ULM Welcomes Lamar; Seeks First 2-0 Start Since 2018

Football Sep 06

Game 2: Lamar (0-1) vs. ULM (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7:02 p.m.
Malone Stadium (30,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN+ | KLIP 105.3 FM

2023 ULM Football Notes: Game 2 vs. Lamar

Terry Bowden Weekly Press Conference: Game 2 Preview vs. Lamar

Purchase Tickets Online

FIRST-AND-10 –
• ULM looks for its first 2-0 start since 2018 at 7 p.m. Saturday when the Warhawks host Lamar at Malone Stadium. ULM defeated Army, 17-13, last Saturday by scoring two touchdowns in the final 5:54 of the game, moving the Warhawks to 10-3 in the Football Bowl Subdivision era (1994-present) when playing the season opener at home. Lamar is 0-1 after falling to Football Championship Subdivision No. 8 Idaho, 42-17, on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Beaumont, Texas.

• Saturday's game is the 17th all-time meeting between ULM and Lamar, but the first since 1988. The two teams competed against each other in the Southland Conference from 1982-86 and played non-conference games against each other in 1987 and 1988 while the Cardinals competed as an NCAA I-AA independent. Lamar discontinued its football program in 1989 and restarted the program in 2010. ULM won the last meeting between the two teams, 24-3, on Oct. 29, 1988, at Malone Stadium.

• ULM's 2023 roster features one former Lamar Cardinal in rover Austin Goffney. The fifth-year senior from Cypress, Texas, played in 13 games for Lamar from 2021-22, totaling 41 tackles (23 solos, 18 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. In his ULM debut last Saturday against Army, Goffney picked up eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists). Lamar's roster includes former ULM defensive end James Perkins, who spent two seasons (2021-22) on the ULM roster as a walk-on. Perkins played at Neville High School in Monroe.

• ULM was a football-playing member of the Southland Conference for 12 seasons from 1982-93. The Warhawks won four conference championships during the era, with two won by head coach Pat Collins and two more by head coach Dave Roberts. The era also includes Northeast Louisiana's NCAA I-AA National Championship season in 1987, in which the Indians went 13-2 overall, with a 6-0 mark in the SLC.

ULM has compiled a 75-97-3 record against current football-playing members of the Southland Conference (9-6-1 vs. Lamar, 9-33-1 vs. McNeese, 24-3 vs. Nicholls, 19-28-1 vs. Northwestern State, 12-25 vs. Southeastern and 2-2 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce).

• 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).

• In ULM's 17-13 win over Army last Saturday, 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. 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).

• Graduate student Ja'Terious Evans set a career high with 11 tackles (3 solos, 8 assists) while adding 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception in last Saturday's season opening win over Army. Evans' interception in the second quarter set up ULM's first points of the season, as Derek McCormick converted a 24-yard field goal with 6:20 remaining before halftime. Junior defensive lineman Jaylan Ware added nine tackles (3 solos, 6 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Goffney tallied eight tackles (3 solos, five assists) and junior linebacker Michael Batton chipped in seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists).

• Junior right tackle Keydrell Lewis was named to the College Football Network National Team of the Week following his performance in last Saturday's 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).

• Sophomore quarterback Hunter 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.

• ULM's revamped running back room had a big day against Army. Sophomore Hunter Smith and graduate student Isaiah Woullard combined for 159 of ULM's 207 rushing yards. Smith, who entered the game with just two career carries for 9 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, a transfer from Ole Miss, 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) for the 2022 season. Gone are the top three rushers from a year ago, who combined for 1,183 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

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

2023 STAT LEADERS –
ULM (1 game):
Rushing – Hunter Smith (7 carries for 103 yards, 14.7 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Jiya Wright (11 of 22, 50%, for 69 yards, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Tyrone Howell (9 catches for 67 yards, 7.4 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Ja'Terious Evans (11 tackles, 3 solos, 8 assists, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT)

Lamar (1 game):
Rushing – Khalan Griffin (12 carries for 42 yards, 3.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Robert Coleman (15 of 24, 63%, for 119 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
Receiving – Andre Dennis (1 catch for 34 yards, 34.0 avg.)
Tackles – Robert Bonar (7 tackles, 1 solo, 6 assists, 0.5 TFL)

THE LAST MEETING (Courtesy The News-Star) –
ULM 24, Lamar 3 (Oct. 29, 1988, in Monroe, La.): Jackie Harris set a conference reception record and Northeast Louisiana broke Lamar's national record string of passes without interception as the Indians beat Lamar Saturday, 24-3.

Harris, a junior tight end who missed five games early in the season with a knee injury, caught 16 passes for 155 yards as he broke the Southland Conference record of 13 receptions in a game shared by two players. Ronnie Vinson of Abilene Christian had 13 catches against both Angelo State in 1969 and Arkansas State in 1970 and Herbert Harris of Lamar tied the record against Louisiana Tech in 1981.

Richard Green intercepted a pass from Shad Smith late in the third period and returned it for an 18-yard touchdown to end Lamar's NCAA Division 1-AA record of 297 passes without interception. Chad Lowe later intercepted another pass for the Indians.

Sophomore quarterback Doug Pederson completed 30 passes, the third-highest total in school history, in 44 attempts for 323 yards as NLU snapped a four-game losing streak, its longest in 10 years. NLU is 4-5. Lamar, 3-5, had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Pederson teamed with tailback Cisco Richard to open the scoring in the first period with a 14-yard touchdown pass. The teams swapped field goals in the second period, Paul Stockman hitting a 27-yard attempt for Lamar and Chris Nowels making a 43-yard three pointer later for Northeast as the Indians led at the half, 10-3.

In the third quarter, Northeast drove 75 yards for its second touchdown, helped by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after NLU had failed to gain on third-and-4 at the Lamar 18. The penalty moved the ball to the 9 and Pederson hit Mark Guerriero at the edge of the end zone on the next play. Northeast drove from its 34 to the Lamar 4 on its next possesion but a fourth-down play failed and Lamar took over. But on Lamar's first play, Smith's pass was intercepted at the 18 and the senior cornerback, escorted by five blockers, ran the ball into the end zone to snap Lamar's string of passes without interception and nail down the Northeast victory.

Richard also had 113 receiving yards on seven catches and led the Indians in rushing with 54 yards on 12 carries. Tommy Minvielle had 50 on 13 and Pederson added 28 on 14 rushes for a total offense figure of 351 yards. Starting QB John Evans was ineffective for Lamar, hitting only 5-of-12 pases for 47 yards and Smith, who set a school record with 412 yards passing in Lamar's 48-28 upset last year of Northeast, which went on to win the national 1-AA title, was no better, hitting only 6-of-20 for 56 yards and having two passes intercpetied. Troy Barrett led Lamar in rushing with 53 yards on nine carries. The Northeast defense held Lamar to only eight first downs and a total of 159 yards while the Indians got 476. Northeast held the ball for 38:19 to 21:41.

Northeast drove 80 yards for a touchdown on its third possession of the game. The drive consisted of 11 plays, none for gains of more than 17 yards with Pederson hitting Anthony Burns for that yardage. Pederson completed seven-straight passes in the drive and hit Richard at about the 4 for a 14-yard gain and the touchdown with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Nowels kicked the PAT for a 7-0 NLU lead. Lamar took the kickoff and drove from its own 45 to the Indian 10.

On fourth down, Stockman kicked a 27-yard field goal to narrow the NLU lead to 7-3 with 13:38 left in the half. Northeast's defense helped the Indians dodge a bullet on the next series when Pederson fumbled the snap from center and Lamar recovered at the NLU 20. Lamar moved to the 8 and had first and goal. But Norman Amos sacked Evans for minus 2 on first down and two passes were incomplete. Stockman came in to attempt another 27-yard field goal, but he was off to the left this time.

LAMAR SERIES HISTORY –
Saturday's game between ULM and Lamar marks the 17th all-time meeting between the Warhawks and Cardinals. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 9-6-1. The two teams faced off in consecutive seasons from 1975-88, when Lamar put its football program on hiatus before returning in 2010. ULM and Lamar were each members of the Southland Conference from 1982-86, when Lamar left and became an NCAA Division 1-AA independent for two seasons. The Warhawks have won six of the last seven meetings with the Cardinals, including the most recent meeting on Oct. 29, 1988, 24-3. Lamar last defeated ULM, 48-28, on Oct. 10, 1987, in Beaumont, Texas. ULM is 5-3 all-time against Lamar in Monroe.

ULM/LAMAR CONNECTIONS –
ULM's 2023 roster features one former Lamar Cardinal in rover Austin Goffney. The fifth-year senior from Cypress, Texas, played in 13 games for Lamar from 2021-22, totaling 41 tackles (23 solos, 18 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. In his ULM debut last Saturday against Army, Goffney picked up eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists).

Lamar's roster includes former ULM defensive end James Perkins, who spent two seasons (2021-22) on the ULM roster as a walk-on. Perkins played at Neville High School in Monroe.

WARHAWK SOUTHLAND HISTORY –
ULM was a football-playing member of the Southland Conference for 12 seasons from 1982-93. The Warhawks won four conference championships during the era, with two won by head coach Pat Collins and two more by head coach Dave Roberts. The era also includes Northeast Louisiana's NCAA I-AA National Championship season in 1987, in which the Indians went 13-2 overall, with a 6-0 mark in the SLC.

ULM has compiled a 75-97-3 record against current football-playing members of the Southland Conference (9-6-1 vs. Lamar, 9-33-1 vs. McNeese, 24-3 vs. Nicholls, 19-28-1 vs. Northwestern State, 12-25 vs. Southeastern and 2-2 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce).

ULM VS. FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION –
Now in its 30th season of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision membership, ULM is 28-11 against members of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision since the Warhawks changed subdivisions in 1994. ULM has won its last 13 games against FCS members and has a 13-3 record against current members of the Southland Conference since moving up.

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).

THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 17, Army West Point 14 (Sept. 2, 2023, in Monroe, La.): A power outage at Malone Stadium Saturday night rendered the scoreboard inoperable until midway through the second quarter.

As it turned out, a defensive struggle between ULM and Army in the season opener didn't require many scoring updates in the early going. Power was eventually restored in the venue, and when it counted, ULM would shine under the bright lights too.

The Warhawks overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, forced five Army turnovers and rallied to claim a 17-13 win before an opening-night crowd of 18,914.

Trailing 13-3 in the final period, ULM turned to back-up quarterback Hunter Herring to try to spark the offense, but it was a running back who provided the jumpstart the Warhawks were seeking.

After ULM's defense forced Army's fourth punt, sophomore running back Hunter Smith gave his team a jolt of electricity. With 5:43 left in the game, Smith dashed up the middle for a 62-yard touchdown run, the first of his career. The explosive play pulled ULM within 13-10 and brought hope back to the home sideline.

Then on Army's ensuing series, ULM's Car'lin Vigers forced and recovered a fumble at the Army 45 after the Black Knights secured a first down. It was the opportunity ULM's rejuvenated offense needed.

Isaiah Woullard's 33-yard run to the 12 set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Herring to Tyrone Howell and ULM suddenly led 17-13 with 2:48 remaining in the game. Howell snared the winning TD with one hand near the back of the end zone to complete the stunning turnaround and reward the fans who stuck around until the end.

ULM free safety AJ Watts intercepted Army quarterback Bryson Dailey with 2:24 showing to put the finishing move on Army. With 29 seconds left, the Black Knights would block ULM's short field goal attempt after the turnover but time expired on Army's last offensive gasp.

Quarterback Jiya Wright made the start for ULM and completed 10-of-21 passes for 70 yards with two interceptions before the Warhawks turned to Herring late. The sophomore who played high school ball locally at Ouachita Christian hit 4-of-9 passes for 20 yards, including the game-winning touchdown toss to Howell.

Army managed just six points in four red zone trips while gaining just 283 yards of total offense. The Black Knights lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions.

ULM rushed for 209 yards while totaling 299 yards. Including his big run, Smith gained 103 yards on seven carries. Howell caught nine passes for 67 yards.

The ULM defense played lights out early, giving the Warhawks a chance for heroics later. The Black Knights lost a fumble in the red zone on their initial drive, with Jaylan Ware recovering at the ULM 17.

After an 11-play, 47-yard drive stalled out, Army's Quinn Maretzki missed a 37-yard field goal try as time expired in a scoreless first quarter.

A second-quarter interception by ULM bandit Ja'Terious Evans at the Army 44 set up the game's first score. Derek McCormick kicked a 24-yard field goal with 6:20 remaining in the half to wrap an eight-play, 38-yard drive and the Warhawks led 3-0.

Army took a 7-3 lead with 2:38 left in the half on a 44-yard pick six by cornerback Bo Nicolas-Paul. Wright misfired on a pass intended for Tyrone Howell and Nicolas-Paul was there for the takeaway.

Army's Max DiDomenico intercepted Wright again with 1:28 to go in the second and the Black Knights converted the turnover into a 22-yard Maretzki field goal with two seconds left for a 10-3 advantage at the break.

Making his first ULM start under difficult conditions and attempting to operate with a fast tempo, Wright completed 8-of-17 attempts for 59 yards and two interceptions in the opening half. Wright also netted 29 yards on eight rushes, including a 26-yard dash that helped set up the ULM field goal .

Army emerged from a scoreless third quarter to add another Maretzki field goal with 12:53 remaining in the game. The Black Knights covered 58 yards in nine plays as they moved into scoring position to take a 13-3 lead that loomed large until ULM came to life with Smith's big run.

P-40 WARHAWK HELMETS CONTINUE VS. LAMAR –
ULM will don its P-40 series alternate helmet for Saturday's game against Lamar. 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 seventh time ULM has won the helmets, doing so in 2021 against A-State, in 2022 against Texas State, Georgia State, Troy and Southern Miss and last week against Army.

HERRING SPARKS WARHAWKS TO WIN –
Sophomore quarterback Hunter 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 had a big day against Army. Sophomore Hunter Smith and sixth-year graduate student Isaiah Woullard combined for 159 of ULM's 207 rushing yards.

Smith, who entered the 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, a transfer from Ole Miss, 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.

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.

In 13 career games with the Hurricanes (2021-22), Franklin gained 381 yards on 73 attempts and scored seven TDs.

HOWELL AIMS TO BUILD OFF BREAKOUT 2022 CAMPAIGN –
Graduate wide receiver Tyrone Howell had 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 last Saturady. 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 last Saturday's 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).

FIVE WARHAWKS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSIVE LINE –
ULM will rebuild its offensive line around three veterans, in right tackle Keydrell Lewis (21 career starts), center Zarian McGill (13) and left guard (moving from right guard) Elijah Fisher (11), who have combined for 45 career starts. In addition, left tackle Stacey Wilkins (4) and right guard Tellek Lockette (4) 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 WREAKS HAVOC AGAINST ARMY –
In ULM's 17-13 win over Army last Saturday, 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).

EVANS LEADS REVAMPED WARHAWK DEFENSE IN WEEK ONE –
In his first career start for ULM at outside linebacker, Ja'Terious 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.

WARE DISRUPTIVE UP FRONT AGAINST ARMY –
Defensive lineman Jaylan Ware picked up nine tackles (3 solos, 6 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble in his first career start for ULM last Saturday 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 opened 2023 with five tackles (1 solo, 4 assists) and a quarterback hurry against Army last Saturday.

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).

"BATMAN" FLIES INTO 2023 –
Mike linebacker Michael Batton finished fourth on the team in tackles in last Saturday's season opener against Army, collecting seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists) against the Black Knights.

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.

TILLERY, VIGERS AMONG TOP RETURNERS IN SECONDARY –
Cornerback Lu Tillery accounted for two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and recovered a fumble in last Saturday's 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).

Car'lin Vigers 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. He had one tackle to go with his forced fumble and recovery. Vigers, who started the last three games of the 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.

GUILBEAU NAMED LSWA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK –
Braxton Guilbeau, who averaged 41.3 yards on six punts in his first career start against Army including two downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line, has been selected Louisiana Sports Writers Association Special Teams Player of the Week. His punt placements played a key role as ULM stormed back from a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit for a 17-13 win over the Black Knights in the 2023 season opener. His career-long 59-yard punt early in the third quarter was downed at the Army 4-yard line. Guilbeau's 38-yard punt that went out of bounds at the Army 3 early in the fourth quarter flipped the field position and helped set up Hunter Smith's 62-yard touchdown run that pulled ULM to within 13-10 with 5:43 left in the game.

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: WINNINGEST FAMILY IN NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL HISTORY –
The late Bobby Bowden (377 career victories) and his sons, Terry (184) and Tommy (90), have combined for 651 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).

SUN BELT/NCAA STAT LEADERS –
Here's a glance at how ULM ranks among the Sun Belt and NCAA stat leaders:

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 (5th at 9.0 receptions per game)
Rushing Yards: Hunter Smith (42nd at 103 rushing yards)
Rushing Yards Per Game: Hunter Smith (30th at 103.0 rushing yards per game)
Total Tackles: Ja'Terious Evans (30th at 11.0 tackles per game)
Sacks: Norman Massey (31st at 1.0 sacks per game)
Forced Fumbles: Carl Glass (2nd at 1 forced fumble); Norman Massey (2nd at 1 forced fumble); Car'lin Vigers (2nd at 1 forced fumble)
Fumbles Recovered: Lu Tillery (2nd at 1 fumble recovery); Car'lin Vigers (2nd at 1 fumble recovery); Jaylan Ware (2nd at 1 fumble recovery)
Total Interceptions: Ja'Terious Evans (10th at 1 interception); A.J. Watts (10th at 1 interception)
Interceptions Per Game: Ja'Terious Evans (8th at 1 interception per game); A.J. Watts (8th at 1 interception per game)
Passes Defended: A.J. Watts (10th at 2.0 passes defended per game)
Field Goals Per Game: Derek McCormick (36th at 1 field goal per game)
Punting: Braxton Guilbeau (47th at 41.3 yards 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; 25 games):

Rushing Yards: 231 at App State, 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 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: 25 games):

2023 / OVERALL
Games played in Malone Stadium: 1-0 / 8-4
Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-0 / 1-12

Games played in August: 0-0 / 0-0
Games played in September: 1-0 / 5-3
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: 0-0 / 2-2
When trailing at halftime: 1-0 / 7-14
When tied at halftime: 0-0 / 0-0

When scoring first: 1-0 / 4-3
When opponent scores first: 0-0 / 5-13

When leading after first quarter: 0-0 / 2-0
When trailing after first quarter: 0-0 / 4-15
When tied after first quarter: 1-0 / 3-1

When leading after three quarters: 0-0 / 4-1
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: 1-0 / 5-4
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: 1-0 / 2-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 / 1-7

When outrushing opponent: 1-0 / 6-3
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: 1-0 / 5-0
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: 1-0 / 7-9

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