BEAUMONT, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word closes out their inaugural season as a member of the Southland Conference on Saturday at Lamar University. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
The Cardinals (2-8, 2-5) are averaging 26.0 points per game over their last three contests since
Jordan Scelfo (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe HS) was inserted as the team's starting quarterback. He became the first quarterback in school history to pass for at least 200 yards in three straight games last week. If he passes for 211 yards against Lamar he will become the third player to pass for at least 1,000 yards in a season. Scelfo enters the game 57-of-113 for 789 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The UIW running game is led by sophomore
Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS). He has 462 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He needs two yards to become the second player in school history with at least 1,000 career rushing yards.
Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) and
Cole Wick (Hallettsville/Sacred Heart Catholic HS) are the top receivers for the Cardinals. Jennings had 38 grabs for 456 yards and a touchdown. Wick has 18 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging a school record 18.4 yards per reception.
Robert Johnson (Richmond, CA/Berkeley HS) and
Padyn Giebler (Ivan/Stephenville HS) are tied for the team lead with 63 tackles apiece for UIW.
Corey Lee (Humble/La Porte HS) has a school record 14.5 tackles for loss this year along with 5.0 sacks.
Kobie Douglas (Plano/Plano HS) has been the top pass defender with nine pass breakups.
On special teams, Ramon Coto (Houston/Westfield HS) is averaging 41.6 yards per punt and he is 9-of-13 on field goals. The team is ranked in the top three in the conference in both punt coverage and kickoff coverage.
Lamar is 6-4 on the season with a 3-3 conference record. They have a potent offense that is led by quarterback Caleb Berry. Berry is completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 3,148 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His favorite targets have been Reggie Begelton and Mark Roberts. Begelton has 56 catches for 726 yards and six touchdowns while Roberts has 36 catches for 930 yards and 11 scores.
The Cardinals are also picking up 192.3 yards per game on the ground. Kade Harrington has 532 yards and nine touchdowns while Carl Harris has 668 yards and six touchdowns.
The LU defense is averaging 6.9 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks per game. Xavier Bethany leads the team with 92 tackles while Ronnie Jones has 80 tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss. Joe Okafor leads the team with 5.0 sacks.
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