The SEC has not been kind to ULM over the past two seasons. In 2025, Alabama delivered a 77–0 defeat in Tuscaloosa. While the margin was lopsided, Head Coach Bryant Vincent understood his team had run into an angry Crimson Tide squad coming off a loss. To open the 2026 season, Vincent’s group faced a Mississippi State team eager to prove its preseason near‑bottom SEC ranking was a mistake.
The Bulldogs made that point emphatically, scoring on their first eight possessions and overpowering ULM 62–13 in the season opener. Sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor threw five touchdown passes and led Mississippi State to a record‑setting 762 yards of total offense.
ULM (0–1) broke onto the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Cal transfer kicker Abram Murray hit a 43‑yard field goal—his first of the season—capping a 14‑play drive, the longest scoring march of the night for either team.
The second half change at quarterback provided a spark. Austin Carlisle, making his ULM debut, connected with running back Derrick Jameson for a 40‑yard touchdown in the third quarter, marking career first for both players. Carlisle finished 6‑of‑10 for 73 yards passing and added 50 rushing yards.
Murray later drilled a 52‑yard field goal, highlighting the significant improvement in ULM’s special teams compared to last season.
ULM now looks to rebound with another road game to UAB. The Blazers enter the game after falling to Illinois 42-23 back on Thursday night to open their season.
