2020 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team

The 2020 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team represented the University of Louisiana at Monroe in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Warhawks played their home games at Malone Stadium in Monroe, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by fifth-year head coach Matt Viator. After the team played to an 0–10 record (0–7 in conference play), Viator was fired on December 7 in what was the worst season in the history of the program. Not only did the team finish winless for only the third time in its history, but that was combined with 10 losses for the most losses in a winless season. Also, the 50 point loss to Louisiana, their main rival, was the largest margin of defeat suffered in the history of the rivalry for either squad.

2020 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record0–10 (0–7 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorEman Naghavi (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorScott Stoker (interim; 1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumMalone Stadium
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 14 Coastal Carolina xy+   8 0     11 1  
Appalachian State   6 2     9 3  
Georgia Southern   4 4     8 5  
Georgia State   4 4     6 4  
Troy   3 4     5 6  
West Division
No. 15 Louisiana xy+   7 1     10 1  
South Alabama   3 5     4 7  
Arkansas State   2 6     4 7  
Texas State   2 6     2 10  
Louisiana–Monroe   0 7     0 10  
Championship: Louisiana at Coastal Carolina (Canceled)
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

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Recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Taylor Behl
Linebacker
Georgetown, TX Georgetown HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Dillon Brooks
Offensive Lineman
Huntsville, TX Huntsville HS
Tyler JC
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 295 lb (134 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Keydrain Calligan
Safety
New Iberia, LA Westgate HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Coby Cavil
Wide Receiver
Cedar Hill, TX Red Oak HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Hayes Crockett
Quarterback
Monroe, LA Sterlington HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 206 lb (93 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Peyton Dunn
Offensive Lineman
Brandon, MS Jackson Prep 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 285 lb (129 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Elijah Fisher
Defensive End
Allen, TX Allen HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 255 lb (116 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jevin Frett
Wide Receiver
Manchester, CT Manchester HS
Monroe College
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) - Dec 24, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Zac Gulley
Safety
Newton, TX Newton HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Nate Heidecker
Offensive Lineman
Conroe, TX College Park HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 275 lb (125 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jeremy Hunt
Quarterback
Oak Park, IL River Forest HS
Central Missouri
Trinity Valley CC
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Javarian Jenkins
Linebacker
Hattiesburg, MS Oak Grove HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPNN/A
Garrett Kahmann
Quarterback
West Monroe, LA West Monroe HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Quincy Ledet Jr.
Defensive Tackle
Orange, TX West Orange–Stark HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 285 lb (129 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Marcus Moore
Defensive Tackle
The Colony, TX The Colony HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 275 lb (125 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ja'Korian Newsome
Linebacker
Petal, MS Petal HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPNN/A
Tre Odom
Safety
Lufkin, TX Lufkin HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Noah Patty
Tight End
Aledo, TX Nolan Catholic HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jahmeel Rice
Wide Receiver
Copperas Cove, TX Copperas Cove HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
D. J. Travis
Cornerback
Poplarville, MS Poplarville HS
Jones College
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN: 

Award watch lists

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Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year

Sun Belt coaches' poll

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The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on August 25, 2020. Louisiana–Monroe was picked to finish 5th in the West Division with 20 total votes.[1]

West Division
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Louisiana 47 (7)
2 Arkansas State 40 (2)
3 South Alabama 22 (1)
4 Texas State 21
5 Louisiana–Monroe 20
East Division
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Appalachian State 49 (9)
2 Georgia Southern 36
3 Troy 32 (1)
4 Georgia State 20
5 Coastal Carolina 13

Preseason All-Sun Belt teams

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The Warhawks had four players selected to the preseason All−Sun Belt teams; three from the offense and one from the defense.[1]

Schedule

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Louisiana–Monroe will play host to conference foes Texas State, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, and Louisiana. They will travel to Troy, South Alabama, Georgia State, and Arkansas State

Louisiana-Monroe had games against Arkansas, Cal Poly, and Georgia, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1212:30 p.m.at Army*CBSSNL 7–375,362
September 196:30 p.m.Texas StateESPNUL 17–385,816
September 262:30 p.m.UTEP*
  • Malone Stadium
  • Monroe, LA
ESPN2L 6–315,491
October 36:00 p.m.Georgia Southern
  • Malone Stadium
  • Monroe, LA
ESPN+L 30–356,338
October 1011:00 a.m.at Liberty*ESPN2L 7–401,000
October 246:00 p.m.at South AlabamaESPN+L 14–385,186
October 313:00 p.m.Appalachian State
  • Malone Stadium
  • Monroe, LA
ESPNUL 13–315,493
November 711:00 a.m.at Georgia StateESPN3L 34–522,921
November 282:00 p.m.Louisiana
ESPN3L 20–703,132
December 52:00 p.m.Arkansas StateESPN3L 15–483,268
Schedule Source:[3]

Game summaries

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At Army

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Louisiana–Monroe at Army
1 234Total
Warhawks 0 700 7
Black Knights 14 3137 37
   
Pregame line Over/under
ARMY –22 53.5[4]
Statistics Louisiana–Monroe Army
First downs 9 24
Total yards 200 465
Rushing yards 37 436
Passing yards 163 29
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 23:13 36:47
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 14/19, 148 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Josh Johnson 12 carries, 38 yards
Receiving Josh Pederson 5 receptions, 56 yards
Army Passing Jemel Jones 1/2, 29 yards
Rushing Jakobi Buchanan 11 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Isaiah Alston 1 reception, 29 yards

Texas State

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Texas State at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Bobcats 14 1707 38
Warhawks 7 730 17
  • Date: September 19, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,816
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: 11 NE MPH
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Roy Philpott (play–by–play) and Kelly Stouffer (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
TXST –5.5 62[5]
Statistics Texas State Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 20 25
Total yards 398 444
Rushing yards 142 67
Passing yards 256 377
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 26:47 33:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Texas State Passing Tyler Vitt 14/21, 256 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Tyler Vitt 11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jeremiah Haydel 6 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 35/53, 377 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Josh Johnson 17 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Perry Carter Jr. 8 receptions, 98 yards

UTEP

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Texas–El Paso at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Miners 7 1707 31
Warhawks 0 060 6
  • Date: September 26, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 12 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,491
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: 6 WNWMPH
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Clay Matvick (play–by–play) and Rocky Boiman (analyst)
  
Pregame line Over/under
ULM –9.5 48.5[6]
Statistics UTEP Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 21 6
Total yards 512 193
Rushing yards 210 7
Passing yards 302 186
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 39:36 20:24
Team Category Player Statistics
UTEP Passing Gavin Hardison 13/25, 302 yards
Rushing Deion Hankins 22 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Justin Garrett 7 receptions, 120 yards
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 17/27, 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Josh Johnson 9 carries, 19 yards
Receiving Jevin Frett 2 receptions, 63 yards

Georgia Southern

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Georgia Southern at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Eagles 7 14140 35
Warhawks 3 1467 30
  • Date: October 3, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 hours
  • Game attendance: 6,338
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: 4 ESE MPH
  • Referee: Tre. Livingston
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Chris Harris (play–by–play) and Mike Hammett (analyst)
      
Pregame line Over/under
GASO −19.5 49.5[7]
Statistics Georgia Southern Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 19 24
Total yards 369 426
Rushing yards 340 92
Passing yards 29 334
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 34:53 25:07
Team Category Player Statistics
Georgia Southern Passing Shai Werts 3/7, 29 yards
Rushing J. D. King 21 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Beau Johnson 1 reception, 17 yards
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 31/54, 334 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Colby Suits 7 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Tyler Lamm 5 receptions, 66 yards

At Liberty

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Louisiana–Monroe at Liberty
1 234Total
Warhawks 0 007 7
Flames 14 1079 40
  • Date: October 10, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Rainy • Wind: SW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Couzens (play–by–play), Jay Walker (analyst), and Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
    
Pregame line Over/under
LIB –17 63.5[8]
Statistics Louisiana–Monroe Liberty
First downs 10 20
Total yards 198 400
Rushing yards 78 180
Passing yards 120 220
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 27:49 32:11
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 13/29, 78 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Josh Johnson 13 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Josh Pederson 2 receptions, 21 yards
Liberty Passing Malik Willis 11/29, 177 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Malik Willis 13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD
Receiving DJ Stubbs 2 receptions, 69 yards

At South Alabama

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Louisiana–Monroe at South Alabama
1 234Total
Warhawks 0 608 14
Jaguars 17 0147 38
  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium
    Mobile, AL
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 58 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,186
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy• Wind: None
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): JD Byars (play–by–play) and Pat Greenwood (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/under
USA –14.5 57[9]
Statistics Louisiana–Monroe South Alabama
First downs 20 20
Total yards 380 415
Rushing yards 98 169
Passing yards 286 246
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 28:29 31:31
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 23/34, 286 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Josh Johnson 15 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahquan Bloomfield 3 receptions, 69 yards
South Alabama Passing Desmond Trotter 8/12, 184 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Carlos Davis 17 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Kawaan Baker 6 receptions, 154 yards, 3 TDs

Appalachian State

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Appalachian State at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Mountaineers 14 773 31
Warhawks 0 706 13
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 3:03 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 3 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,493
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Clear/Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Bill Roth (play–by–play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
   
Pregame line Over/under
APP –28.5 57.5[10]
Statistics Appalachian State Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 26 16
Total yards 480 222
Rushing yards 328 68
Passing yards 152 154
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 34:47 25:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Appalachian State Passing Zac Thomas 13/18, 152 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Zac Thomas 11 carries, 109 yards
Receiving Malik Williams 6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Colby Suits 19/30, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Isaiah Phillips 11 carries, 41 yards
Receiving Josh Pederson 2 receptions, 32 yards

At Georgia State

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Louisiana–Monroe at Georgia State
1 234Total
Warhawks 7 7614 34
Panthers 21 2137 52
  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Location: Center Parc Stadium
    Atlanta, GA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
  • Game attendance: 2,921
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: E 12 MPH
  • Referee: T. Livingston
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Chris Sylvester (play–by–play) and Sam Crenshaw (analyst)
         
Pregame line Over/under
GSU –18.5 59[11]
Statistics Louisiana–Monroe Georgia State
First downs 23 23
Total yards 424 504
Rushing yards 85 263
Passing yards 339 241
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 28:16 31:44
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Jeremy Hunt 26/39, 339 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Kadyn Roach 8 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Perry Carter Jr. 4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDs
Georgia State Passing Cornelious Brown IV 20/32, 241 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Destin Coates 20 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Cornelious McCoy 7 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TDs

Louisiana

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Louisiana at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 21 28714 70
Warhawks 14 006 20
  • Date: November 28, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 2:05 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 13 minutes
  • Game attendance: 3,132
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: NE 11 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Chris Harris (play–by–play) and Mike Hammett (analyst)
         
Pregame line Over/under
LA –29.5 58[12]
Statistics Louisiana Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 26 14
Total yards 511 247
Rushing yards 344 125
Passing yards 167 122
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 31:54 28:06
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 18/25, 147 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Trey Ragas 11 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kyren Lacy 5 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Jeremy Hunt 14/32, 121 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kadyn Roach 7 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Jonathan Hodoh 1 reception, 43 yards

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sun Belt Announces Preseason Poll, Players of the Year and All-Conference Teams". SunBeltSports.org. Sun Belt Conference. August 25, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  2. ^ Talty, John. "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season". AL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 Football Schedule". University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  4. ^ "Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Army Black Knights". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  5. ^ "Texas State Bobcats vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "UTEP Miners vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  7. ^ "Georgia Southern Eagles vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  9. ^ "Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs South Alabama Jaguars". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  11. ^ "Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Georgia State Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 29, 2020.