The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – INSIDE SLANT
Coaches may prefer to look ahead to the next opponent, not back at the last, but that can be difficult when the previous game was as big a victory as Louisiana-Monroe’s upset of eighth-ranked Arkansas.
But coach Todd Berry knows if the Warhawks’ win is not to be taken as a college football fluke that his team must be ready for Auburn.
“Obviously, it as a big win for the university and the program, and a big one for our kids,” Berry said of the 34-31 overtime win over the Razorbacks. “I was really happy for our kids and I wanted them to live for that moment.”
Now it’s important not to get caught up in all the distractions, the extra media attention, the backslapping from fans, Berry said.
“We have to make sure we are the same guys we were seven days ago,” he said, “And that we are the same team that had a chip on their shoulder and was hungry and understood the process of getting better as players and getting better as a team and were really focused on that process.
“I think this team will do it, but there certainly are distractions out there.”
Berry said he was asked what magic it had taken for the Warhawks to pull out the victory.
“I don’t know if there was any magic,” he said. “We haven’t really changed systemically that much or any of those things. We certainly haven’t changed the way we coach.
“We just have an experienced team that has gone through a lot of adversity over the last couple of years, and that’s bothered the group as a whole.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – NOTES, QUOTES
–ULM’s victory over Arkansas earned the Warhawks some support in the two major polls, though more among the media than the coaches. The AP poll had the Warhawks with 23 points, which put them 33rd among teams receiving recognition and ahead of such teams as traditional programs as Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Arizona State. The USA Today poll, however, had the Warhawks receiving only one point, which means one coach voted them 25th.
–The win over Arkansas was ULM’s first in a season opener since 2006, when it beat Alcorn State 24-6. The last time the Warhawks won a season opener on the road was in 1993, when they beat Eastern Washington 34-13 to begin their final season at the FCS level.
–ULM has not started a season 2-0 since moving to the FBS level in the 1994 season.
SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads ULM 8-0 (last meeting, 2010, Auburn 52-3).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: It’s a big plus when you have a starter returning at quarterback, and the Warhawks have a junior who is starting his third season at the position. Kolton Browning led the Warhawks in rushing against Arkansas with 69 yards and threw for a whopping 412 in going 42-of-67. The Warhawks are deep at wide receiver with Brent Leonard (11 catches for 112 yards against the Razorbacks), Tavarese Maye (9-76), Je’Ron Hamm (6-92), and Colby Harper (6-61).
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: ULM had several holes to fill because of lost starters going into the season, but coach Todd Berry was happy with the speed and talent he had in his secondary. CB Eddie Vincent had an interception, and S Mitch Lane broke up two passes in the win over the Hogs. LB DaCorris Ford also had an interception, and LB Ray Stovall had a sack in the opener.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The magic is we’ve just kind of grown up a bit. I sensed that at the start of the season.” — Coach Todd Berry, when asked what magic helped ULM to its victory at Arkansas.
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NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: ULM at Auburn, Sept. 15 — The Warhawks face another SEC foe on the road. The Tigers may have scheduled this one for relief after opening against Clemson and going to Mississippi State the last two weeks, but the Warhawks no doubt got their attention with their win over Arkansas. The Tigers will be a hungry bunch looking for their first win.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Come back to earth. The Warhawks can’t let the joy of their win over Arkansas intrude on their preparations for the Tigers. They need to play with the same confidence they showed in converting critical fourth-down plays in the win over the Razorbacks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Kolton Browning — Browning showed the poise of a veteran in the upset of Arkansas, which he is. The junior is in his third year as a starter and has the ability to beat a team with his running (as the Razorbacks found out) as well as his passing.
WR Brent Leonard — Leonard had a big night against the Razorbacks with 11 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. He also had 38 yards on three punt returns.
DB Mitch Lane — Lane not only led the Warhawks in tackles with nine stops against the Hogs, he also broke up two passes. He is playing the combination linebacker/defensive back position labeled “hawk” in the Warhawks’ scheme.
ROSTER REPORT
–Junior RB Centarius Donald is out with what is called a “lower body” injury sustained in the win over Arkansas. He will miss the Auburn game at least and possibly more, coach Todd Berry said.
–Senior RB Mitchell Bailey is listed as backup behind starter Jyruss Edwards on the depth chart for the Auburn game.
–Sophomore CB Rob’Donovan Lewis is now No. 1 on the depth chart ahead of junior Otis Peterson.
–Sophomore PK Justin Manton has added punting to his duties for this week.
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