Warhawks fall short against Eagles P8
Homecoming court celebrates with parade P 7
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
VOLUME 98 ISSUE 6
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
Students must try harder in Zoom classes
October 5, 2020
P 3
Water ski showcases ‘splash’ of talent at bayou performance ULM hosts annual University Mile P 5
Podcast ‘Ace on Air’ takes flight P 4
P5
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
October 5, 2020
BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, October
5
Baptist Collegiate Ministries Haven, 7 p.m., 1005 University Ave.
Tuesday, October
6
Tuesday Night @ Thrive, 6 p.m., Thrive House
Wednesday, October
West Monroe 7
Let's Talk Warhawks, 11 a.m., Bayou Park
Thursday, October
8
Banned book reading, 5:30 p.m., CNSB 100
Friday, October
9
No event planned
Saturday, October
10
No event planned
Sunday, October
11
No event planned
QUOTE
Louisiana
United States
California
Man burglarizes local Lawmakers fight Firefighters fear business after hurricane COVID-19 restrictions wildfires will merge
Coronavirus outbreak shuts Senate down
NewsStar- A West Monroe man is facing one count of looting connected to a burglary after Hurricane Laura. According to an arrest report for Jacob Porter, age 37, the West Monroe Police Department responded to a burglary call at Orchid Fabrication on Cypress Street on Sept. 14. The warrant states the business was unsecured due to damage from Hurricane Laura. Video surveillance from the day of the incident showed three people enter the building and take tools, a motorcycle and a welding machine. The suspects put the property in a white Ford and a trailer and drove away. The truck was later located. The owner said he did not participate in the burglary, and "Mud Flap" had the truck when the burglary occurred. Investigators determined "Mud Flap" was a reference to Porter.
MCT- Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that he will seek permission for the Senate to remain out for two weeks instead of resuming work Monday, but hearings on Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, will continue as scheduled. "On Monday, I intend to obtain a consent agreement for the Senate to meet in pro forma sessions for the next two weeks. Previously scheduled floor activity will be rescheduled until after October 19th," the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. McConnell said Friday in Kentucky he expected senators to come back to Washington Oct. 5, despite uncertainty surrounding their exposure to COVID-19 in the wake of the positive diagnoses of President Donald Trump and Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee. Since then, two more GOP senators revealed positive tests for the virus.
NewsStar- Louisiana lawmakers continued to advance a host of measures Thursday to curb Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' COVID-19 restrictions ranging from legislative oversight to overturning his emergency declaration altogether. Republicans who have grown weary of seven months of COVID-19 restrictions want more power to decide how long an emergency declaration can continue. "The people I represent don't think (the restrictions) are warranted," said Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton. "That's why we're here. We believe in individual freedoms. We feel it's time for a change." Republicans comprise near super majorities in the House and Senate and largely control the agenda of a 30-day Special Session that began Monday.
MCT- As fire crews continue working to get a number of significant blazes in Northern California under control, they've also endeavored to prevent a megafire merger that would take the top off the state's record books. The potential stems from two fires, the historically mammoth August Complex and the far-smaller-but-stilldevastating Zogg fire, that have burned to within roughly nine miles of each other in an area southwest of Redding. While crews have increased containment of both blazes recently, particularly on the Zogg fire, officials this week acknowledged some concern that the two could eventually meet. Fusing with the roughly 56,000acre Zogg fire would swell the August Complex's already massive footprint to more than 1 million acres, a previously unthinkable milestone in an unprecedented fire season.
TODAY IN HISTORY
UP IN THE AIR
"We must believe that we are gifted for something."
October 5
Marie Curie, physicist
1947: Harry Truman made the 1st televised Presidential address from the White House. 1962: "Dr. No," 1st James Bond film based on the novel by Ian Fleming and starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, premiered in London. 1978: Over 30 nations ratify the Environmental Modification Convention which prohibits weather warfare.
Front page credits: Main photo:
2017: The New York Times published investigation into sexual harassment behavior by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Skylar Henry Top sidebar photo: Skylar Henry Bottom sidebar photo: Kaitlin Maness Top left photo: Carley Nail Top right graphic: ULM photo services
photo by Carley Nail
ULM's volleyball team fighting against the University of Louisiana at Lafeyette's Ragin' Cajuns on Friday, Oct. 2.
October 5, 2020
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 3
OPINION
Pop Culture
'Cuties' meant to disturb, spark conversation
Mitchell Raley Netflix seems to be on a rocket ship to the moon, from their recordbreaking online subscriptions in the first six months of 2020 to their releasing of controversial media. With the release of a film called “Cuties,” Netflix has blurred the lines between overt sexualization of young women and the reality young women face in our sexualized society. Viewers quickly began cancelling their subscription to the platform after its release. While I understand why this was the response, it was the wrong one. The film, directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, follows protagonist Amy, who is searching for her true meaning of femininity. She does
Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor-in-Chief - Kaitlin Maness Co-managing Editor Design - Sunil Bishwokarma Co-managing Editor News - Loryn Kykendall Opinion Editors - Loryn Kykendall, Kaitlin Maness Freestyle Editor - Uchechi Owunna
this by observing her mother’s quiet battles with womanhood in a strict Muslim culture and the obsession of sexualizing female figures within our western society. Amy watches her mother struggle with her husband’s decision to marry a second wife and she doesn’t want to accept her mother’s idea of womanhood, so she joins a twerking dance group in an effort to find her own definition of womanhood. Viewers were outraged over the depictions of young girls doing highly-sexualized dances for social media. I’m not saying the outrage was inappropriate. I’m just saying that maybe that was the point. If the goal of the film was to get people to think and to observe their own lives, it succeeded. Netflix gained almost 16 million new subscribers in the first three months of 2020, according to The New York Times. This was a record-breaking number of sign-ups. The controversy did, indeed, cause users to cancel their services. But the canceling died down after a week of the social media uproar. The purpose of art is to make the viewer question their own reality
The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the university. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the university. The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.
and to challenge their world view. Doucouré does this with her movie by questioning how both social media and society in general portray women. "Cuties" was meant to make us question the validity of the sexualization of young girls. The film’s protagonist is growing up in a time where women must show off their bodies to receive recognition. Doucouré questions if this sexualization has an impact on young women and adolescent girls. The discomfort I felt watching the movie made me question how I view my own reality. Next time, when you watch something you disagree with, you should think about why you disagree with it. Then, try to look at it from someone else’s perspective. You should never deal with conflict by pushing it aside so you don’t have to think about it anymore. While it is important to critique any media we consume and to recognize the effects it may have on society, not looking at the other side of the story can also have a negative impact. contact Mitchell Raley at rayleym@warhawks.ulm.edu
Education
Students must try harder to improve Zoom performance
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Don’t agree? Let us know! Contact the writers or the editor at manessk@warhawks.ulm.edu
Jenna Mason Getting dressed and going to class has been replaced by the new normal of pajamas and staying in bed. And with such a dramatic shift comes problems of focus and attendance during Zoom lectures. In modern times, skipping is as easy as a few clicks to the mute and video buttons, and it's a severe problem. According to Inside Higher Ed, our brain waves synchronize in conversation. As students, we thrive with interactive classrooms that involve two-way communication, peer discussion and everything that comes with them—bouncing ideas off each other, sharing confused looks, meeting study-buddies, and so much more that keeps learning interesting. With Zoom, all of this is lost. The Daily Dot describes
Zoom as an “authoritarian meeting,” where the professor spends an hour or so talking constantly with the student stuck staring at a screen. Despite all these challenges, improving the monotony and hardships of Zoom classes can be combatted with a little effort from us students. Before Zoom, get dressed. I know that it may be hard, but dressing the part makes a complete difference. Refinery 29 says that getting dressed can improve productivity, optimism and motivation. So, throw on a nice shirt, run a brush through your hair, put on some Chapstick and get busy. You need fuel to keep concentrated, whether it be coffee or food. According to Harvard MS, what you fuel your body with has a direct impact on how your brain is structured and how it functions. Therefore, make sure to eat before Zoom so your brain can concentrate. Stay engaged in discussions. If you are confused with what is happening, or your professor asks a question expecting an answer, don't be afraid to speak up. Next time you get ready to Zoom, remember these steps to stay attentive to the information being given. Remember that your grades are counting on you, and that this situation we are in is only temporary. contact Jenna Mason at masonj@warhawks.ulm.edu
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October 5, 2020
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
NEWS
Entertainment
Registration
ULM introduces new Enrollment increases podcast ‘Ace on Air’ despite pandemic by Cameron Jett
by Loryn Kykendall
ULM has always had media that provokes thought, insight and discussion. For example, KULX 91X, the school’s long-running radio station, was was the first all-digital radio studio in northeast Louisiana. Now, there’s something new that all students can tune in and listen to. ULM has launched a podcast called “Ace on Air.” It’s a biweekly podcast hosted by Solmone executive director of marketing and communication, Kelsey Bohl, and the assistant director of student experience, Ahmaad Solmone. Bohl is optimistic about the future guests of “Ace on Air.” “ULM is such a diverse campus and nobody’s story is anything like somebody else’s. I’m excited to get a firsthand account of these unique and incredible life stories,” she said. They’re planning to have a diverse group of guests including members of different student groups, alumni and various faculty members. The targeted length for each episode is 20 to 30 minutes, so everyone has time to casually tune in and learn about each episode’s exciting guest, while still giving listeners an episode that is more than worth their time. Bohl In the era of social distancing, a podcast is an excellent way to both inform and entertain people who have long felt disconnected from much of the world.
Listeners can simply download each episode and experience the personalities of people they may only know through pictures or schoolwide emails. The two are longtime fans of podcasts, and they said it’s been something they’ve wanted to do here at ULM for a while. They were ecstatic to announce the podcast’s debut earlier this year. Their eccentric and colorful personalities will bring out the best in their guests. The first full-length episode, which aired on Thursday, Oct. 1, starred ULM’s new President Ronald Berry and first lady Christine Berry. The episode gave an excellent look into Berry’s goals as president. Listeners got to know about his personal life in the episode, which is named “Patience is a Long Time.” All 45 minutes of it exhibit Bohl and Solmone’s potential as hosts. They urge listeners to give them suggestions for who they would like to be featured on future episodes. Students can contact them via email. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu
Annual Pink Pumpkins for the Cure is a non-profit fundraiser. Funds raised will be donated to local women’s clinics to assist in payment of uninsured procedures. All donations amounts will be accepted. For each minimum donation of $5, you will receive a FREE pumpkin of your choice -Cash -Check paid to the order of HSSA -venmo (@healthstudies) -cashapp ($healthstudies)
@ulm.hssa
@ulmhssa
Before the pandemic, ULM’s recruiting staff was confident about the future of student enrollment. But according to Sami Owens, executive director of recruitment, once COVID-19 hit, they knew things were going to get tough. They were right. People all over the country were suddenly unemployed and unable to pay for school. Colleges had to shut down and lost a lot of money, which made it difficult to lower tuition costs when school resumed in the fall. Despite these obstacles, ULM managed to bring its enrollment up this semester. The total enrollment for fall 2020 is 8,676, which is 187 more students than in fall 2019. First-time freshmen, undergraduate transfer and graduate enrollment are all higher than they were at this time last year. In fact, Sushma Krishnamurthy, dean of the graduate school, said that graduate enrollment is the highest it’s been in 36 years. “I am incredibly proud of the relentless and dedicated work of the admissions team, graduate marketing, program coordinators and student support, and outreach Krishnamurthy from across campus,” she said. Owens attributes this wave of new students to the team effort put forward by ULM. “I think if anything positive comes out of COVID-19, it will be learning how to work better together as a community,” she said. The first-time freshmen this semester are particularly accomplished with 90% of them having a high school GPA higher than a 3.0.
Health Studies Student Association presents
5th
They also have an average ACT score of 22. President Ronald Berry said that this uptick in enrollment is a result of students and families realizing ULM’s capacity for success. “The ULM family of faculty and staff diligently work to be second to none as we continue to support our students’ successes through a transformational process,” Berry said. In the future, Owens and the recruitment staff are expecting ULM’s success with enrollment to Owens continue. “I’m confident we will continue to grow,” she said. “Our university is moving forward on every level, and people are going to want to be a part of that.” contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
October 12, 2020 9am-2pm Follow us on Facebook @ulmhssa or Instagram @ulm.hssa to view the pumpkin decorating process and pick your pumpkin. Decoration suggestions are highly encouraged and being accepted now! Pumpkins are first come first serve.
For non-ulm participants accommodations contact Shreeyasha Pandey at can be pandeysh@warhawks.ulm.edu made for pickup at a later time or date.
October 5, 2020
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
NEWS
Competition
Runners unite for 36th annual University Mile Race founded in 1984 by Camile Currier by Skylar Henry
Last Wednesday, people stood on campus sidewalks watching their family and friends run in 36th annual University Mile. “Youth is a beautiful thing,” Mr. Steve Redding said, as he watched his granddaughter return from the finish line. “This is the first time I’ve been to this event. There is a lot of people, more than I expected. First time I have been on campus in 25 years and there was a big turnout.” Students, faculty, staff and community members came together to run the race. It started at Hemphill Hall and ended at the Activity Center. Everyone who signed up received an Adidas long-sleeve tee. After the race, an award ceremony was held at the finish line. People of all ages attended the
photo by Skylar Henry
ZOOMING THROUGH CAMPUS: Students, faculty and staff and community members gather to run through campus for the 36th annual University Mile.
event and runners supported each other through their shared love of athletics. Mile-runner and freshman Alec Pitney said, “I used to run in high school. Now I just run casually around campus. I didn’t get to run the Shamrock 5k last year so I figured running this one could make up for it.” Camile Currier, founder of the
mile run, managed ULM’s track and cross country teams for six years and is the former Vice President of Student Affairs. Recalling his inspiration for starting the University Mile, he said, “I was watching the 5th Avenue Mile that was ran in New York with 10,000 people on T.V. I said ‘We can do that!’” Soon after, he created a commu-
nity run of his own. He said the run went down Louisville Avenue, so they called it the Louisville Mile. Currier Their race was sponsored by Miller Lite, and they’d run at the
same time the homecoming parade was happening. After the race, everyone would get free beer. “When they quit doing the parade on Louisville Avenue, we brought it on campus and called it the University Mile,” Currier said. “I hope I’m around for the 50th!” contact Skylar Henry at henry@warhawks.ulm.edu
Athletics
Water ski team displays talent at bayou show by Carley Nail
It’s no secret that ULM has a great water ski team. They’ve won 29 National Championship titles, and last Monday the team showed off their water skiing talent once again. The water ski team held a show for everyone on the bayou. This show is usually an annual event, but due to the construction of the VCOM medical building, they were unable to host it last year. The team is excited to be back on the bayou and hosting water ski events. The team worked on ideas and prepared for the event for two weeks. The water skiers had a team meeting to discuss stunt ideas. The team’s coach, Michael Woodgate, printed signs and t-shirts and created social media promotions for the show. Team co-captain, Amanda Bryans, made a schedule to keep the show running smoothly. “Our team is very involved,” Bryans said. “Everyone gladly accepted a job to do, which was the main reason I think the show went so well. It was a great event to get us all working together.”
But this two-week preparation time for the show doesn’t compare to the many years of training the team members have had to endure to get this far in their water skiing careers. “Everyone on our team grew up on the water, Bryans most from the age of five or younger, so we’ve all had some degree on performing stunts,” Bryans said. The stunts and jumps the team had to learn for the show came easily because of the years of hard work and dedication it has put into competing. Junior psychology major and water skier, Dominique Allard, explained that the team did some jumps that they usually do for competition, but also threw in some fun stunts. “The tricks like the Allard pyramid or the human handle or two people over the ramp, we don’t usually do that,” Allard said.
photo by Skylar Henry
BALANCING ON THE BAYOU: Team members perform a pyramid trick to wow the audience during their water ski show at Bayou Desiard.
“We just wanted to put on the best show possible!” The students and members of the community that came out to support the water ski team were amazed at the different stunts they Stallings performed. The crowd favorites were the multiple trick skier stunts and the human handle.
Team member Garrett Stallings was overwhelmed by the amount of students that went to the show. “I was really pleased to see the support that we received from VCOM and the student body,” Stallings said. “It makes me feel grateful to be able to compete for a university where we are recognized and appreciated not only by the employees, but also by the student body.” contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
FREESTYLE
October 5, 2020
HOMECO
HANGING ON: Warhawks hold on to the raging mechanical bull as it tries to throw them off.
Students get creative with paint, pretzels by Uchechi Owunna
Students chatted excitedly as they lined-up in the hallway of the SUB Hangar hoping to be among the 50 students that were admitted into the Painting with a Twist event held during homecoming week. Once Painting with a Twist started, students were given everything they needed to paint, including a white canvas with a sketch of Louisiana on it. Students were able to walk home confidently with paintings of the sun setting on the bayou that they created themselves as they listened to music and ate pretzels Kathryn Irvin, senior political science major, organized this event as a part of the homecoming festivities. She said that this was an event she had discussed with Joel Sinclair, CAB advisor, last semester. But due to the pandemic, they could not hold the event then. “I thought this would be a great idea for homecoming since this year’s theme is ‘Together We Rise,’ and we all rise together as one. The event was such a success that next time, we would have to make it bigger so it
could include more students,” Irvin said. Irvin also said she thinks CAB would include more crafting events like this that help students explore their creativity. Ja’mya Walker, freshman pre-nursing major, said that she thought the event was a great idea for homecoming because it creates a platform for students that like to paint but do not want to show it, to paint while remaining anonymous. Throughout the event, members of the Painting with a Twist studio and CAB walked around helping students by refreshing their drinks and providing guidance whenever they were stuck on any stage of the process. “I think CAB did a good job promoting the event, although they could have sent it out in an email. But doing the event in the evening was a great idea since most students would be done with classes and could attend if they wanted to,” said Diamond Green, freshman prenursing major.
contact Uchechi Owunna at owunnaud@warhawks.ulm.edu
photos courtesy ULM ph
RISING WITH ROYALS: Homecoming queen, Lauren Nguyen, and king, Ivan A pose for a photo as they drive down the bayou homecoming parade.
October 5, 2020
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
FREESTYLE
OMING
hoto services
Alvarez, in the
PAGE 7
photos courtesy ULM photo services
WARHAWKS RISE TOGETHER: Students take flight during homecoming's signature event, hot air balloon rides.
Homecoming court parades in style by Uchechi Owunna
As Warhawks stood waiting on their turn to get on the hot air balloon on a chilly Thursday evening, the rat-a-tat-tat of the Sound of Today Marching Band drumming suddenly filled the atmosphere. The members of the band marched forward, following the Hawkline and the university cheer team, while playing their instruments with perfect synchronization. Behind them a cart carried President Ronald Berry and first lady, Christine Berry. Miss ULM, Allison Newton, trailed behind their cart on her horse, Sutton. The homecoming court followed behind Miss ULM, starting from the freshman beau and maid, to the homecoming king and queen. The homecoming king and queen wore Mardi Gras beads to reflect Mardi Gras culture in Louisiana. Students that were standing in line for hot air balloon rides were captivated, and excitedly cheered for the homecoming court as they paraded into Bayou Park. Michael Zhou, a member of CAB who helped organize the hot air balloon rides, said, “The idea was to have the balloon ride alongside the homecoming parade. Since the balloon ride is now becoming a signature of homecoming at the univer-
sity, it is a good way to bring the students out and see them cheer for their fellow students.” Shania Lewis, who ran for senior maid, said that she felt the push to run for homecoming court this year and she followed it. She said, since it was her last year of college, there was no reason not to run for court. In the end, parading down the bayou made for a great memory. “Despite the pandemic, I still saw students excited and receptive of the homecoming festivities. If you want to run for homecoming court, go ahead because you never know what could happen, be creative and have fun with the campaign process,” Lewis said. Bryce Lovelady, the junior beau, who also represented the school on the homecoming court last year, said that he was not expecting to win the homecoming election this year because of his great competition. “It felt amazing to be able to represent my school on the court again,” Lovelady said. “Even with the pandemic, I still enjoyed the experience. I am grateful for the university because it has shaped me into the person I am today.” contact Uchechi Owunna at owunnaud@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
October 5, 2020
SPORTS
Opinion
Football
Self-reflection will improve football team
Dallon Lewis The ULM Football team is going through a serious rough patch this season. We can’t pin the blame on just the coaching style, personnel choices or lackluster effort. There is blame to place everywhere, starting with ULM lagging behind in almost every statistical category. The NewsStar said ULM (0-3, 0-1 SBC) averages a Sun Belt Conference-worst 279 yards, 37 yards rushing and 10 points per game. The offense has gained just 111 total yards on the ground through three games. The Warhawks strugge to find the endzone as well. Coach Viator believes in this current squad, but history is bound to repeat itself. In Viator’s last four seasons as ULM’s head coach, ULM has been unable to reach playoff success. If I’m holding Viator to his former McNeese State success, then this probably isn’t what ULM was expecting. In his nine seasons with McNeese State, he was 4-5 on playoff attempts. ULM’s chances of a postseason appearance may be unlikely. The next issue is the defense’s lack of adjustment toward the run game. In their last three games, the Warhawks have allowed 788 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, giving up 5.3 yards per carry. There’s no other way to paint this picture. The Warhawks’ future is dependent on proper week-by-week analysis, and expecting more from its roster. The best way to entice students to home games is by developing a winning culture. It’ll always be difficult to hold a fanbase together with a history of consistent underperformance. The Warhawks have no choice but to reexamine their weaknesses and readjust. They have to gain some solid footholds on defense to save some reps for the offense. The offensive side of the ball has no choice but to produce weekly results if the Warhawks want to reach an above .500 record. Undoubtedly, it’s unrealistic to expect ULM to maintain this streak longer than one or two more game. For the homecoming game, they have an unfavorable match up against Georgia Southern whose run game will keep the Warhawks in the film room. contact Dallon Lewis at lewisdt@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo by Carley Nail
ONE FELL SWOOP: ULM Warhawks lose homecoming game to Georgia Southern Eagles 35-30. In the end, Quarterback Colby Suits was denied a walk-off touchdown.
Homecoming heartbreak: Warhawks fall short Georgia Southern Eagles beat ULM 35-30 by Cameron Jett
ULM hosted the Georgia Southern Eagles this Saturday for homecoming. Although it was an incredible display of football, the Warhawks would be on the losing end but just barely. Late in the 4th, ULM’s defense would stop the Eagles on 3rd and short, forcing a punt. The drive would start with 2:37 left and the Warhawks trailing by five. Facing 3rd and 10, Colby Suits was able to find wide receiver Jevin Frett to keep the drive going. Suits would get a vital rushing pickup on the next play. With pass protection opening a gap and all of Viator the Eagles defense dropping back into coverage, Suits would take off towards the endzone as time ran out. Unfortunately, after a long review, he would be deemed short of the endzone. Coach Matt Viator said that he “couldn’t be prouder of the guys on both sides of the ball,”
and that he has never been in such a close game in his career. Despite being 0-4, this team is finally showing strides of being a complete football team. ULM could be a team to watch for in the following weeks.
Colby Suits is denied a walk-off touchdown. Warhawks fall to 0-4 and 0-2 in Sun Belt Conference.
After quickly finding themselves down 7-0, the Warhawks seemed to take their game to another gear. The Eagles failed a 4th down conversion near midfield, and the Warhawks were able to get into scoring range. Josh Pederson caught a tipped pass that allowed kicker Davis Hughes to put ULM on the board. Georgia State would score on the next drive, but ULM’s offense would answer back with a touchdown of their own. Running back Josh Johnson would break free on a 26-yard rush to the end zone. This back and forth trend would continue with the visiting Eagles putting together an eight-minute, 15 play drive for 75 yards resulting in Wesley
Kennedy’s second score on the ground. The Warhawks felt a sense of urgency getting the ball back under two minutes and trailing by 11 points. Viator would opt to go for a 4th and 7 to keep the drive alive. Again, Viator decided to pass up the chip shot field goal with three seconds on the clock. This decision would prove to be the right choice as QB Colby Suits would connect to Malik Jackson from two yards out. The score at the half was 21-17 Georgia Southern. The Eagles would come out swinging to start the second half. A rushing touchdown and a blocked punt recovered for a score put them up big time. The Warhawks, however, would find a way to fight back from 35-17. Running back Josh Johnson would find paydirt twice in the second half. One coming on a two-yard run and another coming on a two-yard reception from Suits. This game showed the most complete game of football all season for ULM. Suits would connect for 334 passing yards with another 51 on the ground. He would complete passes to 10 different players and a total of two passing touchdowns. Safety Tyler Glass led the defense with 10 of the team’s 77 tackles. While the Warhawks only converted on 5 of 15 3rd downs, they were a perfect 5 for 5 on 4th down. contact Cameron Jett jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu