The Warhawks is looking for an improved season from last
season as well, falling in the bottom tier of the conference.
After having a bye during the opening weekend of college
football, ULM will open its season Saturday evening when the Warhawks battle
nationally-ranked Arkansas in Little Rock.
Arkansas may cause some problems for a team like UL-Monroe
in their season opener, and the Warhawks will not have another bye this season.
That means they will be on the practice field and playing field each week til
the end of the season.
Head Coach Todd Berry begins his third
season at the helm of the Warhawk football program.
In 2011, the Warhawk defense finished
ranked number one in the Sun Belt in both rushing defense (100.0 ypg) and total
defense (326.2 ypg)... The 100.0 rushing yards per game was a new Sun Belt
record and it marked the third season in a row that ULM led the conference in
rush defense... The club finished tied for third in the conference in sacks
with 28... In the final NCAA rankings the Warhawk defense finished eighth in
rushing defense and 21st in total defense (326.2 ypg)... The squad also finished
47th in total sacks (2.08 per game)... A total of four defensive players (Ken
Dorsey, Darius Prelow, Jason Edwards and Troy Evans) earned All-Sun Belt honors.
The Warhawks v. Razorbacks Series
Saturday's contest against the Razorbacks will be the 10th
meeting all-time between ULM and Arkansas. Arkansas has claimed the nine
previous meetings between the two schools, most recently a 31-7 win in Little
Rock, Ark. (Sept. 11, 2010). Saturday's game will also mark the fifth
consecutive meeting between the two schools in Little Rock.
Near Miss Opportunity
In 2008, ULM led Arkansas 10-6 at intermission and a Jeremy
Gener 40 yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 27-14 lead with 12:56 to play in
Little Rock (Sept. 6, 2008).
Arkansas
closed the gap to six with a quick two play, 80 yard drive just 37 seconds
later. The Razorbacks scored the game-winning touchdown (DJ Williams
8-yard pass from Casey Dick [Shay Haddock kick]) with 1:22 showing on the
clock.
ULM
began its final drive at its own 31 yard line and after two successful passes
by Kinsmon Lancaster, the Warhawks reached the Arkansas 30 yard line. ULM
moved to the 27 on the next play with a three yard pass before back-to-back incomplete
passes. Jeremy Gener lined up for the game-winning field goal (45 yards)
with 41 seconds remaining; however, Gener's missed right/short and
Arkansas was able to take a knee and escape with the one-point win (28-27).
The September 8th matchup will air on ESPNU and kickoff
is set for 6 p.m. Fans can listen to the game live by tuning into 104.1
FM (Monroe), 92.1 FM (Shreveport) or by visiting ULMWarhawks.com.
