The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – INSIDE SLANT
Just when the game looked like it might tighten up in the fourth quarter, two plays helped secure Louisiana-Monroe’s 31-17 victory at Middle Tennessee State that got the Warhawks their third win in five games and off to a 1-0 start in Sun Belt Conference play.
The first was a punt fake executed when punter Justin Manton completed a pass to tight end Keavon Milton for an 11-yard gain and a first down.
Though it didn’t lead to any points — the Warhawks ended up punting four plays later — it did knock some time off the clock and revived the offense for a later drive that consumed more than eight minutes.
“I felt like we needed some momentum,” coach Todd Berry said, explaining the fake punt. “We had gone into a shell on offense. We haven’t had much experience protecting a big lead late.
“Defensively, we were struggling and giving up big plays that were costing us. I just felt like if we gave them the ball then we were going to have a problem.”
The next key play come up a few minutes later when safety Isaiah Newsome intercepted Logan Kilgore’s pass in the end zone and brought it out to the eight-yard line.
“We had to come up with a big play,” Newsome said. “Everybody on defense was getting tired, and we had our backs against the wall.
“We just needed a stop so when I saw the route develop, I just stepped in front of the ball.”
ULM took over with 8:25 left in the game and never gave the ball back, running off 16 plays and five first downs.
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NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: ULM will be back home for the first time since losing the Friday night shootout to Baylor when Florida Atlantic visits Malone Stadium. The Owls are coming off an open date but haven’t won since beating Wagner, an FCS opponent, in their opener.
–The Warhawks reached 500 yards in total offense for the third straight game. They rushed for 204 yards and threw for 296 to hit the 500 mark on the nose. They had 553 the week before at Tulane and 560 in their home opener against Baylor.
–The Warhawks converted on 13-of-21 third-down situations and were 2-of-2 going for it on fourth-down, one on a fake punt, the other QB Kolton Browning’s 28-yard pass to WR Tavarese Maye. For the season, the Warhawks have converted 48 of 92 third downs (52 percent) and are 12-of-16 fourth downs (75 percent).
–ULM’s defense held Middle Tennessee State to just 69 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. The Warhawks had one interception and two fumble recoveries.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Junior RB Centarius Donald saw his most extensive playing time since being injured in the opener and rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries. He came into the game with just three rushes for 23 yards.
LOOKING GOOD: As usual, junior QB Kolton Browning led the way by throwing for 285 yards on 26-of-38 passing and rushing for 44 yards on 10 carries. He wasn’t sacked and threw for one touchdown against one interception. WRs Brent Leonard and Tavarese Maye combined for 14 catches for 150 yards.
STILL NEEDS WORK: ULM’s defense didn’t get a sack against Middle Tennessee State and for the season has only five in five games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Going into this game we were fifth in the nation in least number of penalties, but all the sudden it seemed like every snap was a flag.” — Coach Todd Berry, after his Warhawks were penalized eight times for a season-high 80 yards in the win over Middle Tennessee State.
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NCAAF Team Report – Louisiana-Monroe – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–Senior WR Brent Leonard led ULM in receiving with eight catches for 77 yards. He now has 38 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns for the season.
–Junior WR Tavarese Maye had six receptions for 73 yards, giving him 31 catches for 322 yards for the season.
–Junior RB Jyruss Edwards led the Warhawks in rushing with 87 yards on 17 carries. He has gained 381 yards on the season and has only seven yards in losses for a net of 374 in five games.
ROSTER REPORT
–Sophomore PK Justin Manton made his first field goal of the season after having his two previous attempts blocked.
–Sophomore LB Ray Stovall made his second start and had five tackles, all solo stops, in the win over Middle Tennessee.
–Junior DE Malcolm Edmond also made his second start and was credited with one tackle and one quarterback hurry.
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