JONESBORO, Ark. – The ULM football team (1-7, 1-3 Sun Belt) hits the road, facing the Arkansas State Red Wolves (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) in Jonesboro. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+, as well as on the radio with the Voice of the Warhawks, Mike Hammett and Mike McGee on the call on LA105.

OPENING DRIVE –
• The Red Wolves hold the 33-15 edge ahead of the 49th meeting in the series. Most recently, the Warhawks took the 28-16 victory in 2025, the first win over Arkansas State since 2009. When playing in Jonesboro, ULM is 5-19, not having won on the road since 2001. 
• In 2025, ULM captured its first win over the Red Wolves since 2009, breaking a 16-game skid. In the 28-16 victory, Noah Flemmings returned a fumble to the end zone to come back after getting down 10-0 early. Zach Palmer-Smith also scored the winning touchdown, making it a 12-point score in the fourth quarter. Aidan Armenta completed 17 of 26 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
• In the last meeting between the teams, ULM and Arkansas State introduced the Rice Bowl, naming the series between the schools. Last season, the partnership between the schools and USA Rice allowed for donations to be made to the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. The Warhawks claimed the trophy, now undefeated when playing for the Rice Bowl.
• Earlier this season, Warhawks claimed a 21-14 victory at Troy, as the team earned its first win of the season and of conference play. In the Bryant Vincent era, ULM is 2-0 when playing at Troy. The win was capped off with three touchdowns scored in the final two-and-a-half minutes, including a fumble recovered in the end zone by Billy Pullen to seal the deal.
• On the 2026 roster, ULM welcomes back 49 returners and brings in 56 newcomers, providing an 48% retention rate from 2025. Out of the newcomers, the Warhawks welcome 10 first-years, 23 NCAA transfers and 23 JUCO transfers to the bayou. Out of those returning to Monroe, 20 have played with ULM for one year, 21 for two years, three for three years and four for four years.
• 17 Warhawks on the roster are competing in the 2026 season having already completed a degree. On the defense, Billy Pullen, Kevontay Wells, Navarion Benson, Cooper Eldridge, Kelbee Holmes, Levontae Jacobs, Marcus Ross and CJ Wilson have already graduated. For the offense, Brandon Buckhaulter, Javon Campbell, Don Chaney, John Curtis Goodman Jr., Quentis Griffin Jr., Drew Hutchinson, Reese Steele and Korian Wilson have collected degrees. Max Larson is the lone member of the special teams room to have received a degree prior to the 2026 season.
• ULM's 12-game football schedule features six home games, four being conference opponents. The last time ULM had six home games was the 2024 season, where the Warhawks went 4-2 at home. Overall, it marks the eighth time that the Warhawks have played a six-game home schedule since joining the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). 
• ULM's 2026 opponents went a combined 72-81 (.471) in 2025, with five opponents going over .500. In addition, seven foes also participated in postseason bowl games a year ago: Mississippi State (Duke's Mayo Bowl), Louisiana Tech (Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl), Troy (IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl), Southern Miss (New Orleans Bowl), Arkansas State (XBox Bowl), the Ragin' Cajuns (68 Ventures Bowl) and App State (JLab Birmingham Bowl).
• Four ULM football players have been recognized on the Preseason All-Sun Belt teams, the most in the Bryant Vincent era and the most since 2020. Two offensive and two defense players were featured on the teams for the Warhawks. AJ Vinson and Noah Flemmings were recognized on the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team and Nic Trujillo and Jabari Tiller were named to the second team.
• ULM has 26 states featured on its roster in 2026. In announcing its roster, ULM Football posts 19 Louisiana players, 11 coming from Monroe's own Ouachita Parish. Louisiana is the state with the most representatives on the team, with Mississippi following close behind with 18. Texas records the third-most with 15 and Alabama records 10. Iowa, Florida, Pennsylvania and Georgia all record a few, while 19 other states are represented with one or two. 
• ULM's coaching staff features six new faces in 2026, including offensive coordinator and receivers coach Jesse Montalto, special teams coordinator and defensive line coach Tony McClain, pass game coordinator Chris Jones, running backs coach Shawn Simmons and tight ends coach Gavin Blomberg. Montalto arrives after eight seasons at the helm of Iowa Central CC, where he claimed the Region XI title and ICCAC Coach of the Year in 2019. McClain makes his ULM appearance after time at East Texas A&M, where he spent two seasons. Jones arrives from a season in the Belichick era at North Carolina as the senior associate director of player personnel. Simmons also arrives from Iowa Central CC, previously playing at Central Methodist. Blomberg rounds out the new staff from Iowa Central.
• Staff updates came in the offseason as well, with Troy Reffett taking over duties at defensive coordinator. Derek Cronenwett was named the team's general manager as Micheal Atiyeh became the director of football operations. Isaac Lopez is responsible for strength & conditioning efforts for the team.
• Family connections on the ULM football coaching staff include Bryant Vincent's son, Brady Vincent, as the team's Tight Ends Coach. Bret Vincent makes it three Vincents featured in the ULM football program, with Bret playing wide receiver for the Warhawks.