In 1995 ULM, then Northeast Louisiana, was in their second season of D1-A Independent football; a season that saw them end the year 2-9 but one of the wins included a 34-32 win over Mississippi State.
Fast forward to 2026 and Warhawks find themselves with their backs against the wall and time running out for the season to still be considered a success.
Literally ULM is, as the 1995 single from 2Pac Shakur - “Me against the World.”
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The third season under Head Coach Bryant Vincent has not gone to plan regardless how it’s looked at.
No rushing attack, quarterback controversies, an FCS loss, and 13 straight losses just to drop the quick highlights. Also slip into the equation that by the time the long-awaited Sun Belt Conference matchup against Louisiana Tech kicks off, 385 days would’ve elapsed since the last time the Malone FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium scoreboard lit up in favor of the home team.
With all this on the Bayou, it’s also looming overhead about a Louisiana Board of Regent offering up humble pies to not only ULM, but Louisiana Tech and Louisiana-Lafayette to take the preverbal plunge into the FCS ranks due to budgetary strains.
Whew! I think we have all of the Doom and Gloom out of the way now.
Offensively, 2026 is not a bad season. Through the first five games, Aidan Armenta passed for a career high 355 yards against South Alabama and shown that he’s taken the next step to be an FBS quarterback, all while throwing just one interception on the season to five touchdowns.
Armenta’s play is key considering the offensive line has been offensive by surrendering 12 sacks.
ULM’s offense is averaging 24 points per game, top 100 of the FBS and ahead of the likes of Marshall (22.2 ppg), Oklahoma (22), Troy (21.2), Clemson (19.4), and Tulane (18.8); while far ahead of #138 Bowling Green’s 11.4.
Defensively, the Warhawks have managed just three turnovers - a Carl Fauntroy interception and a pair of special teams fumble recoveries. This adds to the defense surrendering an average…….44.6 points per contest, rated #138.
Just to pile on the defense a little more, teams are converting 52% of third-down attempts, just ahead of UTEP (52.5%), and Northern Illinois (58.8%).
Regardless of fan sentiment on the 2026 season, there’s still eight games to reach the magical six for bowl eligibility.
And regardless of just how bad the perception of the season is, always remember there’s 1932. In the school’s second year of existence the then Ouachita Parish Junior College kicked off the football season with high hopes, only to end the season 0-9 and scoring just 13 points all year long. Included in the season was a 92-0 loss to Texarkana Junior College.
So while there’s some doom and gloom on the Bayou, there’s still some time to shine and take on the world.