ABILENE, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word football team has a chance to match a school record for wins in a season this week when they travel to McMurry University for a 2 o'clock kick off on Saturday.

The Cardinals enter the game with a 4-4 record and can match the 2009 team that had five wins.  UIW will have thoughts of revenge on their minds after suffering a 28-20 loss to the Warhawks (1-7) last year despite leading 10-0 after the first quarter.  The 2013 edition of the Cardinals appear better equipped to handle the Warhawks as they have a stingier defense and more potent offense than a year ago.

One issue that could arise is that the Cardinals have struggled on the road in recent years.  They are 0-4 away from home this year and have lost their last 11 games away from Benson Stadium.  The team is optimistic heading into the game against an opponent that has an excellent offense, but a defense that allowed 90 points in a loss last week to West Texas A&M.

It is likely that the Cardinals will try to attack the Warhawks on the ground since McMurry is allowing 306.0 rushing yards per game.  UIW is averaging 165.9 yards per game and have three solid options at halfback who will each get their opportunities.  Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS) leads the team with 488 yards and five touchdowns on the season and went for 115 yards last week in a win against Houston Baptist.  Broderick Reeves (Mexia/Mexia HS), a big-play threat, and John Oglesby (Katy/Seven Lakes HS), a bruiser between the tackles, have combined for 451 yards and five touchdowns this year.

At quarterback, freshman Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS) had his second best game of the year last week and will try to build on that.  He is 124-of-229 for 1,413 yards and eight touchdowns with only five interceptions on the year.  He has also contributed 300 rushing yards, second best on the team.  His favorite target has been Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) who is closing in on the UIW single season record for most receiving yards in a season and has 36 catches for 538 yards.

On defense, reigning College Sports Madness Independent Defensive Player of the Week Devin Haywood (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) leads a group that must contest with a McMurry offense that is averaging 33.8 points per game and over 300 passing yards per game.  Haywood leads the team with 38 tackles and he intercepted his ninth career pass last week.  Robby Horton (Beeville/Jones HS) and the rest of the defensive front will be counted on to provide a strong pass rush.  The Cardinals have 18 sacks on the season and Horton leads the squad with 3.0.

The Warhawks also start a freshman quarterback in Gabe Rodriguez.  He has had an excellent season completing 60.6 percent of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns.  He has tossed 12 interceptions on the season.  His two favorite wide receivers are Jeret Smith and Greg Livingston.  Each player has 58 receptions and 10 touchdowns.  Smith leads the team with 831 receiving yards and Livingston has 696.

McMurry also has a solid running game with Paxton Grayer and Chris Simpson.  Grayer is averaging 9.2 yards per carry and has 606 yards in six games.  Simpson has 548 yards and five touchdowns on a team high 123 carries.

The Warhawks defense is allowing 57 points per game.  Desmond Guy leads the team with 82 tackles while Jonathan Blair has 69 tackles including 10.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
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