A game 26 years in the making finally kicks off Saturday night inside FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium, where the ULM Warhawks (0–5, 0–1) host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3–2, 1–0) in their inaugural Sun Belt Conference matchup.

For more than two decades, opportunities to renew the rivalry have come and gone. In 2012, a potential Liberty Bowl appearance evaporated for Louisiana Tech, leaving a 9–3, third‑place Bulldogs team at home after declining an Independence Bowl bid that would have paired them against ULM. Ironically, Tech has accepted that same bowl invitation three times since.

In 2020, both programs briefly appeared set to meet after SEC opponents backed out of scheduled games. The matchup never materialized, becoming yet another casualty of the COVID‑19 season as illness swept through both teams.

A long‑awaited home‑and‑home series announced in 2023 seemed to finally lock in the rivalry’s return, with games scheduled for 2030 in Ruston and 2031 in Monroe. But thanks to Louisiana Tech’s move to the Sun Belt Conference beginning in 2026, the wait has been cut dramatically Northeast Louisiana now gets the matchup this weekend.

ULM enters the game struggling on both sides of the ball. Through five contests, the Warhawks are allowing 44.6 points and more than 510 yards per game. Offensively, they rank 13th in the Sun Belt at 364 yards per game and 12th in scoring at 24 points per contest.

Third‑year quarterback Aidan Armenta has been a bright spot, averaging 212 passing yards per game and posting a career‑high 362 yards last week at South Alabama. His top targets include Marcellus Jackson (26 receptions, 234 yards), Parker Fulghum (13 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TDs), and Nic Trujillo (10 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs).

Defensively, ULM has generated just three takeaways this season and hasn’t forced a turnover since the first quarter of the Week 3 game against Southeastern Louisiana.

Louisiana Tech presents no easy challenge. Earlier this season, the Bulldogs delivered a program‑record 80–6 win over Northwestern State, scoring on their first 11 possessions and attempting 13 kicks—an illustration of their offensive dominance.

Quarterbacks Blake Baker and Trey Kukuk have combined for 1,100 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Receiver Jalen Mickens leads the team with 30 catches, but tight end Eli Finley is the true matchup problem. A preseason second‑team All‑Sun Belt selection, Finley has already surpassed 100 career receptions and 1,000 receiving yards. This season alone, he has 27 catches for 325 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr. is the name to know. Through five games, the third‑year standout ranks seventh nationally with five sacks.

Tech has won the last the past seven match-ups, dating back to 1989. With the Warhawk struggles to date and the Bulldogs entering 1-0 after a come from behind win against Louisiana-Lafayette last week, this game looks to be the extremes - ULM shocks the dogs in a close victory, or Tech once again shows their ability to make big plays similar to the Northwestern State game.