Louisiana-Monroe’s history in the Sun Belt has been less than stellar.
The Warhawks have not had a winning record since going 8-5 in 2012, although there have also been two .500 seasons during that span. Once again, the Warhawks are starting over after Terry Bowden was fired following a 2-10 season in 2023 that concluded with 10 consecutive losses. In his three years, Bowden went 10-26 after inheriting a 0-10 team.
Now head coach Bryant Vincent has the task of attempting to turn around a struggling program that has had just one winning season (the aforementioned 2012) since ULM joined the Sun Belt in 2001. In 2022, Vincent was named the interim head coach at UAB and guided the Blazers to a 7-6 record and a win in the Bahamas Bowl. That wasn’t enough to earn the job permanently, though, as UAB hired Trent Dilfer. Last season, Vincent was the offensive coordinator at New Mexico, which finished 4-8 and averaged 27.2 points per game.
Vincent said during Sun Belt Media Day that since his arrival, there are 73 new players in the program, so there will be plenty of competition for starting spots.
This will be a much bigger challenge for Vincent than his stint at UAB, where he had been the offensive coordinator the previous four years. He was inheriting a UAB team that was coming off five straight winning seasons. Now Vincent is taking over a ULM program that has had five straight losing seasons.
The second game of this year should be of special interest to Vincent since ULM will be playing host to UAB.
ULM Football’s Sun Belt Title Odds
ULM’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +20000, via BetMGM.
ULM Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Louisiana-Monroe’s win total Over/Under is 2, with Over 2 at -125 and Under 2 at +105.
ULM Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/29 vs Jackson State
9/7 vs UAB
9/21 at Texas
9/28 at Troy
10/5 vs JMU
10/12 vs Southern Miss
10/26 at South Alabama
11/2 at Marshall
11/9 vs Texas State
11/16 at Auburn
11/23 at Arkansas State
11/30 vs Louisiana
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
For more Group of Five coverage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Key ULM Football Returners
All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention
OL Elijah Fisher
ULM Football Has No Shortage Of Quarterback Candidates
A year ago, ULM averaged 17.3 points per game, which was last in the Sun Belt and 124th nationally.
Hunter Herring is the most experienced returning quarterback in terms of playing for ULM. Herring appeared in just two games last season, completing 16 of 30 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
There should be competition for the quarterback spot, especially via the transfer portal. In May, General Booty transferred from Oklahoma to ULM. A redshirt junior, Booty appeared in two games during his two seasons at Oklahoma. Another quarterback transfer is Aidan Armenta, who redshirted his true freshman season at New Mexico, where Vincent was his offensive coordinator. Yet another redshirt freshman quarterback, Reese Mooney, has transferred from North Texas. Sixth-year quarterback Isaiah Velez is at his fourth school (Coffeyville, Eastern Kentucky, and FIU). In addition, two quarterbacks were on the roster from last year – sophomores Brooks Anzalone and Landon Graves.
A key offensive returner is running back Hunter Smith, who ran for 509 yards and three touchdowns as the Warhawks’ leading rusher. Offensive guard Elijah Fisher is the lone returning starter on the entire offense.
The Warhawks suffered key losses to the transfer portal on both sides of the ball. A key recent loss came when second-team all-conference defensive tackle Adin Huntington transferred to Tulane in late May.
ULM’s leading returning tackler is linebacker Carl Glass Jr., who had 59 tackles including seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks along with two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. Cornerback David Godsey Jr. adds experience to the secondary. He appeared in all 12 games last year, with three interceptions and 36 tackles.
2024 ULM Football Season Prediction
I predict Louisiana-Monroe won’t win the Sun Belt West and will win two games.
For that to happen, the Warhawks would likely have to open with a win over FCS Jackson State (far from a sure thing) and then earn a win in one of their remaining 11 games.
The key will be settling the quarterback situation, and the roster, as outlined, has some depth at that position. If a top-flight quarterback emerges, it obviously could lead to some improvement, although there are low expectations, at least outside of the ULM locker room.
