Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – A dominating defensive performance propelled the University of the Incarnate Word to a 24-0 victory over visiting Langston University on Saturday night at Benson Stadium in football action.

The win was never in doubt for the Cardinals (2-1) who have posted two consecutive shutouts after not recording one in the program's first four years of existence.  UIW jumped out to a 15-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the game and led 21-0 at halftime before settling for the 24-0 victory.

The UIW defense held the Lions (0-2) to minus-38 rushing yards on 31 carries, a school-record for the unit that only allowed seven rushing yards a week ago against Texas College.  In all, the Cardinals limited the Lions to 65 total yards of offense, also a school record, while accumulating 15 tackles for loss and three sacks.

While the UIW defense played exceptionally well, the offense sputtered at times and special teams struggled with two muffed punts and two missed extra points.  Despite the two turnovers and nine penalties for 80 yards, the Cardinals still extended their shutout streak to eight consecutive quarters.

Although the Cardinals struggled on special teams later in the game, they started the game well.  For a second week in a row, the team's first score was set up by a special teams play.  Last week, UIW blocked a punt on the first possession of the game and this week the threat of the punt block unit forced a bad snap by the Lions that went over the head of punter Dave DeHarde and through the back of the end zone for a safety just 1:35 into the game.

After the free kick, the Cardinals drove 67 yards in 12 plays and scored on a Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS) 2-yard touchdown run with 8:22 left in the first quarter.  The drive was kept alive twice with third down conversions.  On the first, Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS) completed a 15-yard pass to Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) on third-and-8 from the Lindenwood 35-yard line and then Brittain scampered eight yards on a third-and-4 to set up a first-and-goal situation.

The defense quickly forced a second three-and-out for the Lions setting up another punting situation.  This time, DeHarde bobbled the snap and Tanner Scheel (San Antonio/East Central HS) was their quickly to tackle him for a huge loss before he could punt the ball giving UIW the ball at the 4-yard line.  Two plays later, Matt Bass (Alvin/Alvin HS) plunged into the end zone from a yard out.  After a missed extra point, the Cardinals led 15-0 after only 9:21.

The Lions settled down after the initial struggles in the punting game and put together their best drive of the game.  Quarterback Jac'Quon Miles completed five consecutive passes to move LU from their own 28 to the UIW 17-yard line.  Unfortunately for the visitors, the drive stalled out and they were unable to convert on fourth down and 13 giving the ball back to the Cardinals.  Twice on the drive the Cardinals forced fumbles and each time the Lions were able to recover the loose ball and gain extra yardage.

The Cardinals appeared poised to put more points on the board after driving into the red zone on their ensuing possession thanks to a 17-yard run by Brittain and nice 16-yard gain from Jennings in the passing game.  The Cardinals drove inside the LU 20-yard line, but were unable to convert a fourth-and-3 giving the ball back.

The Lions picked up a pair of first downs, but then Robby Horton (Beeville/Jones HS) tipped a pass that was intercepted by Michael Allen (Garland/Lakeview Centennial HS) giving the Cardinals a short field.  The Cardinals could only gain three yards on their first three plays putting the team in a fourth down situation from the Langston 35-yard line.  Head coach Larry Kennan decided to roll the dice and let the Cardinals go for it.  It turned out beautifully as Brittain rolled out to his right avoiding the pass rush and then at the last second he saw Jennings all alone down the field and hit him for a touchdown to make the score 21-0 with 4:17 left in the second quarter.

The Lions nearly scored before halftime when DeHarde boomed a 72-yard kick that the Cardinals tried to pick up and return only to muff it and Kievon Jackson was there for the recovery at the 6-yard line.  A pass interference call gave Langston a first and goal at the 2-yard line.  The Cardinals stopped two runs and then on third down, Robert Moorman (Bulverde/Smithson Valley HS) and Juston Edwards (Pasadena/Dobie HS) combined for a sack to push the ball back to the 11 and then an incomplete pass on fourth down kept the score at 21-0 heading into halftime.

The Cardinals received the second half kickoff and drove 69 yards in six plays earning a first and goal at the Lions' 7-yard line.  It looked like the Cardinals had a touchdown when Broderick Reeves (Mexia/Mexia HS) took a screen pass and cross the goal line, but a holding call brought the play back and UIW would have to settle for a 27-yard Jake Wilcox (San Antonio/Reagan HS) field goal with 12:21 to play in the third quarter.  It would be the final points of the game.

In the fourth quarter, both teams would reach the red zone, but neither were able to score.

 Offensively, the Cardinals were led by Brittain who was 18-of-31 for 197 yards and a touchdown passing and also rushed 11 times for 97 yards.  Jennings snagged six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown and John Oglesby (Katy/Seven Lakes HS) added 53 yards rushing on 10 carries.  The Cardinals gained 208 yards on the ground and 197 through the air and gained 20 first downs, nine more than the Lions.

The UIW defense was led by Horton and Edwards who each had six tackles to lead the team.  Linebackers Joshua Campbell (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) and Scheel each had two tackles for loss.  Juan Asencio (Pflugerville/Hendrickson HS) reached a milestone when he recorded his 200^th career tackle for the Cardinals becoming only the third player in school history to reach the mark.

Miles finished the game 12-of-27 for 90 yards and an interception in the passing game for the Lions.  Cedrick Jackson was the team's top receiver with four catches for 50 yards.  Chace Green led the Langston defense with 12 tackles and the team's only tackle for loss.  Isaiah Ross added 10 tackles.

The Cardinals hit the road next week when they take on nationally ranked Sam Houston State in Huntsville at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
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