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LOUISIANA-MONROE Team Report

By The Sports Xchange
10/17/2006
 
INSIDE SLANT

The Warhawks (1-5, 0-3) easily could have a reversed record, but the reality is they're already out of the Sun Belt Conference race.

ULM tied for the league championship a year ago but has lost its first three conference games by a combined 10 points.

The Warhawks will begin week one of a spoiler role this week when they play host to Middle Tennessee, which is off to a 2-0 start in Sun Belt play.

"It should help," ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie said of playing at home. "We've haven't played as well at home as I'd hoped for. ... We've lost four games by a total of 13 points, and we've been in every football game. We've got to find a way to finish."

One concern this week has to be containing Middle Tennessee's defense, which stunts and blitzes a lot and leads the Sun Belt in tackles for losses.

Additionally, ULM hasn't been able to run the ball, and sophomore quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster has been running for his life and has been knocked out of the last two games with injuries.

"We've got to do a great job protecting, and we've got to run the football," Weatherbie said. "We can't make (Lancaster) a target sitting in the pocket."

NOTES, QUOTES

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Warhawks average just 15 points a game. Turnovers and consistency at quarterback have been two major problems. The offensive line is experienced and the skill players are very solid. If ULM can avoid the costly turnovers, it can still have a productive offense.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense has played well the past two weeks and has forced 18 turnovers this season. The secondary is excellent, and if the defensive line can continue to improve, ULM can certainly cause opponents problems defensively.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've got to find a way to take advantage of our home field." -- ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie, referring to the Warhawks' struggles in conference play at home.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Louisiana-Monroe vs. Middle Tennessee, Oct. 21 -- The Warhawks are out of the Sun Belt race, having already lost three league games, but they can play the role of spoiler against Middle Tennessee this week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DB Kevin Payne -- The senior leads ULM with 56 tackles and four interceptions.

QB Kinsmon Lancaster -- The sophomore has struggled the past two weeks and was knocked out of each game with an injury. Lancaster has a lot of talent but needs to be more consistent in the passing game.

DB Josh Thompson -- The sophomore is second on the team with 39 tackles and second with three interceptions.

ROSTER REPORT: Sophomore QB Kinsmon Lancaster (leg) was knocked out of the game in the first half against Troy last week.

WR Joe Merritt has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

Senior DB Quintez Secka (hamstring) missed his second consecutive game last week.

Previous Report: 10/15/2006


 

 

 


 
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