# 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.

## Preseason
### Recruiting class

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: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/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: ESPN: N/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: ESPN: N/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: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/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: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/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: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: |||||||

### Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
| Award | Player | Position | Year |

### Sun Belt coaches' poll

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.
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

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

## Schedule

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.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 12 | 12:30 p.m. | at Army* | Michie StadiumWest Point, NY | CBSSN | L 7–37 | 5,362 |
| September 19 | 6:30 p.m. | Texas State | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPNU | L 17–38 | 5,816 |
| September 26 | 2:30 p.m. | UTEP* | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPN2 | L 6–31 | 5,491 |
| October 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPN+ | L 30–35 | 6,338 |
| October 10 | 11:00 a.m. | at Liberty* | Williams StadiumLynchburg, VA | ESPN2 | L 7–40 | 1,000 |
| October 24 | 6:00 p.m. | at South Alabama | Hancock Whitney StadiumMobile, AL | ESPN+ | L 14–38 | 5,186 |
| October 31 | 3:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPNU | L 13–31 | 5,493 |
| November 7 | 11:00 a.m. | at Georgia State | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN3 | L 34–52 | 2,921 |
| November 28 | 2:00 p.m. | Louisiana | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA (Battle on the Bayou) | ESPN3 | L 20–70 | 3,132 |
| December 5 | 2:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank StadiumJonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | L 15–48 | 3,268 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to gameAll times are in Central time |||||||
    Schedule Source:

## Game summaries
### At Army

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Warhawks | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Black Knights | 14 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 37 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ARMY –22 | 53.5 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Josh Johnson | 12 carries, 38 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Josh Pederson | 5 receptions, 56 yards |
| Army | Passing | Jemel Jones | 1/2, 29 yards |
| Army | Rushing | Jakobi Buchanan | 11 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs |
| Army | Receiving | Isaiah Alston | 1 reception, 29 yards |

### Texas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bobcats | 14 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 38 |
| Warhawks | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| TXST –5.5 | 62 |
| 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 |
| Texas State | Rushing | Tyler Vitt | 11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas State | Receiving | Jeremiah Haydel | 6 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 35/53, 377 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Josh Johnson | 17 carries, 51 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Perry Carter Jr. | 8 receptions, 98 yards |

### UTEP

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Miners | 7 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
| Warhawks | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ULM –9.5 | 48.5 |
| 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 |
| UTEP | Rushing | Deion Hankins | 22 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs |
| UTEP | Receiving | Justin Garrett | 7 receptions, 120 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 17/27, 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Josh Johnson | 9 carries, 19 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Jevin Frett | 2 receptions, 63 yards |

### Georgia Southern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Eagles | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 35 |
| Warhawks | 3 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 30 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −19.5 | 49.5 |
| 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 |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | J. D. King | 21 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Beau Johnson | 1 reception, 17 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 31/54, 334 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Colby Suits | 7 carries, 51 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Tyler Lamm | 5 receptions, 66 yards |

### At Liberty

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Warhawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| • Flames | 14 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 40 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| LIB –17 | 63.5 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Josh Johnson | 13 carries, 51 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Josh Pederson | 2 receptions, 21 yards |
| Liberty | Passing | Malik Willis | 11/29, 177 yards, 1 INT |
| Liberty | Rushing | Malik Willis | 13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD |
| Liberty | Receiving | DJ Stubbs | 2 receptions, 69 yards |

### At South Alabama

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Warhawks | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| • Jaguars | 17 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| USA –14.5 | 57 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Josh Johnson | 15 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Jahquan Bloomfield | 3 receptions, 69 yards |
| South Alabama | Passing | Desmond Trotter | 8/12, 184 yards, 3 TDs |
| South Alabama | Rushing | Carlos Davis | 17 carries, 58 yards |
| South Alabama | Receiving | Kawaan Baker | 6 receptions, 154 yards, 3 TDs |

### Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Mountaineers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Warhawks | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| APP –28.5 | 57.5 |
| 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 |
| Appalachian State | Rushing | Zac Thomas | 11 carries, 109 yards |
| Appalachian State | Receiving | Malik Williams | 6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 19/30, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Isaiah Phillips | 11 carries, 41 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Josh Pederson | 2 receptions, 32 yards |

### At Georgia State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Warhawks | 7 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 34 |
| • Panthers | 21 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 52 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –18.5 | 59 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Kadyn Roach | 8 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Perry Carter Jr. | 4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 20/32, 241 yards, 3 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Destin Coates | 20 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Cornelious McCoy | 7 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TDs |

### Louisiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 21 | 28 | 7 | 14 | 70 |
| Warhawks | 14 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| LA –29.5 | 58 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Trey Ragas | 11 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Kyren Lacy | 5 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Jeremy Hunt | 14/32, 121 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Kadyn Roach | 7 carries, 65 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Jonathan Hodoh | 1 reception, 43 yards |