BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The ULM football team is set to remain on the road for the 2026 season, facing the UAB Blazers in Birmingham for the first time since 1999. The Warhawks look to bounce back after a loss to Mississippi State.

• The Warhawks play their second-straight road game to open the season, not competing at home until September 19. The two-game road stretch to open the season is the first occurrence since 2012, when the Warhawks took on Arkansas in Little Rock, then traveled to play at Auburn. 2012 is also the lone season since joining the FBS that ULM has qualified for a bowl game. 

• Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between the Blazers and the Warhawks, having not seen action at UAB since 1999. ULM claimed the last victory over the Blazers, defeating them in Monroe in 2024, 32-6. ULM holds the 2-1 edge in the series.

• In 2024, head coach Bryant Vincent defeated the Blazers in Monroe, with a 32-6 score to claim his first victory over an FBS opponent. The Warhawk defense held UAB without a touchdown, as the team resigned to two field goals as ULM recorded three touchdowns, three field goals and a safety for the victory.

• UAB and ULM have developed multiple ties over the years, most notably Vincent's time at both schools. Prior to his time at ULM, Vincent was the offensive coordinator for six seasons and interim head coach for the Blazers in 2022. Vincent will be the first former UAB head coach to return as head coach of the opposing team.

• Assistant head coach Earnest Hill, offensive line coach Cameron Blankenship, quarterbacks coach Taylor Dupuis, tight ends coach Brady Vincent, assistant running backs coach Jermaine Brown all also report ties to UAB, as all coached in Birmingham prior to their time in Monroe. Blankenship also stood out on the O-Line as a player from 2012 to 2014, as Brown finished his career with the Blazers as the career leader in all-purpose yards with 5,026.  

• 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.

• 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.