Tag: UL Monroe Warhawks Football

Texas A&M football Week 3 Opponent Preview: UL Monroe Warhawks

The Warhawks have no shortage of upsetting Power Five opponents as they they’ll leverage their No. 8 ranked run game against Texas A&M in Week 3.

Texas A&M (1-1) will face the UL Monroe Warhawks (2-0) as the 2023 college football season flips the page toward Week 3. While the Warhawks aim to remain perfect through three weeks, the Aggies will be motivated to rebound from their double-digit loss last weekend.

Many had pegged this Week 3 matchup as a surefire win for the Aggies, given the talent disparity between the rosters. But now that Texas A&M is coming off a humbling loss to Miami, it’s safe to say this week’s game is a must-win.

Conversely, UL Monroe enters this matchup with a spotless 2-0 record after notching wins over Army and Lamar. The Warhawks have limited their opponents to 13.5 PPG to start the season, while their backfield has averaged over 200 rushing YPG within the same time span.

Here’s a preview of Texas A&M’s Week 3 opponent, the UL Monroe Warhawks.

UL Monroe Warhawks

2023 Record: 2-0

Head coach: Terry Bowden

Bowden is entering his third season with the Warhawks, having compiled a 10-16 win-loss record to date. He’ll be tasked with leading UL Monroe to its first winning season since 2012, when the Warhawks went 8-5 and clinched an appearance in the Independence Bowl.

Offensive leaders

RB Hunter Smith

2023 stats: 20 carries, 204 rushing yards, two touchdowns

RB Isaiah Woullard

2023 stats: 24 carries, 169 rushing yards, 7.0 yards per carry

Monroe is ranked No. 8 nationally in team rushing, averaging roughly 246.0 yards per game. That contrasts with their 132nd ranking in team passing, averaging just 95.0 yards per game through the air. The Aggies are allowing just 84.0 rushing yards per game to their opponents, which is 29th in the country, but their Week 3 matchup with the Warhawks should serve as a litmus test for how well they have truly improved on that front.

Defensive leaders

DL Adin Huddington

2023 stats: 19 total tackles, 4.0 solo tackles, 1.0 TFL, 0.5 sacks

LB Tristan Driggers

2023 stats: 2.0 total tackles, 2.0 assisted tackles

DE Kenard Snyder

2023 stats: 9.0 total tackles, 1.0 solo tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss

Driggers’ 63 tackles were the most of any returning Louisiana-Monroe defender from last season, and his ability to tackle at all phases will make him a formidable matchup for the Aggies offense. Snyder, the No. 5 UL Monroe all-time recruit in program history, racked up 61 tackles in 2022, with 10.5 finishing for a loss.

He’ll be an ample test for the Maroon Goons after they allowed 14 pressures on Conner Weigman last week, with one resulting in a hit.

Week 3 Outlook

The Aggies are early heavy favorites per the latest betting odds, and that should come as no surprise, given the talent disparity of both rosters. However, Texas A&M showed they have flaws that can be exploited, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

The Warhawks also have no shortage of experience toppling Power Five opponents either, having beaten Wake Forest in 2013 and 2014, Arkansas in 2012, and notoriously beating Alabama in Nick Saban’s first season in 2007.

Still, Texas A&M is 4-0 all-time against UL Monroe, with an average scoring margin of 39-14. The Aggies should be equipped to make it 5-0 following Week 3 with a more efficient offense and a more disciplined defense, leading them to victory.

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‘We have to move past this and move forward,’ Ainias Smith and McKinnley Jackson preview Texas A&M’s mindset heading into Week 3

During Texas A&M’s weekly presser, Ainias Smith and McKinnley Jackson took to the podium to share how the team is preparing to bounce back against UL Monroe this weekend.

As Texas A&M flips the page toward Week 3, their veteran leaders continue to echo the right mindset ahead of a bounce-back performance. Both Ainias Smith and McKinnley Jackson took to the podium on Monday to share how the team is preparing for UL Monroe.

It’s evident that everyone, from the coaching staff to the players, feels like they let one slip away in their 48-33 loss to Miami in Week 2. However, the season is not lost, and the Aggies enter a critical week in which they can steer the momentum back on track.

In his short time at the podium, Jackson echoed his confidence in the defense coming together to bounce back against the Warhawks on Saturday. Aside from having a chip on their shoulder, the group has more than a few veteran leaders who can help the unit get back to the caliber of play they are capable of.

Smith, who has no shortage of experience fighting through adversity, iterated the same message during his time in front of the media. The veteran wideout went a step further to proclaim that he will personally make sure this team won’t let the type of loss they suffered last week, rear its ugly head once more in the future.

Below are Ainias Smith and McKinnley Jackson’s full press conference videos, as well as highlights from their time speaking with the media.

‘We have to get better in all three phases,’ Jimbo Fisher speaks on Texas A&M’s preparation ahead of matchup with UL Monroe

During his weekly presser, Jimbo Fisher echoed the need for getting better in all three phases as Texas A&M prepares to face UL Monroe in Week 3.

In his weekly press conference with the media on Monday, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher echoed the need to get better in all three phases ahead of their Week 3 matchup with UL Monroe.

Though it’s been nearly 48 hours since the Aggies’ humbling 48-33 loss to Miami, the lessons learned from the defeat carry extra weight in what will be a pivotal week of preparation. From a lack of discipline when tackling in the open field, to the need for better efficiency on offense, there remain areas to address on both sides of the ball.

Much like the veteran leaders in Demani Richardson and Layden Robinson, Fisher echoed the same tune of confidence when speaking about the Aggies’ ability to bounce back. He highlighted the need for getting Ainias Smith more opportunities while being sharper in all facets of the game.

While taking the loss was tough, Fisher highlighted the maturity of the team as they look to learn from it moving forward.

Interestingly enough, he also gave a seal of approval, more or less, when speaking about defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Durkin’s playcalling and adjustments in Week 3 will surely be under a microscope following a porous display against Miami.

Below is Jimbo Fisher’s full weekly press conference from Monday, as well as notable highlights from his time speaking to the media.