FACTS & STATS: Site: Malone Stadium (30,427) — Monroe, Louisiana.
Television: None. Home Record: Louisiana 4-1, ULM 3-1. Away Record: Louisiana
2-2, ULM 0-5. Neutral Record: Louisiana 0-0, ULM 0-0. Conference Record:
Louisiana 5-0, ULM 2-3. Series Record: Louisiana leads, 25-24.
GAME NOTES: The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will attempt to continue their
undefeated reign atop the Sun Belt Conference on Saturday night when they take
on the ULM Warhawks at Malone Stadium.
Since losing three straight to close out its non-conference schedule, the
Cajuns have been red-hot with five consecutive wins in Sun Belt play, most
recently downing New Mexico State on the road last Saturday, 44-16. Louisiana
sits in a virtual tie with Georgia Southern (7-0) for first place in the
league, but the teams could be in for a shared title as the two do not play
one another.
Meanwhile, it’s been a trying season for ULM, which has lost five straight
games to dip to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in conference action. The Warhawks
suffered a tough 31-29 road loss to Appalachian State last weekend, but the
good news is they return home for this contest, where they’ve gone 3-1 at
Malone Stadium.
This marks the 50th meeting in the all-time series. Louisiana holds the
slimmest of margins, 25-24.
The Cajuns were highly efficient last week in scoring 44 points despite their
modest yardage number (402). Their offense has been strong this season,
picking up 423.8 ypg and 30.6 ppg.
The rush-heavy attack is spearheaded by Elijah McGuire, who’s turned 114
carries into 912 yards (8.0 ypc) and 10 touchdowns. Alonzo Harris (116
carries, 458 yards, nine TDs) usually splits time evenly with McGuire, but he
is questionable with a leg injury.
Terrance Broadway is a great rushing quarterback with 472 yards and a
touchdown, but his passing numbers have lagged behind, as he’s completing less
than 59 percent of his passes for 1,592 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight
interceptions.
McGuire is the team’s top receiver with 33 catches for 337 yards and two
touchdowns. James Butler (20 receptions, 305 yards) and Al Riles (22
receptions, 262 yards) anchor an underachieving wide receiving corps.
Defensively, Louisiana has been just good enough to support its offense,
allowing 27.8 ppg.
Corey Trim has logged a team-best 47 tackles and has also picked off two
passes. Christian Ringo is an outstanding pass-rusher with 14.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks
and two fumble recoveries.
ULM has the Sun Belt’s worst offense, both in terms of scoring (18.7 ppg) and
yardage (332.0 ypg). The unit performed better last week, even scoring a go-
ahead touchdown with less than two minutes left before ultimately losing the
game on the next possession.
Pete Thomas completed less than half his pass attempts a week ago (20-of-41)
but threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Thomas has
struggled with his completion percentage all season (.568) and has 2,058
yards, 11 touchdowns (two rushing) and five picks.
Thomas is aided by one of the league’s best receiving trios. Ajalen Holley
leads the team in both yards (627) and touchdowns (six) despite a modest catch
total (45). Rashon Ceaser has 52 receptions for 523 yards, and Kenzee Jackson
has tallied 48 receptions, 576 yards and three touchdowns.
Centarius Donald is solid out of the backfield with 540 yards and five
touchdowns, but as a team the Warhawks have been virtually non-existent on the
ground with a mere 87.1 ypg on 2.6 yards per carry.
The silver lining for the Warhawks has been the stellar play of their defense
(26.9 ppg, 352.9 ypg), although the unit collapsed late in last week’s game in
allowing the late game-winning field goal.
Mitch Lane has three interceptions and also leads the team in tackles with 66.
Hunter Kissinger has registered 61 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks, two
interceptions and a fumble recovery. Michael Johnson is also a defensive
mainstay with 52 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
On its home field, ULM should be able to keep this game within striking
distance thanks to its solid defense, but its offense simply isn’t good enough
to take advantage.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Louisiana 24, ULM 17
