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+ 80  111 
Appalachian State 62  93 
Georgia Southern 44  85 
Georgia State 44  64 
Troy 34  56 
West Division
No. 15 Louisiana xy+ 71  101 
South Alabama 35  47 
Arkansas State 26  47 
Texas State 26  210 
Louisiana–Monroe 07  010 
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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College recruiting information
Name Hometown School 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 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Dillon Brooks
Offensive Lineman
Huntsville, TX Huntsville HS
Tyler JC
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 295 lb (134 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Keydrain Calligan
Safety
New Iberia, LA Westgate HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Coby Cavil
Wide Receiver
Cedar Hill, TX Red Oak HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Hayes Crockett
Quarterback
Monroe, LA Sterlington HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 206 lb (93 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Peyton Dunn
Offensive Lineman
Brandon, MS Jackson Prep 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 285 lb (129 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Elijah Fisher
Defensive End
Allen, TX Allen HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 255 lb (116 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Jevin Frett
Wide Receiver
Manchester, CT Manchester HS
Monroe College
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) - Dec 24, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports:    ESPN:    
Zac Gulley
Safety
Newton, TX Newton HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Nate Heidecker
Offensive Lineman
Conroe, TX College Park HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 275 lb (125 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
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 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Javarian Jenkins
Linebacker
Hattiesburg, MS Oak Grove HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN:    
Garrett Kahmann
Quarterback
West Monroe, LA West Monroe HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
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 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Marcus Moore
Defensive Tackle
The Colony, TX The Colony HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 275 lb (125 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Ja'Korian Newsome
Linebacker
Petal, MS Petal HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN:    
Tre Odom
Safety
Lufkin, TX Lufkin HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Noah Patty
Tight End
Aledo, TX Nolan Catholic HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) - Feb 5, 2020 
Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Jahmeel Rice
Wide Receiver
Copperas Cove, TX Copperas Cove HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
D. J. Travis
Cornerback
Poplarville, MS Poplarville HS
Jones College
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) - Dec 18, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports:    ESPN: 2/5 stars   

Sun Belt coaches poll

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The Sun Belt preseason coaches poll was released on August 25, 2020. Louisiana–Monroe was picked to finish fifth in the West Division.[1]

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.at Arkansas StateESPN3L 15–483,268
Schedule source:[3]

Game summaries

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At Army

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Louisiana–Monroe at Army
Team 1 234Total
Warhawks 0 700 7
Black Knights 14 3137 37
   
StatisticsLouisiana–MonroeArmy
First downs924
Total yards200465
Rushing yards37436
Passing yards16329
Turnovers21
Time of possession23:1336:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits14/19, 148 yards, 1 TD
RushingJosh Johnson12 carries, 38 yards
ReceivingJosh Pederson5 receptions, 56 yards
ArmyPassingJemel Jones1/2, 29 yards
RushingJakobi Buchanan11 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingIsaiah Alston1 reception, 29 yards

Texas State

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Texas State at Louisiana–Monroe
Team 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)
     
StatisticsTexas StateLouisiana–Monroe
First downs2025
Total yards398444
Rushing yards14267
Passing yards256377
Turnovers12
Time of possession26:4733:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Texas StatePassingTyler Vitt14/21, 256 yards, 2 TDs
RushingTyler Vitt11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJeremiah Haydel6 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits35/53, 377 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingJosh Johnson17 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingPerry Carter Jr.8 receptions, 98 yards

UTEP

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Texas–El Paso at Louisiana–Monroe
Team 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)
  
StatisticsUTEPLouisiana–Monroe
First downs216
Total yards512193
Rushing yards2107
Passing yards302186
Turnovers11
Time of possession39:3620:24
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UTEPPassingGavin Hardison13/25, 302 yards
RushingDeion Hankins22 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingJustin Garrett7 receptions, 120 yards
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits17/27, 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJosh Johnson9 carries, 19 yards
ReceivingJevin Frett2 receptions, 63 yards

Georgia Southern

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Georgia Southern at Louisiana–Monroe
Team 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)
      
StatisticsGeorgia SouthernLouisiana–Monroe
First downs1924
Total yards369426
Rushing yards34092
Passing yards29334
Turnovers00
Time of possession34:5325:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassingShai Werts3/7, 29 yards
RushingJ. D. King21 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBeau Johnson1 reception, 17 yards
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits31/54, 334 yards, 2 TDs
RushingColby Suits7 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingTyler Lamm5 receptions, 66 yards

At Liberty

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Louisiana–Monroe at Liberty
Team 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)
    
StatisticsLouisiana–MonroeLiberty
First downs1020
Total yards198400
Rushing yards78180
Passing yards120220
Turnovers32
Time of possession27:4932:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits13/29, 78 yards, 2 INTs
RushingJosh Johnson13 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingJosh Pederson2 receptions, 21 yards
LibertyPassingMalik Willis11/29, 177 yards, 1 INT
RushingMalik Willis13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDJ Stubbs2 receptions, 69 yards

At South Alabama

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Louisiana–Monroe at South Alabama
Team 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)
    
StatisticsLouisiana–MonroeSouth Alabama
First downs2020
Total yards380415
Rushing yards98169
Passing yards286246
Turnovers21
Time of possession28:2931:31
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits23/34, 286 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJosh Johnson15 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJahquan Bloomfield3 receptions, 69 yards
South AlabamaPassingDesmond Trotter8/12, 184 yards, 3 TDs
RushingCarlos Davis17 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingKawaan Baker6 receptions, 154 yards, 3 TDs

Appalachian State

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Appalachian State at Louisiana–Monroe
Team 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)
   
StatisticsAppalachian StateLouisiana–Monroe
First downs2616
Total yards480222
Rushing yards32868
Passing yards152154
Turnovers13
Time of possession34:4725:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Appalachian StatePassingZac Thomas13/18, 152 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingZac Thomas11 carries, 109 yards
ReceivingMalik Williams6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits19/30, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingIsaiah Phillips11 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingJosh Pederson2 receptions, 32 yards

At Georgia State

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Louisiana–Monroe at Georgia State
Team 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)
         
StatisticsLouisiana–MonroeGeorgia State
First downs2323
Total yards424504
Rushing yards85263
Passing yards339241
Turnovers31
Time of possession28:1631:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassingJeremy Hunt26/39, 339 yards, 3 TDs
RushingKadyn Roach8 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingPerry Carter Jr.4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDs
Georgia StatePassingCornelious Brown IV20/32, 241 yards, 3 TDs
RushingDestin Coates20 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingCornelious McCoy7 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TDs

Louisiana

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Louisiana at Louisiana–Monroe
Team 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)
         
StatisticsLouisianaLouisiana–Monroe
First downs2614
Total yards511247
Rushing yards344125
Passing yards167122
Turnovers13
Time of possession31:5428:06
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LouisianaPassingLevi Lewis18/25, 147 yards, 3 TDs
RushingTrey Ragas11 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingKyren Lacy5 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana–MonroePassingJeremy Hunt14/32, 121 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingKadyn Roach7 carries, 65 yards
ReceivingJonathan Hodoh1 reception, 43 yards

References

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  1. 1 2 "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.