-80. Crow later returned to athletic administration as the assistant athletic director at Texas A&M from 1983-88 before serving as athletic director from 1988-93.

Forty years ago in 1983, first-year Salem (West Virginia) College head coach Terry Bowden recruited Jimbo Fisher, a quarterback from Liberty High School in Clarksburg, W.Va. Fisher initially accepted a baseball scholarship offer to Clemson, but returned home after one semester. In 1984, he enrolled at Salem and became the starting quarterback for the next two seasons.

In 1986, Fisher remained the starting quarterback at Salem while Bowden spent the season as quarterbacks coach at Akron. In 1987, Bowden was named head coach at Samford and Fisher followed for his final season of eligibility and became the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year after throwing for 2,394 yards and 34 touchdowns as the Bulldogs finished 9-1.

Fisher spent a total of 13 years as a player and coach with Bowden, including four seasons at Samford (1989-92) and six more at Auburn (1993-98).

• The Warhawks have compiled a 4-50-1 record (.082) against current members of the Southeastern Conference. 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 21 players from the state of Texas, including one projected starter on offense and four on defense: left guard Elijah Fisher (Allen), bandit Ja'Terious Evans (Center), linebacker Michael Batton (Houston/Seven Lakes HS), rover Austin Goffney (Cypress/Cy Ranch).

• ULM's revamped running back room continued its hot start to 2023 against Lamar. Sophomore Hunter Smith and graduate student Isaiah Woullard combined for 214 of ULM's 285 rushing yards against the Cardinals last Saturday. Woullard rushed 14 times for 113 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and added a key 44-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up Derek McCormick's field goal to push the lead to 10, 24-14. Woullard provided 81 of his 113 yards after contact. Smith carried the ball 13 times for 101 yards (7.8 yards per carry) and scored a 27-yard TD run in the first quarter, his second TD of the season. It was Smith's second-straight 100-yard rushing day, and the first time two Warhawk rushers topped 100 yards in the same game since Josh Johnson (168 yards) and Caleb Evans (110 yards) did so against Georgia State on Nov. 9, 2019. Smith and Woullard have combined for 373 of ULM's 492 rushing yards through two games. Smith leads the Football Bowl Subdivision by averaging 10.2 rushing yards per carry while Woullard ranks 19th at 7.0 yards per carry.

• Junior defensive lineman Adin 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 against Lamar last Saturday. For his effort, he was named the 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). ULM has seven takeaways in its first two games in 2023 after totaling eight all of last season.

• 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 the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week. Goffney played for the Cardinals in 2021-22, and previously played at Abilene Christian.

• ULM has played disciplined football over its first two games, ranking near the top of the nation in turnover margin and fewest penalties. The Warhawks rank third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in turnovers gained (7), fourth in turnover margin (+2.50), 20th in fewest penatly yards per game (32.50), 24th in fewest penalties per game (4.0) and 36th in turnovers lost (2).

CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) –
ULM Offense: 3 graduates, 4 juniors, 4 sophomores
ULM Defense: 1 graduate, 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores
TAMU Offense: 3 graduates, 1 junior, 5 sophomores, 2 freshmen
TAMU Defense: 1 graduate, 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman

2023 STAT LEADERS –
ULM (2 games):
Rushing – Hunter Smith (20 carries for 204 yards, 10.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Hunter Herring (16 of 30, 53%, for 121 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving – Tyrone Howell (13 catches for 132 yards, 10.2 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Adin Huntington (19 tackles, 4 solos, 15 assists, 1 TFL, 0.5 sack)

Texas A&M (2 games):
Rushing – Amari Daniels (25 carries, 113 yards, 4.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Conner Weigman (49 of 76, 64%, for 572 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Evan Stewart (19 catches for 257 yards, 13.5 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Edgerrin Cooper (14 tackles, 7 solos, 7 assists, 4.0 TFLs, 1 QBH, 1 FR)

THE LAST MEETING –
Texas A&M 48, ULM 10 (Sept. 15, 2018, in College Station, Texas): ULM went toe to toe with Texas A&M for a half on Saturday night at Kyle Field before falling 48-10.

Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 15-for-28 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown with one interception as the Warhawks accumulated 328 total yards against their Southeastern Conference foes.

ULM (2-1) trailed by two touchdowns at the half and could have been closer if not for a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Warhawks were shut out in the second half though as the deficit grew.

Texas A&M (2-1) rolled up 530 total yards as Kellen Mond passed for 210 yards and a touchdown and ran for 67 yards and two more scores.

The Aggies drove 84 yards on nine plays on their first offensive series and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Trayveon Williams. Williams led the Aggies with 128 yards rushing on 22 attempts.

ULM got on the board with 1:08 left in the first quarter when Craig Ford booted a 27-yard field goal. The Warhawks scored off their 11-play, 67-yard drive and trailed 7-3 after the opening period.

Texas A&M scored 10 unanswered points in the second quarter on Mond's 7-yard run and a 40-yard field goal by Seth Small, the first of his career.

Down 17-3, ULM mounted a 10-play, 63-yard drive to the A&M 12 but couldn't get into the end zone. Then Daylon Mack broke through to block a 28-yard field-goal attempt by Ford and Tyrel Dodson returned it 78 yards for a touchdown and a 24-3 lead with 1:21 left in the half.

The Warhawks finished the half on a better note as Evans hit passes covering 34 yards to Markis McCray and 36 yards to Zach Jackson (his first career catch) to reach the A&M 3. Two plays later, Evans found R.J. Turner for a 2-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 24-10 with four seconds to go in the second quarter.

Despite trailing by two touchdowns at the half, ULM actually outgained the home team with 261 to 218 total yards but came away with just 10 points in three red zone trips.

ULM couldn't get anything going offensively in the third quarter and fell further behind. The Warhawks ran just nine plays for 28 yards and punted twice.

The Aggies ground out another touchdown on a 9-yard run by Mond with 6:05 left in the third quarter to extend the lead to 31-10. A&M covered 54 yards on seven plays on their second series of the second half.

Texas A&M led 34-10 after Small's 36-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the third.

The theme continued in the fourth quarter as Mond found tight end Jace Sternberger for a 20-yard touchdown with 8:05 to go in the game.

The Aggies tacked on a final score on a 2-yard run by Jashaun Corbin with 39 seconds showing on the clock.

TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY –
Saturday's game between ULM and Texas A&M is the fifth all-time meeting between the Warhawks and Aggies and the first since Sept. 15, 2018, when A&M defeated ULM, 48-10, in College Station. The two teams have met three times since 2007, with the Aggies defeating the Warhawks 54-14 on Sept. 15, 2007, and holding off ULM, 21-16, on Nov. 1, 2014. The first meeting was a 31-17 A&M victory on Sept. 21, 1985.

CROW'S CONNECTION –
College Football Hall of Famer John David Crow is the biggest connection between ULM and Texas A&M. A native of Marion, Louisiana, who briefly lived in Bastrop before his family moved to Springhill, Crow won the 1957 Heisman Trophy while playing at Texas A&M for legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. After his playing career, Crow entered coaching as an assistant with Bryant at Alabama, followed by jobs with the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers. He took his only head coaching job and served as athletic director at then-Northeast Louisiana University, coaching from 1976-80 before resigning in 1981 to go into private business. He led NLU to a 20-34-1 record over his five seasons as head coach. Crow later returned to athletic administration as the assistant athletic director at Texas A&M from 1983-88 before serving as athletic director from 1988-93. Crow's name is enshrined on the Director of Athletics' office at ULM. He died in 2015 in Bryan, Texas, three weeks shy of his 80th birthday.

BOWDEN AND FISHER ADD ANOTHER CHAPTER IN LONG HISTORY –
Forty years ago in 1983, first-year Salem (West Virginia) College head coach Terry Bowden recruited Jimbo Fisher, a quarterback from Liberty High School in Clarksburg, W.Va. Fisher initially accepted a baseball scholarship offer to Clemson, but returned home after one semester. In 1984, he enrolled at Salem and became the starting quarterback for the next two seasons.

In 1986, Fisher remained the starting quarterback at Salem while Bowden spent the season as quarterbacks coach at Akron. In 1987, Bowden was named head coach at Samford and Fisher followed for his final season of eligibility and became the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year after throwing for 2,394 yards and 34 touchdowns as the Bulldogs finished 9-1.

Fisher spent a total of 13 years as a player and coach with Bowden, including four seasons at Samford (1989-92) and six more at Auburn (1993-98).

During his tenure with ABC Sports, Bowden helped recruit Fisher to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2007-09) for his late father Bobby at Florida State. By the end of his first season in Tallahassee, Fisher was tabbed to become Bobby's successor and was appointed FSU's head coach in 2010.

Bowden was raised in Morgantown – less than 40 miles from where Fisher grew up in Clarksburg, W.Va.

BOWDEN/TEXAS A&M COACHING CONNECTION, PART 2 –
Texas A&M wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig was a two-year starter for Terry Bowden at Auburn from 1996-97, helping the Tigers to a combined record of 18-7 including a pair of postseason bowl victories (1996 Independence Bowl: defeated Army, 32-29; 1998 Peach Bowl: defeated Clemson, 21-17). In 1997, Craig became the first 3,000-yard passer in Auburn history, throwing for 3,277 yards and 18 touchdowns as the Tigers claimed the SEC Western Division Championship and finished No. 11 in both The Associated Press and United Press International Polls.

WARHAWKS FROM THE LONE STAR STATE –
ULM's 2023 roster features 21 players from the state of Texas, including one projected starter on offense and four on defense: left guard Elijah Fisher (Allen), bandit Ja'Terious Evans (Center), linebacker Michael Batton (Houston/Seven Lakes HS), rover Austin Goffney (Cypress/Cy Ranch) and rover Tristan Driggers (Hallsville).

WARHAWKS vs. SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS –
The Warhawks have compiled a 4-50-1 record (.082) 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 0-5 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 –
ULM 24, Lamar 14 (Sept. 9, 2023, in Monroe, Louisiana): ULM's 24-14 win over Lamar wasn't the runaway it appeared to be early, but the Warhawks will take it.

ULM built a three-touchdown lead in the first half and held on to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2018.

The Warhawks rushed for 285 yards, behind big games from running backs Isaiah Woullard and Hunter Smith. Woullard tallied a career-best 113 yards on 14 carries and Smith added 101 yards and a score as the Warhawks posted two 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2019 when Josh Johnson and Caleb Evans achieved the feat in a win over Georgia State.

Defensive tackle Adin Huntington made a career-high 14 tackles with a tackle for loss, including half a sack. ULM limited Lamar to 311 yards, made seven tackles for losses, including four sacks, and had two takeaways. Linebacker Michael Batton added 10 stops and defensive tackle James Smith registered 3.5 tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks, against the Cardinals (0-2).

Quarterback Hunter Herring in his first collegiate start completed 12-of-21 passes for 99 yards and netted 55 rushing yards on nine carries. Herring departed late in the fourth quarter after absorbing a big hit and was replaced by Game 1 starter Jiya Wright.

Lamar appeared poised to take the lead on its first drive, but the threat ended with a ULM interception off a fake field goal attempt. Austin Goffney, a transfer from Lamar, picked off holder Major Bowden's pass at the goal line to give the Warhawks the momentum-shifting takeaway.

Smith flashed his big-play ability with a 27-yard touchdown run that gave ULM the 7-0 lead with 43 seconds left in the first quarter. Smith bounced outside and outran the defense toward the left pylon to cap a nine-play, 60-yard drive.

ULM's red zone defense continued to shine in the first half as Lamar kicker Chris Esqueda missed a 32-yard field goal attempt, squandering an 11-play, 60-yard drive.

The Warhawks took a 14-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first half when Car'lin Vigers blocked a punt at the Lamar 10 recovered by Tristan Driggers in the end zone for the touchdown.

On Lamar's next offensive series, ULM rover Max Harris wrestled an interception away from tight end JaCorey Hyder. Six plays and 63 yards later, the Warhawks took a 21-0 lead as 235-pound running back Thad Franklin powered in a 1-yard touchdown run. Huntington, the 281-pounder, lined up at fullback to pave the way in ULM's jumbo package.

An uneventful third quarter featured three punts, but Lamar was driving entering the final period. Lamar quarterback Robert Coleman hit Major Bowden on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 12:37 left in the game to narrow the score to 21-7. The Cardinals converted on fourth-and-2 to finish their 12-play, 72-yard drive.

After forcing a ULM punt, Lamar's second-half turnaround continued with a 47-yard touchdown run by Izaha Jones to cut the lead to 21-14 with 8:16 to go. The Cardinals needed just four plays to cover 63 yards.

Woullard popped a 44-yard run to the Lamar 28 for a ULM offense that slumbered much of the second half. Derek McCormick's 30-yard field goal with 3:35 to play boosted the lead to 24-14, finishing a nine-play, 59-yard drive.

P-40 WARHAWK HELMETS CONTINUE VS. TEXAS A&M –
ULM will don its P-40 series alternate helmet for Saturday's game at Texas A&M. The Curtiss P-40 Warhawks constituted the principal armament of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAFF) fighter squadrons in the early 1940s. In the summer of 1941, Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, who grew up in Louisiana, began recruiting and training pilots for the American Volunteer Group, who became known as the "Flying Tigers" in China during World War II. The P-40 Warhawk served as inspiration for ULM's new nickname/mascot, adopted in 2006.

In the 2021 home finale against Arkansas State, ULM introduced the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk alternate helmet, a visual concept created by local marketing specialists Jonathan Perry and Michael Jordan (owner at Lore) that features the iconic shark grin, razor teeth and wagging tongue. Saturday's game marks the eighth time ULM has worn the helmets, doing so in 2021 against A-State, in 2022 against Texas State, Georgia State, Troy and Southern Miss and in 2023 against Army and Lamar.

HERRING SPARKS WARHAWKS TO PAIR OF WINS –
Sophomore quarterback Hunter Herring made his first career start last Saturday vs. Lamar, completing 12-of-21 passes for 99 yards while rushing for 55 yards on nine carries (6.1 yards per carry) before exiting the game with an arm injury.

Herring entered the Army contest with ULM's first drive in the fourth quarter and helped spark a pair of scoring drives. The West Monroe, Louisiana, native took his first snap at the 12:53 mark of the fourth quarter and led the offense to 153 total yards (131 rushing, 22 passing) in the final quarter. ULM totaled 298 yards of offense for the game. He converted a quarterback sneak for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the ULM 34-yard line, and had a 5-yard carry on third-and-4 from the Warhawk 41-yard line for a first down later in the quarter. He was 4-of-9 passing, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Howell in the back right corner of the endzone to give ULM the lead with 2:48 remaining.

Herring returned to northeast Louisiana after spending the 2021 season with the Ragin' Cajuns. He was a 2021 graduate of Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, where he ranked as one of the nation's top quarterbacks by 247Sports (No. 113 overall; No. 47 dual-threat QB) and ESPN (No. 75 pocket passer). Herring also rated among the state's top overall prospects by Rivals (No. 29), 247Sports (No. 50) and ESPN (No. 52). He was a two-year starter at OCS, accounting for 4,950 total yards and 82 touchdowns while leading OCS to a combined record of 22-3 (.880) in 2019-20. He was a two-time Class 1A first-team all-state selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

SMITH, WOULLARD PROVIDE BIG PLAYS WITH RUSHING ATTACK –
ULM's revamped running back room continued its hot start to 2023 against Lamar. Graduate student Isaiah Woullard and sophomore Hunter Smith combined for 214 of ULM's 285 rushing yards against the Cardinals last Saturday. Smith leads the Football Bowl Subdivision by averaging 10.2 rushing yards per carry while Woullard ranks 19th at 7.0 yards per carry.

Woullard, a graduate transfer from Ole Miss, recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game, his first as a Warhawk against Lamar, finishing with a career-best 113 yards on 14 carries (8.1 yards per carry). His first 100-game came five years ago in his first career start at Vanderbilt (107 yards on 16 attempts). He added a key 44-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up Derek McCormick's field goal to push the lead to 10, 24-14. Woullard provided 81 of his 113 yards after contact.

Smith carried the ball 13 times for 101 yards (7.8 yards per carry) against Lamar and scored a 27-yard TD run in the first quarter, his second TD of the season. It was Smith's second-straight 100-yard rushing day, and the first time two Warhawk rushers topped 100 yards in the same game since Josh Johnson (168 yards) and Caleb Evans (110 yards) did so against Georgia State on Nov. 9, 2019. Smith and Woullard have combined for 373 of ULM's 492 rushing yards through two games.

Smith has produced nine first downs on 20 carries (45 percent), including five gains of 15 or more yards. The 5-11, 181-pound Smith has picked up 63 of his team-leading 204 rushing yards after contact (31 percent).

The duo led a potent rushing attack against Army. Smith and Woullard combined for 159 of ULM's 207 rushing yards.

Smith, who entered the Army game with just two career carries for nine yards, had his first career 100-yard game, taking seven carries for 103 yards and had a 62-yard touchdown run with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter to pull the Warhawks within one score, 13-10. Smith also had a 21-yard carry in the third quarter.

Woullard totaled 10 carries for 56 yards. He had a critical 33-yard run in the fourth quarter which helped set up the go-ahead touchdown pass from Hunter Herring to Tyrone Howell.

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.

The Warhawks are building the ground attack around Smith, who had an impressive spring, as well as a pair of transfers, in Woullard and Thad Franklin Jr. (Miami-Fla.). Both Woullard (5-9, 215) and Franklin (6-0, 235) provide ULM with the option of utilizing a "bigger back" in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Franklin made his first appearance as a Warhawk with a 1-yard TD run against Lamar last Saturday. In 13 career games with the Hurricanes (2021-22), Franklin gained 381 yards on 73 attempts and scored seven TDs.

Smith (5-11, 181) saw action primarily on special teams in 2022.

A four-year letterman at Ole Miss (2018-22; redshirted 2021), Woullard rushed 103 times for 472 career yards (4.6 avg.) and four TDs. He gained notoriety at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, setting the state's all-time rushing record with 8,294 career yards.

HOWELL AIMS TO BUILD OFF BREAKOUT 2022 CAMPAIGN –
Graduate wide receiver Tyrone Howell leads ULM with 13 catches for 132 yards (10.2 yards per catch) and one touchdown through two games. Seven of Howell's team-leading 13 receptions have resulted in first downs (54 percent). Howell also leads the team in yards after catch with 55. He had four grabs for 65 yards last Saturday against Lamar. He opened the season with nine receptions for 67 yards, including a spectacular one-handed game-winning touchdown grab on a 9-yard toss from Hunter Herring in the back, right corner of the end zone with 2:48 left, as ULM rallied from a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit for a 17-13 win over Army on Sept. 2. Three of Howell's catches resulted in first downs.

Howell, who led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (852) and touchdown receptions (6) in 2022, has been named to the 2023 Preseason Watch List for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually since 1994 to the outstanding Football Bowl Subdivision receiver, regardless of position, by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, and the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List.

The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Howell also has earned preseason All-Sun Belt recognition from Pro Football Focus (first team), Athlon Sports (first team), conference's head coaches and media panel (second team), Phil Steele (second team) and College Football Network (second team).

Howell received All-Sun Belt Second-Team recognition following his breakout junior season. He led the team in receptions in five of the last six games in 2022 and finished with three 100-yard receiving games.

In Sun Belt Conference games, Howell led the league in receiving yards per game (98.3), receiving yards (786), yards per catch (20.7) and TD catches (6; tied with Georgia State's Jamari Thrash). He tied TCU's Taye Barber and Nebraska's Trey Palmer for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead with three receptions of 70 or more yards, including an 89-yard reception against the Ragin' Cajuns and 75- and 83-yard TD receptions at South Alabama. He ranked 32nd in FBS and sixth in the SBC in yards per reception at 17.04.

He had 39 of his 50 receptions over the last seven games, going for 668 of his 852 yards and all six of his TDs. Howell also led the team in first down receptions (33), explosive receptions (12, 20-plus yards) and yards after catch (459). His 459 YAC total was good for fourth among SBC receivers (No. 23 in NCAA FBS).

The Idabel, Oklahoma, native had a career-best 12 receptions for 176 yards and two scores (46 and 18 yards) in ULM's 31-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas State.

Howell set career highs for receiving yards (244) and TD receptions (3) on nine catches at South Alabama. He scored on receptions of 75, 25 and 83 yards from Chandler Rogers. He picked up 151 of his 244 receiving yards after the catch. With ULM trailing 41-20, Howell caught three passes for 104 yards and one score in the fourth quarter alone. His three TD catches (tied for third) and 244 receiving yards (fourth) ranked among the top single-game totals posted in the NCAA FBS in 2022. For his effort, he was named to the Pro Football Focus College National Offensive Team of the Week.

His 244 receiving yards marked the second-highest single-game total in ULM history, trailing only Stepfret Williams who caught 10 passes for 264 yards at Nevada in 1995. His three TD receptions tied the third-highest single-game total in school history – just one shy of the record shared by Brent Leonard (4 vs. South Alabama, 2012) and Williams (4 vs. Nevada, 1995).

He posted his first 100-yard receiving game as a Warhawk against the Ragin' Cajuns. Howell caught three passes for 124 yards, including an 89-yard catch-and-run to set up ULM's go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. His 89-yard reception ranked as the fourth-longest pass play in school history.

LEWIS EARNS WEEK ONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOR –
Junior right tackle Keydrell Lewis was named to the College Football Network National Team of the Week following his performance in the Sept. 2 season opening win over Army. Lewis graded out at 84% over 64 offensive snaps in the win. He was part of an offensive line that paved way for ULM to rush for 207 yards on 32 carries (6.5 yards per rush) against Army and 285 yards on 40 carries (7.1 yards per rush) last Saturday against Lamar.

FIVE WARHAWKS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSIVE LINE –
ULM will rebuild its offensive line around three veterans, in right tackle Keydrell Lewis (22 career starts), center Zarian McGill (14) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (12), who have combined for 48 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (5) and right guard Tellek Lockette (5) 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. 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 FINDING SUCCESS EARLY –
ULM's newfound athleticism and speed on the defensive side of the ball has been on display over the first two weeks of the season. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning's group leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 26th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring defense (13.5 points allowed per game) and third in the SBC and 40th in FBS in total defense (295.0 yards per game). The Warhawks have forced seven turnovers, which is third most in the FBS. ULM's four interceptions ranks sixth in the FBS and its three fumbles recovered is second in FBS. Last season, ULM came up with just eight turnovers all season.

In the 24-14 win over Lamar last Saturday, 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. Ja'Terious Evans and A.J. Watts came up with interceptions for ULM, Carl Glass, Norman Massey and Car'lin Vigers forced fumbles and Lu Tillery, Vigers and 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).

HUNTINGTON TURNS INTO TACKLING MACHINE VS. LAMAR –
Defensive lineman Adin 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 Saturday night. For his effot, Huntington was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week. The Warhawk defense produced seven tackles for loss (34 yards), including four sacks (25 yards), and forced two turnovers (both interceptions).

Huntington, a junior transfer from Kent State, emerged from spring practice as the top candidate to replace two-year starter Caleb Thomas at defensive tackle. He was a preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth-Team selection by Phil Steele. His explosiveness and athleticism were on full display during ULM's summer conditioning program, posting personal bests of 665 pounds in the squat, 435 on the bench, 4.72 in the 40 as well as a 38-inch vertical jump. He recorded 45 tackles (24 solos, 21 assists) over the last three seasons at Kent State (22 career games), with eight resulting in losses (42 yards) including three sacks (27 yards).

SMITH MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN IN OPPONENTS' BACKFIELD –
Red-shirt freshman defensive lineman James Smith had his breakout game against Lamar last Saturday. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native had a career-high six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists), including 3.5 tackles for loss for 20 yards and 2.5 sacks for 16 yards, against the Cardinals. He entered the game with two tackles, including one sack for five yards, in five career games.

WARE DISRUPTIVE UP FRONT AGAINST ARMY –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware has totaled 13 tackles (3 solos, 10 assists) with 1.5 tackles for loss for 2 yards and one fumble recovery through the first two weeks of the season. 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. Ware's fumble recovery in the first quarter ended Army's first trip into the Warhawk red zone.

Ware was rated among Mississippi's Top 50 JUCO prospects by 247Sports (No. 46) at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, in 2022. He was a three-time All-MACCC South First-Team selection and a two-time NJCAA All-Region 23 pick. His JUCO career totals included 86 tackles, with 19.5 for losses including 4.5 sacks. He ranked second on the Eagles in tackles (37: 14 solos, 23 assists) and tackles for loss (11.5 for 49 yards) as a third-year sophomore in 2022.

SNYDER EMERGES AS PLAYMAKER ON D-LINE IN 2022 –
Defensive end Kenard Snyder, who led ULM in tackles for loss (10 for 22 yards) and ranked third overall in tackles with 61 (36 solos, 25 assists), was selected honorable mention Freshman All-American by College Football News in 2022. The 6-1, 257-pound Snyder averaged 6.3 tackles over the last eight games since entering the starting lineup. He received preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Lindy's (second team) and Phil Steel (fourth team).

Snyder has nine tackles (1 solo and 8 assists) and half a tackle for loss for 1 yard through the first two games in 2023. He had five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) and a quarterback hurry against Army on Sept. 2.

Last season, Snyder was credited with eight stops (5 solos, 3 assists) in ULM's 31-28 win at Georgia State and matched his career high with three tackles for loss (7 yards).

He made seven stops (3 solos, 4 assists) at Army, including a half tackle for loss.

The Vero Beach, Florida, native led the team with a career-high 11 tackles at South Alabama, including one for a 2-yard loss.

Snyder recorded nine stops (7 solos, 2 assists) in his first career start at Arkansas State, with three resulting in losses (7 yards) including his first career sack (3 yards).

EVANS LEADS REVAMPED WARHAWK DEFENSE IN WEEK ONE –
Graduate student Ja'Terious Evans has been active early for ULM, totaling 16 tackles (3 solos, 13 assists) with two tackles for loss for five yards and an interception through the first two games of the 2023 season. He had five tackles, all assists, with half a tackle for loss for 2 yards against Lamar last Saturday.

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.

"BATMAN" FLIES INTO 2023 –
Mike linebacker Michael Batton ranks second on the team with 17 tackles (1 solo, 16 assists) through the first two weeks of the 2023 season. He has one tackle for loss for 4 yards and half a sack for 3 yards, both coming last Saturday vs. Lamar, where he added 10 tackles, all assists. In the Sept. 2 season opener against Army, he collected seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists).

Batton (45 total tackles: 31 solos, 14 assists) finished fifth on the Warhawks in tackles in 2022. The 6-2, 215-pound Batton averaged 10.3 tackles over the last three games of the season, including a pair of double-figure efforts at Georgia State (career-high 16 stops) and against Southern Miss (10) in the home finale.

Batton took advantage of extended playing time at Georgia State, posting a career-high 16 tackles, including 15 solos, with one forced fumble, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry in the Warhawks' 31-28 victory. Nicknamed "Batman," Batton played 70 snaps against the Panthers at Will linebacker in place of leading tackler Tristan Driggers, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He entered the game at GSU with 14 tackles on the season.

He contributed five stops each against Nicholls (1 solo, 4 assists) and at Troy (3 solos, 2 assists).

Prior to ULM, Batton played quarterback at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. He was 6-3 in nine starts last year, 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.

BIG PLAY VIGERS STRIKES AGAIN –
Car'lin Vigers continues to make big plays for ULM on defense and special teams. Last Saturday 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.

Vigers, who started the last three games of the 2022 season at free safety, ranked eighth 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 is expected to transition back to his normal position of cornerback, was named to preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team by Pro Football Focus.

TILLERY RETURNS AT CORNER –
Cornerback Lu Tillery accounted for two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and recovered a fumble in the Sept. 2 season opener against Army. Tillery (44 total tackles: 29 solos, 15 assists) was sixth on the team in tackles in 2022. The 5-10, 180-pound Tillery contributed four sacks for 34 yards, with three of those coming in back-to-back road games at Georgia State (2 for 18 yards) and Troy (1 for 12).

DRIGGERS MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN IN 2022 –
Rover Tristan Driggers, recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in last Saturday's 24-14 win over Lamar. The punt was blocked by Car'lin Vigers and bounced into the end zone, where Driggers jumped on it for his first career TD. He had two tackles, both assists, against Army on Sept. 2.

Driggers, who led the Warhawks with three interceptions, finished second on the team in tackles with 63 (37 solos, 26 assists) in 2022. His 4.5 tackles for loss (19 yards) ranked fifth on the team. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Driggers was named to Phil Steele's preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth Team.

He assisted on seven stops at Troy, including a half tackle for loss of 1 yard, and was credited with one pass break-up.

Driggers produced nine tackles in ULM's 31-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas State, including eight solo hits with one resulting in a 2-yard loss.

He contributed eight stops each in back-to-back road games at South Alabama (5 solos, 3 assists) and Army (3 solos, 5 assists). He recorded a career-best two tackles for loss at USA, including his first career sack (7 yards).

The Hallsville, Texas, native made five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) and a pass break-up against Coastal Carolina.

Driggers reached double figures in tackles for the first time in a Warhawk uniform at Arkansas State, finishing with a team-leading 10 stops (8 solos, 2 assists).

He intercepted a pass for the third game in a row to start the season at No. 2/1 Alabama. On the Crimson Tide's second offensive series, Driggers ranged back and intercepted Bryce Young's pass while falling backwards.

Driggers registered a team-high eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists) in ULM's 35-7 victory over Nicholls, including one for a 5-yard loss, and intercepted a pass. On a third-and-3 play late in the second quarter, Driggers intercepted Kohen Granier's pass attempt and returned it 10 yards to the Nicholls' 33-yard line. His pick set up ULM's go-ahead score as Malik Jackson crossed the goal line three plays later on an 8-yard run for a 14-7 lead. The Warhawk defense pitched a shutout over the last three quarters and allowed only 198 total yards during that stretch.

Driggers also came up with an interception in the first half in the 2022 season opener at Texas.

HARRIS COMES UP WITH FIRST TURNOVER AT ULM –
Sophomore defensive back Max Harris posted his first interception at ULM in last Saturday's 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. Harris' 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.

He opened the season with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists) against Army West Point on Sept. 2.

Harris, a transfer from Incarnate Word, appeared in nine games for UIW in 2022, picking up 26 tackles (16 solos, 10 assists) including 2.5 for losses (14 yards).

GOFFNEY HAS BIG GAME AGAINST FORMER TEAM –
Playing against his former team, graduate student Austin Goffney intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it 30 yards, off a fake field-goal attempt by Lamar in the first quarter, and recorded four tackles. Thanks to his interception, Goffney was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week. Goffney played for the Cardinals in 2021-22, and previously played at Abilene Christian.

Goffney played two seasons at Lamar after transfering from Abilene Christian. He 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.

ELEVEN GRADUATES LISTED ON 2023 ULM FOOTBALL ROSTER –
Eleven members of the 2023 ULM football team already have earned their bachelor's degrees: snapper Trey Corley, outside linebacker Ja'Terious Evans, linebacker Austin Goffney, wide receiver Tyrone Howell, wide receiver Jalen Jackson, tight end Garrett Kahmann, tight end Nolan Quinlan, running back Isaiah Woullard, offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins, wide receiver Dariyan Wiley and quarterback Jiya Wright.

Those 11 student-athletes wear a Sun Belt Conference graduate patch on their jersey.

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 RANKS AMONG NCAA FBS WINNINGEST ACTIVE HEAD COACHES –
ULM's Terry Bowden ranks eighth among NCAA FBS winningest active head coaches with 185 career victories, trailing only Alabama's Nick Saban (281), North Carolina's Mack Brown (276), LSU's Brian Kelly (274), Sam Houston's K.C. Keeler (259), Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (200), Tulane's Willie Fritz (198) and Eastern Michigan's Chris Creighton (186).

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).

NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM players rank among the NCAA individual stat leaders:

Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Receptions Per Game: Tyrone Howell (25th at 6.5 receptions per game)
Rush Yards Per Carry: Hunter Smith (1st at 10.2 yards per carry); Isaiah Woullard (19th at 7.0 ypc.)
Rushing Yards: Hunter Smith (30th at 204 rushing yards); Isaiah Woullard (45th at 169 rushing yards)
Rushing Yards Per Game: Hunter Smith (24th at 102.0 rushing yards per game); Isaiah Woullard (37th at 84.5 rushing ypg.)
Total Tackles: Adin Huntington (33rd at 9.5 tackles per game)
Tackles For Loss: James Smith (8th at 2.0 tackles for loss per game)
Sacks: James Smith (13th at 1.25 sacks per game)
Forced Fumbles: Carl Glass/Norman Massey/Car'lin Vigers (16th at 0.5 forced fumbles per game)
Fumbles Recovered: Lu Tillery/Car'lin Vigers and Jaylan Ware (7th at 1 fumble recovery)
Total Interceptions: Ja'Terious Evans/Austin Goffney/Max Harris/A.J. Watts (25th at 1 interception)
Interceptions Per Game: Ja'Terious Evans/Austin Goffney/Max Harris/A.J. Watts (25th at 0.5 interceptions per game)
Passes Defended: A.J. Watts (20th at 1.5 passes defended per game)

WARHAWK SINGLE-GAME BESTS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's a look at the top single-game totals produced by ULM during head coach Terry Bowden's tenure (2021-present; 26 games):

Rushing Yards: 285 vs. Lamar, 2021

Passing Yards: 371 vs. South Alabama, 2022

Total Yards: 555 vs. South Alabama, 2021

First Downs: 28 at Texas State, 2021

Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: 11 yards by Jackson State, 2021

Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 41 by Army, 2022

Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 270 by Jackson State, 2021

Fewest First Downs Allowed: 13 by Army, 2023

Sacks By: 4 vs. Lamar, 2023; at Georgia State, 2022; at Kentucky, vs. Liberty, vs. South Alabama, 2021

Turnovers Forced: 5 vs. Army, 2023

Points (Game): 41 vs. South Alabama, 2021

Points (Half): 31 (2) vs. Liberty, 2021

Points (Quarter): 28 (3) vs. Liberty, 2021

Victory Margin: 28 vs. Nicholls, 2022

Fewest Points Allowed (Game): 7 by Nicholls, 2022; Jackson State, 2021

WARHAWK TRENDS UNDER BOWDEN –
Here's how ULM has fared under second-year head coach Terry Bowden (2021-current: 26 games):

2023 / OVERALL
Games played in Malone Stadium: 2-0 / 9-4
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-0 / 1-12

Games played in August: 0-0 / 0-0
Games played in September: 2-0 / 6-3
Games played in October: 0-0 / 2-7
Games played in November: 0-0 / 2-6
Games played in December: 0-0 / 0-0

When leading at halftime: 1-0 / 3-2
When trailing at halftime: 1-0 / 7-14
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 0-0

When scoring first: 2-0 / 5-3
When opponent scores first: 0-0 / 5-13

When leading after first quarter: 1-0 / 3-0
When trailing after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-15
When tied after first quarter: 1-0 / 3-1

When leading after three quarters: 1-0 / 5-1
When trailing after three quarters: 1-0 / 5-14
When tied after three quarters: 0-0 / 0-1

Overtime games: 0-0 / 0-0

When gaining more first downs than opponent: 2-0 / 6-4
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-0 / 2-12
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 / 1-0

When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 2-0 / 3-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 1-7

When outrushing opponent: 2-0 / 7-3
When being outrushed by opponent: 0-0 / 3-13

When gaining 200+ yards passing: 0-0 / 5-4
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 0-0 / 8-12

When gaining more total yards than opponent: 2-0 / 6-0
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-0 / 4-16

When leading in time of possession: 0-0 / 2-7
When trailing in time of possession: 2-0 / 8-9

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