ABILENE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will head north for a matchup with archrival Abilene Christian at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Wildcat Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
The Cardinals (1-4, 1-2 SLC) are coming off of a bye week after playing arguably their most complete game of the year against No. 2 Sam Houston on Oct. 8 in San Antonio. UIW hopes that a week away from the gridiron will result in a healthy roster, while not hindering the team's momentum heading into a battle against the winless Wildcats (0-7, 0-5 SLC).
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
 
2016: 0-7 Overall, 0-5 SLC
Last Game: L at No. 1 Sam Houston (48-21)
Head Coach: Ken Collums
Key Offensive Players:
#1 So. QB Dallas Sealey (133-222-3, 1669 YRDS, 11 TD)
#21 Sr. RB Adrian Duncan (72-320 YRDS, 4.4 YPC, 1 TD)
#16 Jr. WR D.J. Fuller (26-427 YRDS, 16.4 YPC, 5 TD)
#5 Jr. WR Troy Grant (25-294 YRDS, 11.8 YPC, 2 TD)
#87 Fr. WR Josh Fink (21-224 YRDS, 10.7 YPC, 2 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#34 Jr. LB Sam Denmark (67 TKLS, 4.5 TFL, 2 INT)
#12 Jr. LB Bryson Gates (40 TKLS, 5.0 TFL, 1 SACK, 2 BU)
#56 So. LB Gavin Burford (34 TKLS, 1.5 TFL, 1 SACK)
Summary:
Abilene Christian will look for its first victory of the season on Saturday after going winless through the team's opening seven games. ACU is coming off of a 48-21 loss at the hands of No. 1 Sam Houston on Oct. 15.
 
Dallas Sealey is the key to the Wildcats' game plan and ACU will need another herculean performance by the sophomore quarterback to protect Wildcat Stadium. Sealey is second in the Southland Conference in passing yards per game and total offense. He was named SLC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 12.
 
To come away with a win on Saturday, Abilene Christian will also need to improve dramatically on defense as the team currently ranks last in the league in total defense and pass defense efficiency. The Wildcats are also second-to-last in rushing defense and scoring defense.

THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2016: 1-5 Overall, 1-3 SLC
Last Game: L vs. No. 1 Sam Houston (63-48)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#4 Jr. QB Trent Brittain (102-194-3, 1324 YRDS, 12 TD)
#8 Sr. RB Broderick Reeves (86-366, 4.1 YPC, 4 TD)
#10 Sr. RB Junior Sessions (28-74, 2.4 YPC, 1 TD)
#81 Jr. WR Kody Edwards (24-444, 18.5 YPC, 6 TD)
#2 Sr. WR Jordan Hicks (15-261, 17.4 YPC, 2 td)
Key Defensive Players:
#33 Sr. LB Joel Higgins (42 TKLS, 2.0 TFL, 1 SACK)
#17 Jr. DB Sean Hoeferkamp (42 TKLS, 3 BU)
#9 Sr. LB Josh Zellars (41 TKLS, 1 BU)
Summary:
UIW survived a front-loaded 2016 schedule and will look for the program's first ever win in Abilene on Saturday. After splitting the first two games of the season, the Cardinals faced a Nicholls squad that nearly upset multiple FBS opponents. UIW then hosted defending Southland champion McNeese, before a challenging matchup against Texas State on the road.
 
The Cardinals are coming off of an offensive explosion at home, scoring 48 points against No. 1 Sam Houston on Oct. 8. UIW's 48 points are the most scored against the undefeated Bearkats all season long, with the next-closest team putting up just 31.
 
The Cardinals will need to exploit ACU's suspect defense and slow down Dallas Sealey to emerge victorious against the Wildcats.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UIW is 2-5 all-time against archrival ACU. The wildcats easily won the first two matchups by a combined score of 115- 33, but the battle has been much more even since that time. The Cardinals are 2-1 over the last three meetings, with each team protecting its home field. Last season UIW picked up a 25-20 victory in San Antonio, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 15-yard scamper by Junior Sessions with only 48 seconds remaining.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following this weekend's action the Cardinals will host Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW will battle Southeastern La. for homecoming at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. The matchup will also serve as the squad's annual Military Appreciation Game.
 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.