SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word opens up the 2013 football season on the road at No. 6 Central Arkansas on Thursday night at 7 p.m.  UIW's first game as a member of NCAA Division I will take play on UCA's famous First Security Field at Estes Stadium that is known for its purple and gray field turf.

The Cardinals are in their second year under head coach Larry Kennan and were only 2-9 last year, but have their eyes set on the programs' first ever winning season.  Meanwhile, the Bears went 9-3 in 2012 and advanced to the NCAA FCS playoffs.  They are led by Clint Conque who is entering his 14th year at the helm.

The Cardinals will have a new look this season for a few reasons.  They broke out brand new uniforms and helmets this preseason, but the biggest change is the departure of the "Forever First" class that closed out their careers last November.  The loss of those 25 seniors means the Cardinals only return 51 rushing yards and 428 receiving yards from a year ago.

Kennan has entrusted the starting quarterback job to red-shirt freshman Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS).  Brittain is mobile and throws well on the run.  His favorite target in the preseason has been junior college transfer Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Chabot) who was also the leading receiving in the Spring game.  Sophomores Brandon Yates (San Antonio/Clark HS) and Kent Hadnot (Houston/Elkins HS) should also see a lot of action at wide receiver.  Tight end Cole Wick (Hallettsville/Sacred Heart Catholic HS) will also provide Brittain with a big (6'7") target.

The strength of the Cardinals should be the defense where they have a good mix of new and old players.  Seniors Robby Horton (Beeville/A.C. Jones HS), Michael Tate (Houston/Alief Elsik HS), Juan Asencio (Pflugerville/Hendrickson HS) and Devin Haywood (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) will provide the leadership while freshmen Adrian Norwood, Jr. (Waco/Waco HS) and Daryl Irby
(Pearland/Dawson HS) will be the young talent.

UIW special teams should be a strength with punter Emmanuel Nunez (Dallas/Seguin HS) back in the fold.  He was seventh in NCAA Division II last year with a 42.8 yard average.  In the return game, Asencio has proven to be an excellent kick returner.

The Bears are very strong on both sides of the ball.  The offense is led by quarterback Wynrick Smothers who was the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2012.  He passed for 3,103 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 449 yards and three touchdowns.  He is the team's leading returning ground gainer, but does have Dezmin Lewis back at wide receiver.  Lewis had 56 catches for 616 yards and six touchdowns last year.

The defense is led by Southland Freshman of the Year defensive end Jonathan Woodard who teams with Markeith Gaines to provide a devastating pass rush.  All-Southland safety Jestin Love also returns and has already been named to a number of preseason All-America teams and Watch lists.

UCA boasts first team all-conference place kicker Eddie Camara who was 53-of-54 on PATs and 13-of-15 on field goals last year.
The game will be broadcast on KKYX 680 AM in San Antonio with Gabe Farias and Shawn Morris back for a second season in the booth.  This week's game will be tape delayed and will come on after the Missions baseball game.  The UIW student station KUIW will also be broadcasting the game online at www.kuiw.org. 
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