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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