SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word football team is closing the season in style on Saturday at 2 p.m. when Angelo State comes to Benson Stadium.

The Cardinals (6-4) have won three straight games, including the last two on touchdowns with under two minutes remaining.  They also have a perfect 5-0 home record this year.  The team secured their first-ever winning season with a dramatic 34-31 victory over Abilene Christian last Saturday.

UIW has used a balanced offensive attack directed by red-shirt freshman quarterback Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS) to much success.  They are scoring 26.8 points per game while averaging 188.7 yards rushing and 184.4 yards passing per contest.  Brittain is completing 55.9 percent of his passes for 1,782 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions.  He has also picked up 363 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

Late season sensation Broderick Reeves (Mexia/Mexia HS) leads the rushing attack with 591 yards and 11 touchdowns on 7.0 yards per carry.  He has exploded for 365 yards and eight touchdowns in the last two weeks.  Fellow freshman Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS) has missed most of the last two games with an injury, but is expected back in the lineup.  He has 512 yards and five touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry and has added 11 receptions for 144 yards.

In the passing game, junior wide receiver Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) has been the top target with 48 catches for a school-record 695 yards and five touchdowns.  He needs just six catches to set the UIW single season record for receptions.  Clint Killough (San Antonio/MacArthur HS) is the second leading receiver with 17 catches for 275 yards.

The UIW defense is led by seniors Devin Haywood (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) and Robby Horton (Beeville/Jones HS).  Haywood, a safety, has 48 tackles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and five pass breakups.  Horton, a defensive tackle, is third on the team with 40 tackles and leads the squad with 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.  The defense is allowing 383.6 yards per game.

The Rams (4-6) boast a dynamic quarterback and two excellent running backs.  Kyle Washington has a chance to become ASU's first player to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 yards in the same season.  He enters Saturday's contest with 992 yards rushing and 1,891 yards passing.  Running back Jermie Calhoun enters the game with a chance for a 1,000-yard season as well with 847 yards and five touchdowns on the year.  Blake Smith chips in with 549 yards and seven touchdowns rushing.  Washington's top target is Joey Knight who has 46 catches for 489 yards.

The ASU defense has accumulated 89 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback sacks this year.  Linebacker Rush Seaver leads the team with 101 tackles and 14.0 tackles for loss.  Matthew Gholston has 12.0 tackles for loss and a team high 6.0 sacks and Clayton Callicutt has added 10.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.

The Cardinals and Rams have met three times previously with Angelo State winning all three ball games.  UIW is celebrating Blue Santa Day and will allow anyone bringing a new, unwrapped gift with them free admission into the game.
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