PurpleMenace.com - Warhawk Overhaul

November 15, 2010

The loss to #5 LSU was a possible mental set back for the Warhawks as they enter the home stretch of the 2010 season. One area that received a boost was the Warhawk Formation that was missing from the offensive arsenal in last week's loss against FIU.

Against the Tigers of LSU on Saturday, true freshman Luke Russell picked up his first career start for ULM, as he looks to have stepped into the role of Warhawk Formation quarterback when it was vacated two weeks ago due to the season ending injury of Zach Rhodes.

"We are a very banged up football team right now, that led to some our personal things that we did today," Head Coach Todd Berry said. "We were trying to limit the number of snaps that some guys were getting, and needed to maximize some of the snaps that they were getting while in the ball game."

Russell had a good performance in his first game, ending the night second in rushing for ULM with 20 yards in his 10 snaps from the quarterback position. Perhaps more importantly, his composure on the field allowed for the team to rally around their new leader and allowed for him to give the offense a quick boost, as he was first on the field in the shot gun formation in each of the Warhawk's first four possessions.

"I played QB, RB, WR, wherever, safety in high school, so this was really nothing too now to me," Russell said following the game. "Hopefully I will get another opportunity to do it again this week."

Equally impressive was running back Centarius Donald. Donald was just behind Russell in the final rushing stats, running for 15 yards including seven yards in his first snap at quarterback.

ULM will have to bounce back this week against a feisty North Texas team that won on the road at preseason champion favorite Middle Tennessee. Kickoff from Malone Stadium is scheduled for 2:30pm.

FEATURED PRODUCT