THIBODAUX, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will attempt to get back on the winning track on Saturday at Southland Conference rival Nicholls.  The game kicks off at 6 p.m.

The Cardinals (1-7, 1-4) are coming off a 41-21 loss against then #11 McNeese State.  The UIW offense was led by junior quarterback Jordan Scelfo (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe HS) who made his first career start under center and passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another.  Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS) is the top ground gainer with 321 yards on 3.6 yards per carry.  Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) missed last week with an injury, but will be back this week.  He leads the team with 30 catches for 370 yards.  Overall, the Cardinals are averaging 77.9 yards rushing and 159.5 yards passing per game.

The UIW defense had a strong performance last week against McNeese State holding the Cowboys to under 300 yards of offense.  Linebacker Padyn Giebler (Ivan/Stephenville HS) leads the team with 52 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss while safety Robert Johnson (Richmond, CA/Berkeley HS) has made 46 stops.  Defensive tackle Corey Lee (Humble/La Porte HS) is one of the top players in the conference and has 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

Ramon Coto, Jr. (Houston/Westfield HS) leads the UIW specials teams.  He is averaging 41.8 yards per punt, boomed nine touchbacks on kickoffs and recovered a pair of on-side kicks.  He is 6-for-10 on field goals and 9-for-10 on extra points.

The Colonels (0-9, 0-5) are averaging 267 yards on offense and allowing 543 yards on defense per game.  Beaux Hebert is slated to start the game at quarterback and enters the game 61-of-101 for 668 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.  Michael Henry and Tobias Lofton have combined to rush for over 1,000 yards on the season at 5.6 yards per clip.  Demon Bolt is the top receiver with 20 catches for 316 yards.

The Nicholls defense is led by Davin Bovie who has 85 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.  B.T. Sanders, Kameryon Brown and Ronnie Walker each have at least 65 tackles.  Sanders and Josh Singleton have each picked off two passes on the season.

Connor Fryoux is averaging 39.2 yards per punt while Francis Condado handles most of the kickoff and place-kicking duties.  Condado is 4-of-6 on field goals, but only 5-of-10 on extra points.  Fryoux is a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points.

The game will be broadcast on CBS SportsRadio 860 AM with Gabe Farias and Shawn Morris on the call.  Fans can listen online or on a mobile device through www.uiwlive.com.
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