Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – What a difference a few weeks make. Three weeks ago the University of the Incarnate Word football team traveled to Abilene Christian University and went home humbled with a 40-6 loss. On Saturday, the Cardinals returned the favor with a dramatic 34-31 victory that was not decided until the final seconds at Benson Stadium.

For the second week in a row the Cardinals (6-4) found themselves down by double figures in the fourth quarter. They trailed 31-21 against the Wildcats (5-5) heading into the final period. They pulled to within four points on the second touchdown reception of the game by Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) with 10:45 to play. A defensive stop gave the ball back to UIW midway through the quarter and they proceeded to drive 67 yards in 14 plays and converted three fourth downs. The final fourth down conversion was a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS) with 1:59 to play.



The Wildcats nearly snatched victory in the final moments. John David Baker completed a long pass to Taylor Gabriel for what looked to be a touchdown, but was called back due to a holding call, but was still good for a 40-yard gain. ACU drove down to the 9-yard line and on second down Michael Tate (Houston/Alief Elsik HS) broke through the line and sacked Baker forcing a fumble that was recovered by Joel Higgins (Austin/Sweeny HS) with 26 seconds left. A kneel down ended the game.

The game was a back and forth affair with the Cardinals playing an excellent first half taking a 21-14 lead into halftime. The Wildcats bounced back with a dominating third quarter performance where they outscored UIW, 17-0.

The game began perfectly for the Cardinals as they took the opening kickoff and went 66 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. A 24-yard pass to Jennings got the drive started and then a face mask penalty kept it alive. Freshman running back Broderick Reeves (Mexia/Mexia HS) capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.

The Wildcats came right back with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive of their own. Charcandrick West did most of the damage running six times for 38 yards. Baker connected with Gabriel on a 9-yard scoring strike to tie the game with 5:20 left in the first quarter.

The Cardinals were forced to punt on their next drive and it looked like ACU would take the lead. Baker connected with Darian Hogg on a 59-yard gain to the UIW 12-yard line and the West picked up eight yards on his next carry. UIW sophomore cornerback Kobie Douglas (Plano/Plano HS) intercepted Baker's fade pass into the end zone and returned it 34 yards to thwart ACU's scoring opportunity.

The turnover would turn into seven points for the Cardinals, but not before another ACU penalty kept the drive alive. Facing third-and-16 from the ACU 49-yard the Wildcats were whistled for a pass interference. Three plays later, Reeves broke through the line and sprinted 43 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 11:50 remaining in the second quarter.

The Wildcats came back with a mammoth 14-play, 85-yard drive to tie the game. Baker completed a big 21-yard pass to Jace Hudson and then found tight end Jonathan Parker on a 10-yard pass on a fourth-and-2 from the UIW 24-yard line. Darrell Cantu-Harkless scored the touchdown on a 3-yard run with 4:52 left in the half.

The Cardinals had one final opportunity before halftime and Brittain guided the team on a 12-play, 72-yard drive that took up all but seven seconds of the half. He converted a pair of third downs with nice runs and drove the team all the way down to the ACU 2-yard line with 18 seconds left and no timeouts. He rolled right and then was forced back to his left scrambling all the way to the sideline when he unleashed a pass that Jennings tipped up and then caught in the end zone before going out of bounds to make it 21-14 at the half.

The third quarter was all ACU as they outgained the Cardinals, 176-34 and had the ball for 9:47. They took the opening kickoff and needed only 1:55 to tie the game on a Baker 5-yard pass to Gabriel. They quickly forced a UIW punt that was returned 28 yards by Gabriel to midfield. On the first play from scrimmage, Baker through a backwards pass to Gabriel who then hit West in stride on a 50-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-21 ACU just 4:10 into the third quarter.

The Cardinals appeared set to tie the game a short while later when Baker's pass was intercepted for the second time by Douglas. He returned the ball 21 yards to the ACU 3-yard line making it first-and-goal for the Cardinals. Unfortunately, a bad snap gave the ball back to the Wildcats who recovered the loose ball and nearly were able to pick up the ball and return it for a score before Kolby Rowe jumped on it.

The Wildcats took advantage of the turnover and gradually moved the ball down the field. They had a first down at the UIW 22-yard line and looked to be going in for another touchdown. The Cardinals defense stood strong and forced a field goal attempt which Nik Grau converted from 34 yards out to make it 31-21 with 1:33 left in the third quarter.

The Cardinals embarked on a drive that began in the third quarter and continued on into the fourth quarter. They converted three third downs and drove 77 yards in 12 plays. The score came on an 11-yard pass from Brittain to Jennings on third down. On the extra point attempt, Jake Wilcox's (San Antonio/Reagan HS) kick was blocked when Damon Williams burst through the line making it 31-27 with 10:45 remaining in the game.

The Cardinals forced a three-and-out by the Wildcats and then embarked on their game-winning drive. Brittain picked up a key fourth down at the ACU 26-yard line when he kept the ball for five yards and a first down. On the next set of downs, UIW faced a fourth-and-3 and Brittain connected with Daryl Brooks (Teague/Teague HS) for a 7-yard gain. The Cardinals then faced fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and once again Brittain came through when he rolled out to the right and strolled into the end zone.

The Cardinals picked up 371 yards and 24 first downs on offense. Reeves rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns giving him eight touchdowns and 365 rushing yards in the last two games. Jennings set a school record with nine receptions that went for 112 yards and two scores. He became the single season leader in receiving yards in the game and has 695 for the season. Brandon Yates (San Antonio/Yates HS) added five catches for 35 yards. Brittain finished the game 22-of-33 for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense Kobie Douglas picked off two passes and had two tackles to lead the team. Brandon Tanksley (Katy/Morton Ranch HS) had a team-high six tackles and four others players had five tackles.

The Wildcats had 397 yards and 24 first downs on offense. Baker was 19-of-27 for 279 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions through the air. Gabriel was his favorite target with seven catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Hogg added three catches for 94 yards. West had 16 carries for 91 yards and also had three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcat defense was led by Angel Lopez and Justin Stephens. Lopez had 12 tackles and a pass breakup while Stephens had 11 tackles and a pass breakup.

The Cardinals clinched their first ever winning season and remained a perfect 5-0 at home. It was their first win ever against ACU snapping a streak of four consecutive losses. They close the season next Saturday at home against Angelo State at 2 p.m.
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