Louisiana schools to renew gridiron rivalry after more than 20 years
It has been 23 years since Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana Tech last matched up on the gridiron, but that will soon change.
On Wednesday, the "I-20" rivals announced a deal to play a home-and-home series beginning in 2030-31.
The L.A. Tech Bulldogs will host the first game at Joe Aillet Stadium on Sept. 21, 2030, before the series shifts to the Warhawks' home, Malone Stadium, the following season on Sept. 13, 2031.
ULM athletic director John Hartwell told the school's website that "rekindling" the rivalry benefits both programs while adding that he hopes it will lead to more consistent matchups.
"We are excited to renew the football series with Louisiana Tech," Hartwell said. "Obviously, we play them in other sports on an annual basis, but this is good for both the Warhawk and Louisiana Tech fan bases."
Both programs have fallen on hard times recently. L.A. Tech is coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons and hasn't tallied a winning record since 2019 (10-3). Meanwhile, ULM hasn't posted a record above .500 since 2012 (8-5), coming off 4-8 campaigns in 2022 and 2021.
The Bulldogs won the most recent meeting with the Warhawks on Nov. 11, 2000, 42-19. L.A. Tech has won the last seven matchups, excluding a 1989 forfeited victory.
The two sides initially agreed to renew their rivalry in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to its cancelation.
Separated by only 37 miles, ULM and L.A. Tech have met 43 times since 1953, with the Bulldogs holding the all-time series lead, 30-13.
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