SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word football team hopes to improve to 2-1 this week when they host Langston University on Saturday night at 6 p.m. in Benson Stadium.

The Cardinals (1-1) are fresh off a record-setting performance in a 69-0 win over Texas College last week, but are focused on the game against the Lions (0-1).  "We realize that we have to come in every week with a chip on our shoulders and practice as if we lost the week before," said red-shirt freshman quarterback Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS).

The Cardinals set numerous school records in the game against Texas College including most offensive yards (525), most points (69), fewest yards allowed (71) and fewest points allowed (0).  Brittain had a great game setting school records for highest completion percentage (83.3) and highest passer rating (236.8) while tying the school record with three touchdown passes.  Senior fullback Matt Bass (Alvin/Alvin HS) tied the school record by scoring four touchdowns on only seven touches.

The win was nice for UIW, but the team realizes there are still things they can be working on.  "We have to cut down on penalties, we hurt ourselves last week and need to work on that," said Brittain.

The Cardinals were flagged for an uncharacteristic 13 penalties for 109 yards.  Each was the highest total in school history and is a far cry from the 5.5 penalties and 45 penalty yards per game the team committed in 2012.

The Cardinals are averaging 177.0 rushing yards and 201.0 passing yards through the first two games of the season.  Freshmen Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS), Broderick Reeves (Mexia/Mexia HS) and Brittain are each averaging over 40 yards rushing per game.  Brittain is 36-of-56 passing for 355 yards and three touchdowns so far without an interception.  The top receiver on the team is junior Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) with eight grabs for 110 yards.

The UIW defense has been balanced this year with 14 players making five tackles or more.  Kobie Douglas (Plano/Plano HS) leads the team with 12 stops, including 10 solo tackles.  Defensive tackle Robby Horton (Beeville/Jones HS) leads the squad with 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.  The defense is allowing just 2.6 yards per carry and 222.5 yards per game through the air.

In special teams, the Cardinals have been strong in the kicking game.  Senior punter Emmanuel Nunez (Dallas/Seguin HS) is averaging 45.0 yards per kick and has yet to have a kick go less than 40 yards.  Place kicker Jake Wilcox (San Antonio/Reagan HS) set the school record with 15 kicking points in last week's game and is a perfect 10-for-10 on extra points and 2-for-3 on field goal attempts.

Langston entered the season as the #23 team in NAIA, but lost their first game at NCAA FCS opponent Northern Colorado, 31-10.  The Lions scored first in the game, but could only manage 331 yards of offense while giving up 439 yards.  They also turned the ball over three times in the game.

The Lions have defeated the Cardinals in the two previous meetings between the teams.  In 2009 they won 17-14 in Oklahoma and then they won 28-20 in 2010 at Benson Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on KKYX 680 AM and online on KUIW.org.  Live stats and live video will be available through UIWCardinals.com.
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