Louisiana Tech and ULM are located about 30 miles down I-20 from each other. For the first time in 26 years, the Bulldogs and the Warhawks will face off Saturday night in Monroe.
Kickoff is 7 o’clock at FMOL/St. Francis Stadium (ESPN+)
Louisiana Tech (3-2) is coming off a 32-31 home victory over UL-Lafayette in its Sun Belt Conference opener. ULM (0-5) had a bye last week. The Warhawks fell to South Alabama 52-35 in their Sun Belt opener on the road Oct. 3.
The teams first played in 1953. Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series 30-13.
They have only met four times as members of the FBS with the Bulldogs winning all four including a 42-19 victory in 2000.
Louisiana and ULM stopped playing after that when Tech moved into the WAC and ULM joined the Sun Belt. According to media reports, ULM wanted to continue the rivalry but the Louisiana Tech administration preferred scheduling teams with more national recognition.
In 2012, the Independence Bowl attempted to match the teams but Tech refused to play ULM.
After that, ULM’s athletic director banned the Warhawks from scheduling Tech in non-conference play in any scholarship sport.
That changed when Louisiana Tech joined the Sun Belt officially this year. The schools embraced the rivalry, creating the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series, a competition tracking head-to-head results across 12 varsity sports based on a points system. The school with the most points receives a trophy.
At his point in the season, the Bulldogs and Warhawks look like two teams going in opposite directions.
Louisiana Tech has won two straight including a 31-29 victory over Army on Oct. 3. The Bulldogs rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final eight minutes against UL-Lafayette.
“I told our coaches we’ll find out the type of team that we have,” Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said during his weekly press conference. “Found out that our guys will fight and continue to play.”
Quarterback Blake Baker made his first start since suffering a hand injury against LSU in Week 2. He completed 32-of-42 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
“Really proud of how Blake played,” Cumbie said. “Incredibly accurate over the middle of the field, decisive throwing the football. Hadn’t played a game in over a month. Playing a game with a plate in his throwing hand. That’s pretty amazing. That’s a testament to his recovery and his toughness.”
Tight end Eli Finley and wide receivers Taylyn Shettron and Jalen Mickens had big nights. Andrew Burnette rushed for 85 yards on 14 carries.
But Cumbie said the previous games have nothing to do with Saturday’s.
“The thing our guys know is none of those plays carry over this week,” he said. “This week we’re zero to zero. We’re playing an opponent that’s had two weeks to prepare for us. We’re playing a team that’s going to play extremely physical on offense and defense and special teams.
“They’re very-well coached. (Head) Coach (Bryant) Vincent has done a phenomenal job. He’s one of the best football coaches that I’ve had the opportunity to communicate with and talk football with. His kids will be extremely ready to play. There’s no room in football for forecasting or predictions especially in rivalry games.”
Vincent is in his third year. The Warhawks went 5-7 after a 5-1 start in his first season and 3-9 last season.
They have struggled this season. The Warhawks’ closest game was a 38-35 loss to FCS Southeastern in Week 3.
They rank 12th in the Sun Belt in scoring at 24.0 points per game and 13th in total offense at 364.0 yards per game.
ULM ranks last in scoring defense at 44.9 points and total offense at 511.8.
Quarterback Aidan Armenta has completed 68-of-107 passes for 848 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 26-of-41 for 362 and three TDs against South Alabama. The Warhawks had 447 yards and allowed 570.
Armenta has split time with Austin Carlisle who played in the first three games but missed the Week 4 game against Florida Atlantic with an injury.
Carlisle still leads the team in rushing with 219 yards on 39 carries.