For information on all University of Louisiana at Monroe sports, see Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks
The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football (also referred to as the ULM Warhawks, formerly as the Northeast Louisiana Indians) program is a college football team that represents the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). With a history dating back to 1931, ULM currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision[1] as a member of the Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt). The Warhawks currently play their home games at Malone Stadium, located on the campus in Monroe, Louisiana. Since December 2009, Todd Berry has served as the Warhawks' head coach.[2]
Main article: List of Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks head football coaches
What is now Louisiana–Monroe, originally competed as a junior college from 1931 through 1950.[3] In 1951 the Indians completed their first season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as Northeast Louisiana State College.[3] Northeast competed as part of the NAIA through the 1974 season and compiled a record of 87 wins, 138 losses and four ties.[3] From 1974 through 1993, NLU competed at the I-AA division winning four conference championships and the 1987 National Championship before moving up to I-A in 1994.[3]
After competing as an Independent from 1994 though 2000, the Warhawks joined the Sun Belt Conference for the 2001 season.[3] In 2007, the Warhawks upset the Alabama Crimson Tide in Bryant–Denny Stadium 21–14, despite being 25-point underdogs[4] and expected to lose by as much as 38.[5] It has since been called "one of the most important wins in school history".[4]
This table includes all Sun Belt games from 2001, the year ULM joined the Sun Belt Conference. It includes only games that were Sun Belt conference games, and does not include postseason games.
Following the 1995 season, the NCAA changed the rules to allow for overtime on games tied at the end of four quarters. Until that time, ULM had tied 8 times. Since then, ULM has participated in four overtimes game and has won two of those games for a winning percentage of .500.
The Battle on the Bayou is the annual rivalry game between Louisiana–Monroe and Louisiana–Lafayette. The wooden boot-shaped rivalry trophy was created in 2002 to be awarded to the victors.[10]
Louisiana–Monroe/Louisiana–Lafayette: All-Time Record
Games played
First meeting
Last meeting
ULM wins
ULM losses
Ties
Win %
47
September 15, 1951 (lost 7–13)
November 5, 2011 (lost 35–36)
23
24
0
48.9%
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Main article: Trail of Tears Classic
Both schools were nicknamed the Indians until the NCAA banned the native American nickname. ULM changed their nickname to the Warhawks in 2006, and ASU changed their nickname to the Red Wolves in 2008. Arkansas State leads the overall series against ULM (19-14). ASU won the first meeting in Jonesboro in 1959, 15-0. ASU and ULM have been conference foes in the Southland and the Sun Belt. The rivals shared the Sun Belt title in 2005. The series is alternates every year between Jonesboro and Monroe, Louisiana.
Louisiana–Monroe/Arkansas State: All-Time Record
Games played
First meeting
Last meeting
ULM wins
ULM losses
Ties
Win %
33
September 19, 1959 (lost 0–15)
October 8, 2011 (lost 19–24)
14
19
0
42.4%
Inactive rivalry
Northwestern State Demons
In the 1992 edition of the rivalry game, the teams' mascots Vic the Demon and Chief Brave Spirit got involved in a fight that distracted television cameras to the point that the entire altercation is caught on video. In the scuffle, Vic the Demon's head is ripped off as the two crashed to the ground behind one of the end zones, which according to the video clip breaks a "cardinal rule" of being a mascot. The melee was broken up by college police without further incident.[11]
Louisiana–Monroe/Northwestern State: All-Time Record
