What we learned about ULM after final scrimmage

JPS Field at Malone Stadium hosted another round of ULM backup quarterback roulette during the final scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.

True freshman Colby Suits had the best day statistically, completing 9 of 17 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Junior J.T. Jackson (7-of-17, 97 yards two touchdowns), junior Brennen Wooten (8-of-9, 102 yards) and sophomore Matt Gardner (2-of-3, 24 yards, one touchdown) all led touchdown drives working with the first- and second-team offenses.

Starter Caleb Evans played 20 snaps and finished 8-of-10 for 86 yards and one touchdown to R.J. Turner that covered 39 yards.

The Warhawks simulated five different game situations during the scrimmage…

Coming out from the 25-yard line

Jackson led a four-play touchdown drive with the second-team offense punctuated by Austin Vaughn’s 4-yard run. Wooten and Suits had similar success, throwing touchdowns during the period. Wooten’s 75-yard touchdown pass to Batiste was the longest play of the scrimmage. Suits followed by connecting with Tyler Lamm on a 14-yard scoring strike.

Midfield

Turner outjumped Kenderick Marbles in the middle of the end zone to give the first-team offense its first touchdown in two scrimmages. Jonathan Hodoh made the first of his two touchdown catches on a 16-yard toss from Gardner. Lamm also caught his second score, an eight-yarder from Jackson.

Going in from the 5-yard line

Suits maximized his two snaps with touchdowns to Hodoh and Darius Rodrigue. Jackson starting the period with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Green.

Four-minute offense inside the 2-yard line

The defense did the only scoring of the period when Rashaad Harding scooped up a Kayin White fumble and raced 13 yards across the goal line.

Two-minute offense from the 30-yard line

Jackson and Suits took turns behind center with Suits moving the offense in position for a 31-yard Craig Ford field goal.

Skill position depth

ULM’s wide receiver and running back rotations remain a work in progress. Hodoh led the backup receivers with three receptions that covered 53 yards and two touchdowns while Batiste was the most productive with 83 yards and one touchdown on two catches. Seven different backup receivers were targeted.

• Brandius Batiste: two catches, 83 yards and one touchdown on four targets.
• Jahquan Bloomfield: one catch for no gain on one target.
• Perry Carter Jr.: no catches on one target.
• Jonathan Hodoh: three catches, 53 yards and two touchdowns on five targets.
• Zachari Jackson: no catches on two targets.
• Josh Newton: two catches, 17 yards on four targets.
• Darius Rodrigue: one catch, nine yards and one touchdown on two targets.

JUCO transfer Josh Johnson once again led the running backs with 10 carries for 63 yards. Derrick Gore received his most extensive work and finished with nine carries for 31 yards. Javin Myers was also productive and ran for 34 yards on nine carries.

Notes

Tyler Lamm showed the potential to fill the Josh Pederson void at tight end by snagging three passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries sidelined Lamm over the past two seasons…Ty Shelby led ULM with two sacks at defensive end…Corey Straughter did not allow a completion and broke up one pass at cornerback…Mark Deaves scrimmaged for the first time and averaged 47.5 yards on two punts with a long of 50…Craig Ford kicked a 31-yard field goal and missed another from 28 yards.

Quotes of the Day

ULM coach Matt Viator on the backup quarterbacks and receivers: "We had a few really good throws today. I thought we were a lot more productive and it was good to see a guy like Tyler Lamm come out here and have a couple touchdowns. He hasn’t been healthy since he’s been here. It was great to see what Brandius Batiste and Jonathan Hodoh did today. We need some guys that can come in here and help us.''

QB Caleb Evans likes ULM’s receiving corps: "It was good to see all those guys make plays. We have some good depth at that position and I’m looking forward to getting them involved.''

WR Jonathan Hodoh on his performance: "It really felt good to make some plays after hurting myself last season. It was a humbling experience but I put in the work to get it back together.''

TE Tyler Lamm happy to be healthy: "I finally finished fall camp for the first time in two years and I think I’ve got my rhythm back. It sucks not having Josh (Pederson) on the field but we have to step up.''

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