Fans begin to rejoice and plan for the weekend as the ULM Warhawks are set to take on their north Louisiana neighbors in the Grambling State University Tigers for this football season’s opener.

Saturday’s game will mark the fourth time the two universities meet on the field.

The Warhawks own the series and are undefeated in all three games played against Grambling.

Their last game ended 48-10 in favor of the Warhawks back in Sept. 2013.

Both teams had decent seasons last year, although Grambling did play one less game. The Warhawks ended their 2018 campaign 6-6 while Grambling managed 6-5. Their one common adversary came in the form of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns beat out Grambling opening day (17-49) and finished the Warhawks season when they beat them (28-31) at home.

Representatives of both teams recently met up at the Monroe Civic Center for a joint press conference in anticipation of the game.

Among the coaching staff for both teams, Monroe mayor Jamie Mayo was also present as well as ULM president, Nick Bruno, and Rick Gallot, the president of Grambling State University.

Saturday’s game is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. at Malone Stadium.

Other than the chance to see their local team in action against an in-state rival the Warhawks faithful have one more reason to turn up for Saturday’s game- the new grove.

This year marks the first season away from the famed grove tailgating spot that was replaced by a parking lot for the new medical school being built on ULM’s campus.

The new grove looks to excite fans and maintain their game day atmosphere.