Warhawks
Warhawks
UL Monroe Warhawks
NCAAF – SUN BELT
UL Monroe Warhawks
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UL Monroe Warhawks News and Picks
The biggest story for the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks football team is the changes made to the coaching staff. Terry Bowden has taken over as head coach, bringing in an 82-69 record at the FBS level. Bowden previously coached at Auburn, North Alabama, and Akron, last holding a head coaching position in 2018. Including his Division I-AA experience, Bowden is 175-114-2.
Another well-known coach has joined the ranks as well. Rich Rodriguez, the former head coach at West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona, has signed on as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator. However, like Bowden, Rodriguez did not coach in 2020. Rodriguez’s last head coaching gig was with Arizona in 2017. He was also the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss through the 2019 season and did not coach in 2020.
With new coaches in place, UL Monroe hopes the program can return to conference championship contention. The Warhawks have a long way to go to get there, and though 2021 will be another building year, they are already in better shape than a season ago.
UL Monroe Warhawks Standings
The UL Monroe Warhawks are a NCAA football team that competes in the Sun Belt Conference. The Warhawks are known for their high-scoring offense and tough, physical defense, making them a formidable opponent for any team. With a roster of talented players and a coaching staff dedicated to success, the Warhawks are a force to be reckoned with on the field.
The stats and standings of the Warhawks reflect their dominance, with a winning record and a reputation for putting up big numbers on the scoreboard. Whether they’re playing at home or on the road, the Warhawks always bring their best game.
UL Monroe Warhawks Betting Trends
UL Monroe Warhawks Seasons Summary
There’s nowhere to go but up for the Warhawks, who went 0-7 in the Sun Belt Conference and 0-10 overall. Only one of those losses was by fewer than 10 points (a 35-30 loss to Georgia Southern). UL Monroe was outscored 420-163 last year and averaged just 305 yards per game; only eight other FBS schools had a lower yardage total, and only five others averaged fewer points per game (Kansas, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Bowling Green, and UMass).
While the defense as a whole was a slightly better unit than the offense, things there still weren’t good either. The Warhawks allowed 467 yards per game, third-most in the conference and 15th-most in the FBS. Regularly put in challenging positions due to offensive futility, UL Monroe allowed the third-most points (420) in the FBS and the fourth-most (42.0) per game.
While it was somewhat of a rebuilding year, the rebuild didn’t go remotely according to plan. The school parted ways with head coach Matt Viator after the season. Viator went 19-39 overall and 15-24 in conference play in five seasons.
UL Monroe Warhawks Key Players
The Warhawks haven’t named a starting quarterback, which is usually not a good sign this close to the start of the season. Colby Suits, the leading passer last season, has the inside track early, but his position is far from secure. Transfer Jeremy Hunt is in the mix as well as Rhett Rodriguez, Rich’s son. There is also a decent chance whichever quarterback starts the season won’t be starting under center later in the year.
Kaydn Roach figures to be the starting running back after finishing as the second-leading rusher last season, albeit with just 112 yards and one touchdown. While the backfield may be a committee approach as well, Roach should see the bulk of the touches.
Linebacker Traveion Webster is the star of the defense, back after leading the team in tackles as a freshman last season. While several players joining the Warhawks through the transfer portal are threats to push that total, Webster is in a great position to finish atop that category again in 2021.
UL Monroe Warhawks New Additions
UL Monroe added tons of talent through the transfer portal, and several of the players who transferred will be pushing for starting jobs out of the gate.
Ja’Cquez Williams transferred from Wake Forest and should help out in the linebacker group. Williams led the Demon Deacons in tackles in 2020 and he should help with the pass rush as well.
Speaking of the pass rush, grad transfer defensive end Ty Shelby steps into the starting role and will need to be a force of the edge. The Warhawks averaged less than two sacks per game last season and will need to improve to take pressure off of the secondary.
The Warhawks had just four interceptions last season, three of which came from the defensive backs. Enter cornerback Adam Sparks from Missouri. Sparks saw limited playing time with the Tigers, thus the transfer, and has not recorded an interception since the 2018 season. With an expanded role, look for the senior to make an impact in the Warhawks’ secondary.
UL Monroe Warhawks Key Subtractions
It’s hard to think of subtractions as being “key” given UL Monroe’s ugly 2020 campaign. However, there were still a few bright spots and players who have moved on to greener pastures.
Tight end Josh Pederson was the Warhawks’ leading receiver in 2020 but he has since graduated and left for the NFL. While his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page (32 receptions, 367 yards, no touchdowns), it’s important to remember just how bad this offense was a year ago. Only one other Warhawk had more than 20 receptions. Pederson’s departure opens up a large target share for the rest of the receivers.
Freshman defensive lineman Kevin Porter left for Wake Forest after leading all ULM defensive linemen in solo tackles (24) and combined tackles (38). Nose tackle Mason Husmann graduated, so there’s a big hole in the middle of the d-line. Freshmen Quincy Ledet Jr. and Marcus Moore should have plenty of opportunities to make an impact, as will sophomore Sir’Darrius Ellis.
UL Monroe Warhawks Conference Outlook
With Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and Louisiana all looking like strong competitors at the top of the Sun Belt (and all ranked in the preseason Top 25), ULM is headed towards another underwhelming season. However, the Warhawks’ last win was against Coastal Carolina in November of 2019. With that showdown looming in Week Four, ULM would shock the college football universe with a win in that game.
Instead of focusing on wins and losses, it will be important for UL Monroe to change the culture of the team and be competing hard in every game and every practice. Their best chance to get out of the cellar is to finish ahead of South Alabama, who is projected to finish fourth in the Sun Belt’s West Division. South Alabama has a new head coach in Kane Wommack who is in his first head coaching job. If ULM can make those improvements under Bowden, finishing fourth in the West should be a win in the eyes of the program and its fans.
UL Monroe Warhawks Team Offense
With Pederson gone, tight end transfers Nolan Quinlan (previously with Wagner College of the FCS) and Jacob Mathis (previously with USF) will be competing for the starting job. Mathis was a four-star recruit at South Florida and the change of scenery could suit him nicely.
ULM is also returning its top five wide receivers from last season. Perry Carter Jr led the bunch with 22 receptions and 212 yards, but Malik Jackson was the scoring leader with four touchdowns. As they both have a rapport with expected starter Colby Suits, both should see an increase in receptions, yards, and with any luck scores in 2021.
Behind Kaydn Roach, redshirt freshman Charlie Norman and sophomore Isaiah Phillips will look to make a name for themselves in the backfield. Phillips finished two yards behind Roach in his 2020 rushing total, but he did so on twice as many carries. Norman had one carry for no gain a year ago but did have a receiving touchdown.
UL Monroe Warhawks Team Defense
New defensive coordinator Zac Alley is returning seven starters on defense, but with one of the worst units in the FBS a year ago, Alley will have plenty of room for improvements and adjustments. With Bowden slightly more of an offensive-minded coach, Alley will have a tough task ahead with implementing his defensive schemes.
UL Monroe’s defensive success or failure boils down to their d-line. Can the pass rush generate enough pressure off the edge? Can the relatively untested underclassmen wreak havoc in the middle of the line, stuffing the run and disrupting opponents’ passing attacks? Can the entire team force more turnovers after just four interceptions a year ago?
One strength ULM has defensively is that they were the second-least penalized team in the Sun Belt Conference in 2020 in both number of penalties and yardage. If Alley can maintain that level of discipline with this bunch, the other improvements mean that much more.
Warhawks recent trends
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UL Monroe Warhawks FAQs
What is ULM’s bowl record?
A: The ULM Warhawks lost its only bowl game appearance, falling to Ohio 45-14 in the 2012 Independence Bowl.
Which head coach has the most wins in ULM history?
A: Pat Collins leads all ULM coaches in wins with 57. Dave Roberts leads in win percentage at .661 (38-19-2)
What notable NFL alumni played at ULM?
A: Wide receiver Marty Booker and tight end Jackie Harris had the longest NFL tenures among ULM alumni. Quarterback Doug Pederson became an NFL head coach and led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl win in 2018.
Who is ULM’s all-time rushing leader?
A: Calvin Dawson is the leader in rushing yards (3,378) while Caleb Evans leads the Warhawks in career touchdowns (36)
When was ULM’s first season?
A: ULM first took the field for the 1931 season as a junior college program. They moved into the senior college circuit in 1951 where they have stayed ever since.
