Keep your helmets tight, Warhawks nation— 2025 looks to be one crazy ride. UL-Monroe is coming into the new year with a fire in its belly. It had a chip on its shoulder and one of the most unpredictable yet exciting schedules in the Sun Belt.
From SEC battles to Sun Belt rivalry battles, the Warhawks will be pushed hard and frequently. But if there’s one thing Monroe excels at, it’s playing the underdog card—and this year, they’re poised to turn the tables.
2025 UL-Monroe Warhawks Football Schedule
- Fri, Aug 29—vs. St. Francis (PA)
- Sat, Sep 6—at Alabama
- Sat, Sep 20—at UTEP
- Sat, Sep 27—vs Arkansas State
- Sat, Oct 4—at Northwestern
- Sat, Oct 11—at Coastal Carolina
- Sat, Oct 18—vs. Troy
- Sat, Oct 25—at Southern Miss
- Sat, Nov 1—vs Old Dominion
- Sat, Nov 15—vs South Alabama
- Sat, Nov 22—at Texas State
- Sat, Nov 29—at Louisiana
Early Season Grind: Tests, Tune-Ups, and Tides
UL-Monroe gets the season started under the Friday night lights on Aug. 29 as they welcome St. Francis (PA) for what will be a tune-up game. The Red Flash are out of the FCS level, so look for the Warhawks to test out their new offense. And with that, possibly introduce a new starting quarterback after the 2024 season.
Then strap in. The Warhawks travel to Tuscaloosa on Sept. 6 to meet none other than Alabama—a school that needs no introduction. A win would take a miracle, but there’s no better way to hone your claws than by battling it out with a longtime power. And, hey, UL-Monroe did pull the upset on the Tide back in 2007, so miracles aren’t strictly out of the question.
Following a sorely needed bye week, Monroe heads west to take on UTEP on September 20. The Miners have been quietly constructing, but this is an actual toss-up-one of those ugly Group of Five fights that can boil down to who commits fewer errors. For UL-Monroe, this is a win they need in order to build up their confidence before plunging into Sun Belt action.
Sun Belt Showdowns Will Be Rivalries and Redemption
The Warhawks travel back to Malone Stadium on September 27 to host Arkansas State, a long-time Sun Belt nemesis. Feelings are normally high in this contest, and with hopes of bowl eligibility on the line, the Red Wolves will be bringing their top effort. This is a game in which the Red Dogs must defend their home turf.
Next is a back-to-back road sequence that will challenge Monroe’s mettle. Northwestern on Oct. 4, yes, a Big Ten road game to cold Evanston. The Wildcats aren’t typical bruisers, but they play cerebral football and will find any flaws in Monroe’s defensive secondary. The following week, Oct. 11, UL-Monroe visits Coastal Carolina, a Sun Belt force that has made life difficult for defenses with its quirky spread-option offense.
Monroe finally receives a breather with two home games: Troy on Oct.18 and Old Dominion on November 1. Troy is still among the upper-echelon programs within the conference, so if Monroe is going to take a step forward, pulling off this game would make an impression. Conversely, the ODU game is easier, and the Warhawks ought to be going for a dominant performance to keep bowl aspirations alive.
Slammed between those home contests is a grueling road battle on Oct. 25 at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have been stubborn to defeat at Hattiesburg, and they prefer to wear teams down with old-fashioned, defense-oriented football. Monroe will have to be physical or risk being worn down.
Can the Warhawks Go Bowling?
The stretch season gets underway with a sneaky-tough challenge on Nov. 15 when South Alabama travels to Monroe. The Jaguars have been constructing one of the better underrated teams in the Sun Belt, but this is a winnable contest if the Warhawks make the most of home-field advantage and get it done in the red zone.
Then, there are two road games to wrap up the season. First, it’s on Nov. 22 against Texas State, and the Bobcats, like Monroe, have been scrapping and fighting for solidity. Both programs usually tend to be teetering around bowl contention in late November, so this would be an effective elimination game.
Finally, the 2025 campaign concludes with the biggest rivalry of them all—ULM at Louisiana on Nov. 29. The Battle on the Bayou is always personal, and with bragging rights and postseason stakes possibly in play, don’t expect a friendly handshake and goodbye. This one could get spicy, and that’s exactly how Monroe likes it.
Time to Turn the Corner?
UL-Monroe stands at a fork in 2025. The previous couple of seasons have been marked by glimpses of promise but hindered by inconsistency on both offense and defense. Yet, this season’s schedule offers a sustainable route to bowl games—if the Warhawks can defend home ground and pull a few upsets on the road.
KEEP READING: UTEP 2025 Football Schedule: Where Will the Miners Finish This Season?
Coach Terry Bowden has had a couple of seasons to install his system, and the maturation of his freshman recruits might finally come to fruition. Chief returnees such as running back Isaiah Woullard and linebacker Tristan Driggers will be expected to anchor both sides of the ball, but quarterback play will be the deciding factor in whether Monroe makes the next leap or remains stuck in the middle tier once again.
There’s no arguing the 2025 schedule is daunting, particularly with road trips to Alabama, Coastal Carolina, and Louisiana. But if the Warhawks play smart, minimize turnovers, and use their home-field advantage, there’s a very legitimate chance of reaching the six-win plateau and ending a long postseason drought.
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