Win the Battle and the War: A UL Monroe WarHawk Dynasty

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THE CAMPUS GAZETTE

ESCAPED!!
WARHAWK SENIORS AVERT 4TH QUARTER MELTDOWN TO GET SENIOR DAY VICTORY OVER ARKANSAS STATE 34-28

(AP) Monoe, LA - Warhawk players jumped around on the sideline, then rushed the field in celebration.It was more like a collective sigh of relief.
The first place Warhawks staved off a hard charging Arkansas State team in the fourth quarter.
It was a 2 yard Cameron Porter touchdown run with 6 seconds remaining, capping the comeback drive giving UL Monroe a 34-28 victory against Arkansas State.
"I'm speechless," said Warhawk senior tight end Charles Webb, who just moments before Porter's touchdown hauled in a 30 yard catch on third down. "I've never seen a game end like that. We overcome adversity. That's what we do."

The Warhawks (9-1) also got a 19 yard catch from Doug Williams to start the drive off.
Arkansas State did little on offense most of the day and looked to be in serious trouble when the Warhawks took a 24-14 third quarter lead. But they would answer every chance they got quietly staying in the game.

Quarterback Anthony Stevens showed why he was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. He was 12 of 14 for 241 yards and 3 more touchdowns while throwing no interceptions.
"In a sense you can almost say we dominated the game." Said Stevens, " But we just didnt make enough plays to top them."

His counterpart Jonathon Mayfield was equally as impressive going 20 of 26 for 343 yards and two touchdowns. But his interception in the fourth quarter with the Warhawks up 27-21 seemed to knock all the momentum out of them as they Watched Stevens Orchestrate a perfect 6 play drive that would put the Red Wolves up 28-27 with just 1:10 seconds left.

"I looked at the clock after they scored and said to myself thats plenty of time for us to do work." Said Mayfield. Mayfield would would lead the Warhawks to to the Arkansas State 38 yard line in just three plays. But a bad sack had them facing a 3rd and 13 from the 41 with 38 seconds left.
On the play Mayfield rolled to the right firing a tight pass to tight end Charles Webb who bounced off a Red Wolves defender being sprinting down the field to the 10 yard line gaining a huge first down as the crowd erupted.
"Hes the teams leading receiving, hes in the running for the Mackey award and plays like that show you why." head coach Eddie Polly said. Two Cameron Porter rushes later saw the Warhawks back up for good with just six seconds remaining.

The Warhawks dominated the majority of the game as the offense gained 500 total yards. A balance of Porter on the ground and Mayfield passing helped them dominate the time of possession as well as they held the ball for over 16 minutes to just 7:24 seconds by the Red Wolves.
But every time the Warhawks tried to pul away the Red Wolves would answer.
"We just ran out of time" Said Stevens.

The Warhawks have now put themselves in position to clinch at least a share of the conference title. Next up for the Warhawks is a bye before finishing the season on the road at South Alabama and UL Lafayette.

Arkansas State Red Wolves at Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Nov 7, 2013 1 2 3 4 F ARST (5-4) 7 7 7 7 28 ULM (9-1) 7 10 7 10 34 PLAYER OF THE GAME ULM : CAMERON PORTER 27 RUSH 155 YARDS 2 TOUCHDOWNS	Team Stats Comparison ARST ULM First Downs 8 22 3rd Down Efficiency 4-7 6-8 4th Down Efficiency -- -- Total Yards 345 500 Passing Yards 241 343 Rushing Yards 104 157 Penalties-Penalty Yards 2-30 4-41 Turnovers 0 1 Time of Possession 7:24 16:36
Arkansas State Red Wolves QB A. STEVENS 12-14 241 YARDS 3 TOUCHDOWNS WR K. JEAN 3 REC 79 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWNS LB R. WILLIAMSON 4 TACKLES 1 INTERCEPTION Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks WR D. WILLIAMS 8 REC 101 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWN WR C. PRESTON 6 REC 120 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWN TE C. WEBB 5 REC 106 YARDS

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AROUND THE NATION


NOT AGAIN: THE FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS BECOME THE THIRD STRAIGHT #1 TO FALL AS THE WYOMING COWBOYS UPSET THEM 45-31

TOP STORIES:

• NO ONE IS SAFE WHEN IT COMES TO BEING NO. 1

• STANFORD GETS BIG TIME WIN OVER THE DUCKS 38-21

• AGGIES LOOK TO BE NO.1 AFTER BLOWOUT WIN

• KANSAS STATE SQUEAKS BY TECH, 34-28

• BROWNS 37 YARD FG AS TIME EXPIRES SENDS ANN ARBOR INTO RUCKUS AS MICHIGAN BEATS NEBRASKA 29-27

• BAYOU BENGALS GO INTO TUSCALOOSA AND COME OUT ALIVE, WIN 21-16

• HOKIES TAKE ACC LEAD AFTER ROUTING HURRICANES 45-7

• IT WAS CLOSE BUT LONGHORNS PREVAIL 17-14 OVER WEST VIRGINIA

TOP 25

1. TAMU 9-1
2. OHIO STATE 8-1
3. SOUTH CAROLINA 8-1
4. TEXAS 8-1
5. MICHIGAN STATE 8-1
6. LSU 8-2
7. FLORIDA 7-2
8. KANSAS STATE 8-1
9. UTAH 7-2
10. NEBRASKA 7-2
11. ALABAMA 7-2
12. WISCONSIN 7-2
13. NOTRE DAME 8-2
14. OREGON 7-2
15. GEORGIA 6-3
16. FRESNO STATE 9-1
17. MICHIGAN 6-3
18. TENNESSEE 6-4
19. USC 7-2
20. CLEMSON 6-3
21. VIRGINIA TECH 9-1
22. MIAMI 7-2
23. STANFORD 5-4
24. BOISE STATE 7-2
25. UL MONROE 9-1

HEISMAN TALK
- As the season winds down its looking like a three headed race at the moment as Randy Beard (TAMU) David Williams (Ohio State) and Cameron Porter (ULM) are all making their case for the coveted Heisman. Beard and Williams are on the #1 and #2 teams in the country while Porter has helped lead UL Monroe gain their first ever top 25 appearance.

1. Randy Beard QB (SO) TAMU
2. Cameron Porter HB (SR) UL Monroe
3. David Williams QB (JR) Ohio State
4. Cameron Ward QB (SR) Nebraska
5. Mark Bentley QB (SR) Northern Illinois
   

BCS TALK
- Since the BCS polls came up last month all three number 1 teams have fallen. A new number one in Texas A&M led by reigning Heisman trophy winner Randy Beard will get their opportunity to prove they belong. Coming in at a close second is Ohio State.

1. TAMU ---
2. OHIO STATE .997
3. SOUTH CAROLINA .989
4. TEXAS .984
5. LSU .976
6. MICHIGAN STATE .976
7. FLORIDA .968
8. KANSAS STATE .960
9. UTAH .957
10. NEBRASKA .950

THIS WEEKS TOP STORIES

• Positioning on the line in the MAC between Buffalo (5-0 conf) Toledo (4-1 conf) and Ball State (6-0 conf) at Northern Illinois (5-0 conf)

• #7 Gators set to due battle with #3 Gamecocks in Columbia

• Showdown in the Big10 as #5 Michigan State heads to Lincoln to face #10 Nebraska

• #9 Utah says theyre ready for #14 Oregon in Pac-12 North battle

[gorillapittpray]

FANS LIKE THE NEW AND IMPROVED WARHAWKS

Monroe, LA - For a long the Warhawks have been a cellar dweller. Malone stadium was half full and the Warhawks expected the losing outcomes they were getting. Last year the Warhawks were a game away from winning the conference. In fact they havent won their conference since 2005. They played in the schools first ever bowl game losing to Ohio last year. But with a new coach comes a new regime and a new way of doing things. This has led to the Warhawks starting the season off 9-1 and filling up Malone Stadium.
"This is the south. Football is loved down here so why not try and get a product for these kids and this community to like wand support." Said head coach Eddie Polly whose in the running for Libery Mutual coach of the year.
This past weekend during senior day the Warhawks took a moment for fan appreciation before giving this university a win and now a top 25 ranking.
"The Players work hard but without the support of the community and fans that hard work goes unwarranted."
The Warhawks have locked up a bowl and hopes to finish the season and sneak into a bigger bowl. "Thats the plane but we have to take care of business during this bye week and get ready for South Alabama."

RECRUITING NEWS

- After last weeks win the Warhawks were able to get five more commitments. "When you can impact a kid this ealy in the recruiting process, it shows they understand what type of program we're trying to become. The parents wan their kids to be taken care of as they start some of the most important years of their lives." Said Polly

1. 3 star DB Justin Allen (Louisiana)
2. 3 star LB Sam Harris (Georgia)
3. 3 star RB Dominique Pollock (Louisiana)
4. 3 star DB Andy Anderson (Louisiana)
5. 3 star LB Clay Cooper (Mississippi)

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

• UL Lafayette grabbed a big win over Troy 21-14
• Western Kentucky was blanked by Army 24-0

CONFERENCE STANDING

1. UL MONROE 9-1, 5-0
2. ARKANSAS STATE 5-4, 3-1
3. TEXAS STATE 4-5, 2-2
4. UL LAFAYETTE 4-5, 2-2
5. TROY 6-4, 3-3-
6. WESTERN KENTUCKY 5-5, 2-3
7. SOUTH ALABAMA 3-5, 1-3
8. GEORGIA 3-6, 0-4

[gorillapittpray]

AROUND THE NATION


**** FIGHT: THE GAMECOCKS GRABBED A 35-23 WIN OVER THE GATORS, EXPERT EXPECT THEM TO JUMP A&M AS THE NEW NO.1

TOP STORIES

• HOOSIERS HAND BADGERS THIER THIRD CONFERENCE LOSS 28-21

• TCU WHIPS KANSAS STATE IN MANHATTEN 34-19

• BIG 10 GAME OF THE WEEK SAW NEBRASKA BEAT MICHIGAN STATE 32-27

• HOKIES MAKING SOME NOISE, IMPROVE TO 10-1 WITH 35-13 WIN OVER MARYLAND

• LONGHORNS KEEP WINNING IMPROVE TO 9-1

• UTES OUTMATCHED AS DUCKS ROLL 34-17

• NORTHERN ILLINOIS LED BY MR. BENTLEY HANGS ON IN SHOOTOUT WITH BALL STATE TO KEEP CONFERENCE HOPES ALIVE 49-42
  

TOP 25

1. SOUTH CAROLINA 9-1
2. TAMU 9-1
3. OHIO STATE 9-1
4. TEXAS 9-1
5. LSU 8-2
6. NEBRASKA 8-2
7. ALABAMA 8-2
8. MICHIGAN STATE 8-2
9. OREGON 8-2
10. NOTRE DAME 8-2
11. FLORIDA 7-3
12. FRESNO STATE 9-1
13. MICHIGAN 7-3
14. UTAH 7-3
15. TENNESSEE 6-4
16. KANSAS STAE 8-2
17. VIRGINIA TECH 10-1
18. STANFORD 6-4
19. MIAMI 8-2
20. BOISE STATE 8-2
21. UL MONROE 9-1
22. GEORGIA TECH 8-2
23. ARIZONA 8-2
24. USC 7-3
25. WISCONSIN 7-3

HEISMAN TALK
- David Williams currently has his Buckeyes ranked #3 in the country and after a 413 yard 5 touchdown performance against Illinois the quarterback hopes to get them into national championship talks

1. RANDY BEARD QB (SO) TAMU
2. DAVID WILLIAMS QB (jr) OHIO STATE
3. CAMERON PORTER RB (sr) UL MONROE
4. MARK BENTLEY QB (SR) N. ILLINOIS
5. CAMERON WARD QB (SR) NEBRASKA

BCS TALK
- Fourth the fourth straight week we have a new number 1 team in the BCS. Only difference this week was the previous number one did not falter. After a big time home win over the Gators the computers gave South Carolina the nod over Texas A&M. A&M however, has a big time game this week against #5 LSU on the road. A win can almost certainly give A&M that No.1 spot again.

1. SOUTH CAROLINA ---
2. TEXAS A&M .998
3. OHIO STATE .995
4. TEXAS .989
5. LSU .984
6. NEBRASKA .979
7. ALABAMA .974
8. OREGON .963
9. MICHIGAN STATE .963
10. NOTRE DAME 9.58

THIS WEEKS TOP STORIES

• MARK BENTLEY AND THE NIU HUSKIES FACE TOLEDO

• #1 GAMECOCKS HOPE TO NOT LOOK PASSED FCS EAST

• ARIZONA RANKED 23RD IN THE COUNTRY KNOWS THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO HANDLE #9 OREGON

• #2 AGGIES AND RANDY BEARD HEAD TO DEATH VALLEY TO AKE ON THE #5 TIGERS OF LSU

• #20 BOISE TRIES TO LOCK UP THE MWC AS THEY FACE A 8-2 SAN DIEGO STATE TEAM

• SOONERS LOOK TO AVENGE LAST YEARS LOSS AS THEY TRAVEL TO #16 KANSAS STATE

[gorillapittpray]

STAYING FOCUSED
WARHAWKS HIT ROAD FOR FINAL TWO GAMES

(SAFETY BRIAN RAYMOND ONE OF FIVE WARHAWKS ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST FOR END OF SEASON AWARDS)

MONROE, LA - As the Warhawks get media attention, the focus goes with it. As the nations most prestigious awards announced their finalist, the new top 25 was posted as well showing the Warhawks as the #21 team in the country.
Cameron Porter was announced as finialist for the Walker and Walter Camp awards. Receiver Corey Preston was a finalist for the Biletnikoff award. Tight End Charles Webb was a finalist for the Mackey award. Safety Brian Raymond was a finalist for the Bednarik award and freshmen Jim White seems to be the favorite for the returner of the year award.
"This program is very pleased to be recognized as a school as well as hae some of our young men recognized." quoted head coach Eddie Polly. "To limit the distraction, we had a meeting earlier this week, told the guys our rankings, told the selected few they were finalist and congratulated them. I went on to tell them none of that means nothing if we lose one of these two remaining games."
The Warhawks are coming off a bye week ad hope to still be connecting on all cylinders, if this weeks practice was any indications the Warhawks should be good to go.

RECRUITING NEWS
- Warhawks are pleased to announce another signing for the 2014 class. Three star Receiver Frank Johnson out of Grapevine, Texas gave his verbal during the Warhawks bye week. Johnson chose the Warhawks over Houston University, Texas Tech and La Tech. He is the third receiver to sign with this class and the 10th commitment. The Warhawks are still in a tight recruiting battle for Canyon Lake Texas quarterback Justin Clay, the 6th rated quarterback in the 2014 class.

CONFERENCE NEWS

• Arkansas State keeps pace with the Warhawks as they beat Texas State 23-7
• Navy handles South Alabama 35-7
• Georgia State battles back from 17 down to beat UL Lafayette 34-31
• Troy no match for Ole Miss

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

1. UL MONROE 9-1 5-0
2. ARKANSAS STATE 6-4, 4-1
3. TROY 6-5, 3-3
4. TEXAS STATE 4-6, 2-3
5. UL LAFAYETTE 4-6, 2-3
6. WESTERN KENTUCKY 5-5, 2-3
7. SOUTH ALABAMA 3-6, 1-3
8. GEORGIA STATE 4-6, 1-4

Matchup Preview | November 23, 2013
	@
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (9-1, 5-0, Away)		South Alabama Jaguars (3-6, 1-3, Home)
KEY PLAYERS QB JONATHON MAYFIELD 2830 YARDS 20 TOUCHDOWNS LB KEITH NANCE 74 TACKLES RB CAMERON PORTER 1,191 YARDS 22 TOUCHDOWNS LB JACOB FREDERICK 73 TACKLES 1 SACK 2 INTERCEPTIONS WR COREY PRESTON 953 YARDS 10 TOUCHDOWNS CB ANDRE STEVENSON 27 TACKLES 4 INTERCEPTIONS Game Notes Some say its a trap some say teams were just prepared. In order for none of that to be said, The Warhawks need to play fundamental mistake free football to escaped a road trip to South Alabama. Easier said than done, but when you have the top running back in the country facing the 124th worst rush defense you have to give him the ball and expect the Warhawks to give Porter as well as Kramer a big does of the ball while playing it smart in the air. Mayfield has turned his season around and has become a smarter passer, he'll take his chances when they come. For South Alabama to pull out of the great upsets in school history they need running back Nate Williamson to protect the football, hes fumbled 5 times this season. Linebacker Keith Nance leads the conference with 74 tackles and fellow backer Jacob Frederick is second with 73. Those two will need keep the Warhawks running game in front of them and will their defense to make plays.

[gorillapittpray]

THE CAMPUS GAZETTE

CONFERENCE CHAMPS
WARHAWKS GRAB SUN BELT WITH 59-26 WIN OVER SOUTH ALABAMA

(AP) Mobile, AL - Jonathon Mayfield couldn't stop smiling after becoming UL Monroe's single season passing leader. The wide grin wasn't just about what he accomplished personally Saturday afternoon breaking his own record, but throwing more interceptions this season than his whole career and yet the Warhawks (10-1, 6-0) are now conference champs for the first time since 2005.Porter gained 116 yards, while Mayfield passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns, and UL Monroe overwhelmed South Alabama (3-7, 1-4) 59-26 and hopefully move a few more spots in the top 25.

"It's a great feeling," said Mayfield, a 6-foot-1, 203-pound senior from Lubbock, Texas said. "All praises to my teammates. They catch the balls, block for each other and just have fun. My goal wasn't to break the record, just to help the team. Winning is our only motive. We understand what kind of position we're in."

The Warhawks saw themselves in a tight battle with the Jaguars early in the game after Mayfields third interception saw their 21-12 halftime lead drop to just 19-21 when tailback Brandon White took advantage of the short field by running in a 9 yard touchdowns.

"At that point something had to change," Senior safety Brian Raymond said. "He had been doing really well these last few weeks but we as a defense went to him and just told him he needs to focus."

Mayfield answered by finding Senior receiver Doug Williams on a 37 yard touchdown connection, putting the Warhawks up 28-19, a quick turn around after corner Marcus Hardin grabbed his second interception on the day saw Mayfield connect with receiver Corey Preston from 15 yards putting the Warhawks up 35-19 and back in a comfortable state.
Preston hauled in 7 passes for 108 yards while Williams grabbed 6 receptions for 117 yards. Tailback Cameron Porter was ruled out for the second half after bruising his foot on 56 yard touchdown late in the second quarter. Back up Ron Kramer filled in fine rushing for 100 yards and two scores.

The story of the game coming out in the second half, of course Mayfield would break the single season passing yards record one he set last year. But senior corner Marcus Hardin stole the show picking off three passes returning one 56 yards for the touchdown.
"I dont know what he thought" referring to quarterback Adam Thorne who was seemingly throwing away from Clayton. "But I was sure enough gonna make him pay for it." Stated Hardin.
Thorne did throw for 319 yards but had no interceptions throwing those three interceptions to Hardin on 31 of 43 yards passing. The Warhawks held South Alabama to 4 of 12 on third downs and sacking Thorne three times.
"Loved the overall effort today, and more importantly we got the win and can call ourselves conference champs." Said Polly. A win next week and the Warhawks will be able to call themselves outright Sun Belt champs!

The Warhawks close out the regular season with a trip to Lafayette, to take on the Ragin Cagins.

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at South Alabama Jaguars
Nov 23, 2013 1 2 3 4 F ULM (10-1) 7 14 10 28 59 USA (3-7) 6 6 7 7 26 PLAYER OF THE GAME ULM - DB MARCUS HARDIN 4 TACKLES 3 INTERCEPTION 1 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN	Team Stats Comparison ULM USA First Downs 23 20 3rd Down Efficiency 1-3 4-12 Total Yards 590 408 Passing Yards 374 319 Rushing Yards 216 89 Turnovers 3 3 Time of Possession 12:53 15:07
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks HB C. PORTER 12 CARRIES 116 YARDS 2 TOUCHDOWNS DB M. HUNTER 13 TACKLES WR D. WILLIAMS 6 REC 117 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWN South Alabama Jaguars WR R. HOLIDAY 94 YARDS DB Z. ROBERTS 12 TACKLES DB J. CNEIL 7 TACKLES

[ooHEADLINERoo]

Nice first season, your bowl matchup should be interesting, no clue where the Sun Belt winner goes though haha.

[gorillapittpray]

AROUND THE NATION


FLIP FLOP: LSU'S VICTORY OVER AGGIES PUTS THEM IN THE RUNNING FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

TOP STORIES

• Back to back losses for Hurricanes as they drop one to Virginia 31-24

• Wolverines win wild one at Iowa 40-38

• Buckeyes continue to show force route Indiana 37-7 and improve to 10-1

• Spartans 17-14 win over Northwestern saves season for better bowl

• Arizona falters late as Ducks survive scare 45-42

• San Diego State uses three overtimes to out last Boise 42-34

• Kansas State routed by Sooners 45-21

TOP 25

1. SOUTH CAROLINA 10-1
2. LSU 9-2
3. OHIO STATE 10-1
4. TEXAS 9-1
5. NEBRASKA 9-2
6. ALABAMA 9-2
7. TEXAS A&M 9-2
8. MICHIGAN STATE 9-2
9. OREGON 9-2
10. NOTRE DAME 9-2
11. FLORIDA 8-3
12. MICHIGAN 8-3
13. TENNESSEE 7-4
14. VIRGINIA TECH 10-1
15. STANFORD 7-4
16. UL MONROE 10-1
17. GEORGIA TECH 9-2
18. USC 8-3
19. SAN DIEGO STATE 9-2
20. KANSAS STATE 8-3
21. GEORGIA 7-4
22. VIRGINIA 8-3
23. MIAMI 8-3
24. OKLAHOMA 7-4
25. BOISE STATE 8-3

HEISMAN TALK
- UL Monroe's Cameron Porter is having quite a season for the Warhawks. He's fourth in rushing yards (1,307) but leads the NCAA with a staggering 24 touchdowns and still has one game left to add on to his totals. The Warhawks are 10-1.

1. CAMERON PORTER HB (SR) UL MONROE - 1,307 YARDS 24 TOUCHDOWNS
2. DAVID WILLIAMS QB (JR) OHIO STATE - 2,923 YARDS 29TD 792 YARDS 7TD
3. CAMERON WARD QB (SR) NEBRASKA - 2,269 YARDS 22TD 935 YARDS 9TD
4. DENNIS LLOYD QB (SO) OREGON - 2,745 YARDS 29TD 604 YARDS 8TD
5. MARK BENTLEY QB (SR) 2,574 YARDS 24TD 817 YARDS 10TD

BCS TALK
- With a 41-3 win over FCS-E the Gamecocks stayed number one in the BCS. A looming showdown with in state rival Clemson could make or break their national championship hopes next week. LSU jumped over Ohio State after taking down A&M. Texas sitting at 4 may be in the best position pending their game with Texas Tech.

1. SOUTH CAROLINA
2. LSU .997
3. OHIO STATE .995
4. TEXAS .990
5. NEBRASKA .987
6. TAMU .982
7. ALABAMA .975
8. NOTRE DAME .968
9. MICHIGAN STATE .958

THIS WEEKS TOP STORIES

• #4 TEXAS LOOKS TO GO 10-1 AS THEY FACE TEXAS TECH

• OREGON STATE CONFIDENT ON CIVIL WAR WEEKEND AGAINST #9 OREGON

• THE BIG GAME IS JUST THAT FOR #3 BUCKEYES WHO KNOW #12 MICHIGAN WILL COME TO PLAY

• #14 HOKIES CAN GO UNDEFEATED IN CONFERENCE PLAY WITH WIN OVER #22 VIRGINIA

• CLEMSON LOOKS TO KEEP THE TREND GOING BY TRYING TO KNOCK #1 SOUTH CAROLINA OFF

• #10 IRISH CAN MAKE IT 10 WINS WITH WIN OVER #15 STANFORD