ULM opens 2019 football schedule Aug. 31 against Grambling State

MONROE, La. – ULM will kick off the 2019 football season against I-20 rival Grambling State on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. in Malone Stadium.

“After meaningful discussions with the Grambling State administration, it has been determined that the 2019 football season opener will be played as originally scheduled on Saturday, August 31st,” ULM Interim Athletics Director Scott McDonald said. “This event is always exciting for both communities as well as this region.”

ULM’s 2019 12-game football schedule features six home games for the first time since 1998 and just the fourth time since joining the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). The six home games along with non-conference road games at Florida State and Iowa State highlight the upcoming schedule.

Seven of ULM’s 12 opponents posted .500 or better records last season, with six teams participating in postseason bowl games.

The Warhawks kick off the 2019 campaign with a home game against I-20 rival Grambling State on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.

ULM plays back-to-back road games at Florida State (Sept. 7) and Iowa State (Sept. 21).

ULM opens Sun Belt Conference play Sept. 28 at home against West Division rival South Alabama before Memphis makes its first-ever appearance in Malone Stadium on Oct. 5.

The Warhawks resume league play with a pair of road games, including a national television appearance on ESPNU at West Division rival Texas State on Thursday, Oct. 10, followed by a trip to defending Sun Belt and East Division Champion Appalachian State on Oct. 19.

ULM opens a two-game Sun Belt homestand against (West Division opponent) Arkansas State on Nov. 2, followed by (East Division foe) Georgia State on Nov. 9.

The Warhawks play two of their last three league games on the road, with a Nov. 23 home game against (East Division opponent) Coastal Carolina sandwiched between road trips to (East Division foe) Georgia Southern on Nov. 16 and West Division rival Ragin’ Cajuns for the regular-season finale on Nov. 30.

The 2019 Sun Belt Football Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 7 (televised by either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2).

Fourth-year ULM head coach Matt Viator welcomes back 20 starters from last year’s 6-6 team, including eight on offense, eight on defense and four specialists. Last season, the Warhawks became bowl eligible of the first time since 2013.

“Once again, we’ll play one of the Sun Belt’s most challenging schedules, but we’re excited about the opportunities head,” Viator said. “We have some unfinished business to complete from last season.

“We have a nice blend of returning, experienced players combined with some talented newcomers. As always, our goals are to be playing our best football late in the season and to be playing meaningful conference games in November.”

ULM opens spring practice on Tuesday, March 12, with the spring game scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m.

2019 ULM FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 GRAMBLING STATE
Sept. 7 at Florida State
Sept. 21 at Iowa State
Sept. 28 SOUTH ALABAMA
Oct. 5 MEMPHIS
Oct. 10 at Texas State (ESPNU)
Oct. 19 at Appalachian State
Nov. 2 ARKANSAS STATE
Nov. 9 GEORGIA STATE
Nov. 16 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 23 COASTAL CAROLINA
Nov. 30 at Ragin’ Cajuns