Ole Miss Rebels Week 12 Opponent Preview: ULM Warhawks Defensive Players to Watch

Our 2023 college football preview continues with the Ole Miss Rebels' Week 12 opponent.

OXFORD, Miss. -- After getting dismantled by the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs 52-17 on the road, the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels have a much easier non-conference opponent slated for Week 12 in the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.

Ole Miss is set to host the Warhawks in the Rebels' final home game of the 2023 season before the team travels to Starkville to end the regular season with the Egg Bowl. ULM has had a rough 2023 regular season, as the Warhawks have an overall record of 2-8 and are winless in the Sun Belt Conference.

The last time Ole Miss and ULM met was in 2018 and the Rebels crushed the Warhawks 70-21 in Oxford. Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu led the Rebels in passing and freshman Matt Corral led Ole Miss on the ground with 78 rushing yards and one touchdown on just six carries.

ULM travels to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Nov. 18, and the kickoff time has yet to be announced. Here is an overview of what the Rebels will face when they take on the Warhawks.

Oct 6, 2018; Oxford, MS, USA; Ole Miss Rebels receiver DK Metcalf makes a contested catch against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. 

Defensive Leaders

Tackles: LB Michael Batton (Junior)

2023 stats: 71 total tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 0.5 sack

Michael Batton started his ULM career as a walk-on entering the 2022 season and he leads the Warhawks in tackles just a year later. The Houston, Tex., native will be charged with stopping Ole Miss' rushing attack on Saturday, which is currently averaging 181 yards per game on the ground.

Interceptions: LB Ja'Terious Evans (Graduate Senior) and CB David Godsey Jr. (Sophomore)

2023 stats: Both players lead the Warhawks with three interceptions

Former transfer Ja'Terious Evans began his collegiate career as a cornerback before switching to outside linebacker with the Warhawks. His skills as a defensive back still come in handy, however, as he is tied for No. 1 on the team in interceptions with cornerback David Godsey Jr. 

Ole Miss Week 12 Opponent Preview: Louisiana-Monroe Offensive Players to Watch

Sacks: DL Adin Huntington (Junior)

2023 stats: 5.5 sacks, 53 tackles, 10.0 TFLs

ULM has recorded only 19 sacks in 10 games this season, and junior Adin Huntington is leading the charge with 5.5. The 6-foot-1, 281-pound defensive lineman is undersized, but he still has the athleticism to get to the quarterback.