[su_spacer size=”20″] Nick White of the ULM Radio team gives us his insight on Saturday’s game. Nick is the team’s sideline reporter and does play-by-play for Warhawk Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Baseball games. He also co-hosts a local morning talk show.
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What would it mean to pull off a win in Athens?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Obviously it would be huge for the program. For starters, it would mark the fourth straight year that the Warhawks have knocked off an opponent from a power 5 conference (Arkansas in 2012, Wake Forest in 2013 and 2014). That is quite a feat for a program that has the lowest budget in the FBS. It would also provide some validation for a coach in Todd Berry who sometimes does not get the credit he deserves in building this program.
[su_spacer size=”40″] What does Louisiana Monroe need to do to win?
[su_spacer size=”20″] They will have to play a perfect game for starters. The strength of this team is their defense, but they will be put to the test trying to stop the best back in the nation in Nick Chubb. They have to come of age on the offensive line. That has been the weakest unit on this football team so far in camp but they have been coming together over the last week or so. Finally, they will have to take chances. Don’t be surprised to see the Warhawks go for it a lot on 4th down and throw out a lot of things in the playbook to try and have a chance to beat Georgia.
[su_spacer size=”40″] What is your take on Georgia?
[su_spacer size=”20″] I have unbelievable respect for this program. I have always thought that Mark Richt does not get the credit he deserves for the job he has done with the program. They have an amazing running game first and foremost. How do you contain Nick Chubb? That will be a daunting task for every team on Georgia’s schedule. I think Georgia will thrive offensively under Brian Schottenheimer. I was impressed with Georgia’s 17th ranked defense last year and as we saw in the NFL last year, if you can run the football and control the clock, it keeps the defense off the field and allows them to be fresh for the duration of the game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] What are the team’s goals this season?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Competing for a Sun Belt championship and Bowl eligibility will be the major goals for this team. With a 13 games schedule, they will have to win 7 games to gain eligibility, but realistically, to go to a bowl, they will need to win 8 games.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Who are your picks to make the playoff this year?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Ohio State, TCU, USC and Georgia
[su_spacer size=”40″] Talk about the recent wins over Alabama and Arkansas and the impact on the program.
[su_spacer size=”20″] The Arkansas win is still talked about on a weekly basis. The impact of that win and what it propelled the Warhawks to (their first bowl berth and winning season in the schools FBS history as well as the unprecedented exposure for the program and university) is immeasurable. I believe when people hear or see the ULM logo regionally or across the country, that win and how it played out is the first thing that comes to mind. I know when we travel for basketball and baseball and they see the logo, that win is brought up the majority of the time.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Alabama win gets brought up a lot as well and has been talked about a lot this offseason since ULM will square off against the Crimson Tide on September 26th. I still get a chuckle when I see people around the area (my wife included) proudly wear the t-shirt that simply reads ULM 21 Bama 14. Eight years later and that win still resonate in this area.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Talk about the program’s excellent history, in particular the 1-AA days and the great quarterback play.
[su_spacer size=”20″] The 1987 1-AA national championship continues to be a source of pride for the program and university. This program has had some great QBs come through the program during those times and have successful NFL careers (Bubby Brister, Stan Humphries, Doug Pederson).
[su_spacer size=”40″] What are some changes you would like to see for college football?
[su_spacer size=”20″] I would like to see a playoff similar to the college football playoff established for the “Group of 5”. I would like to see some sort of a preseason scrimmage/practice session/ game established so that teams can get some sort of measuring stick of their squads before being thrown out into the fire week one. I think the pressure and financial ramifications are so high now in college football with the playoff that this would be beneficial for everyone in the FBS to get a better gauge of their football teams before they line up and play a game that could potentially keep them out of the playoff
[su_spacer size=”80″] For more articles like this, including player and fan photos as well as videos, check out Bulldawg Illustrated’s 2015 Season Opener digital issue:
[su_spacer size=”40″] Bulldawg Illustrated
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