ULM opens 2020 football season with conference game at Troy

MONROE, La. – ULM will kick off its 20th football season in the Sun Belt Conference with a league game at Troy on Saturday, Sept. 5. The game time will be announced in the near future.

The Warhawks originally were scheduled to play Cal Poly in the season and home opener in Malone Stadium on Sept. 5, but it was canceled after the Big Sky Conference announced on Aug. 13 that its members weren’t permitted to participate in non-conference games due to on-going concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial Sun Belt schedule had ULM playing Troy on Oct. 17 in Veterans Memorial Stadium, but it now becomes a bye week for the Warhawks.

ULM enters its 20th season of Sun Belt competition with a 6-13 record (.316) in league openers; however, the Warhawks are 4-4 in their last eight conference openers.

The Sept. 5 season opener marks the 19th meeting between ULM and Troy. The Trojans lead the all-time series 10-7-1. It also marks the third time ULM has opened Sun Belt play against Troy (2007: lost at Troy, 24-7; 2018: lost to Troy in Malone Stadium, 35-27).

“I’m so proud of how our players have conducted themselves during these difficult times,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “They have followed very strict protocols and look forward to the chance to play the game they love. We’re excited about the opportunity to open the 2020 season with a conference game at Troy, and our players are focused on the challenge ahead.”

It marks the first time ULM has started a season with a league game since 1992 when the Warhawks posted a 38-10 victory at Nicholls State in the Southland Conference opener. ULM finished 10-3 in 1992, including a perfect 7-0 record in league play en route to the Southland Conference Championship.