BEAUMONT, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will travel down I10 for a Cardinal-on-Cardinal confrontation with Lamar at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
The UIW Cardinals (1-8, 1-6 SLC) will look to snap a seven-game skid and take advantage of an injury-riddled opponent in the Lamar Cardinals (3-6, 3-4 SLC). LU opened Southland Conference action by winning three of four contests, but has since lost its starting running back, starting quarterback and backup quarterback to injury.
 
SCOUTING THE LAMAR CARDINALS
 
2016: 3-6 Overall, 3-4 SLC
Last Game: L at Nicholls (35-10)
Head Coach: Ray Woodard
Key Offensive Players:
#17 Fr. QB Adam Morse (26-51-1, 309 YRDS, 2 TD)
#22 Fr. RB Austin Krautz (89-277 YRDS, 3.1 YPC, 1 TD)
#1 So. WR Zae Giles (39-420 YRDS, 10.8 YPC, 4 TD)
#4 So. WR DeWan Thompson (25-352 YRDS, 14.1 YPC, 3 TD)
#6 Jr. WR Marcus Daggs (17-205 YRDS, 12.1 YPC, 1 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#29 Sr. DB Xavier Bethany (85 TKL, 3 INT, 3 BU, 1.0 TFL)
#35 So. LB Cameron Hampton (80 TKL, 6.5 TFL, 2 QBH, 1.0 SACKS, 1 RCV)
#47 Jr. LB Tanner Kanteman (42 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 SACKS, 1 RCV, 1 BU)
Summary: Lamar enters Saturday's ballgame with a 3-6 overall record and a 3-4 mark in Southland Conference action. The Cardinals have lost three straight games and are coming off of a 35-10 defeat at the hands of Nicholls in Thibodaux.
 
Lamar is averaging 21.3 points and 342.0 yards of total offense per game. The Cardinals average 191.4 yards through the air, led by quarterback Adam Morse, who stepped in after injuries to Lamar's top two quarterbacks. Receivers Zae Giles (420 yards, four touchdowns), DeWan Thompson (352 yards, three touchdowns) and Marcus Daggs (205 yards, 1 touchdown) emerge as the team's most dangerous targets. Running back Austin Krautz has rushed for 277 yards and a touchdown since taking over for the injured Kade Harrington.
 
Defensively the Cardinals surrender 28.9 points and 413.0 yards per game, including 161.8 passing yards and 251.2 rushing yards per game.
 
Defensive back Xavier Bethany leads the Lamar defense with 85 tackles, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Linebacker Cameron Hampton has registered 80 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a sack and a fumble recovery, while fellow linebacker Tanner Kanteman has contributed 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
2016: 1-8 Overall, 1-6 SLC
Last Game: L vs. Southeastern La. (30-10)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#4 Jr. QB Trent Brittain (141-285-5, 1767 YRDS, 13 TD, 4 rushing TD)
#8 Sr. RB Broderick Reeves (105-416, 3.8 YPC, 5 TD)
#10 Sr. RB Junior Sessions (66-208, 3.0 YPC, 2 TD)
#81 Jr. WR Kody Edwards (33-592, 17.9 YPC, 7 TD)
#22 Jr. WR Jamari Gilbert (18-272, 15.1 YPC, 4 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#9 Sr. LB Josh Zellars (68 TKLS, 1.5 TFL, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 1 BU)
#17­ Jr. DB Sean Hoeferkamp (60 TKLS, 4 BU)
#33 Sr. LB Joel Higgins (57 TKLS, 4.5 TFL, 3.0 SACKS, 1 BLKD KICK, 1 BU)
Summary: The Cardinals enter Saturday's matchup at 1-8 overall and 1-6 in Southland Conference play. UIW has dropped seven consecutive games and is coming off of a 30-10 homecoming defeat against Southeastern Louisiana.
 
The Cardinals are averaging 25.2 points and 345.0 yards of total offense per game. UIW averages 233.4 yards through the air, led by quarterback Trent Brittain. Receivers Kody Edwards (592 yards, seven touchdowns) and Jamari Gilbert (272 yards, four touchdowns) emerge as Brittain's favorite targets. Running backs Broderick Reeves and Junior Sessions spearhead the UIW ground game, rushing for a combined 624 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
 
Defensively the Cardinals surrender 40.1 points and 481.9 yards per game, including 233.4 passing yards and 199.8 rushing yards per game.
 
Linebacker Josh Zellars leads the UIW defense with 68 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. Defensive back Sean Hoeferkamp has totaled 60 tackles and four pass breakups, while linebacker Joel Higgins has racked up 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one blocked kick and one pass breakup.
 
SERIES HISTORY
UIW and Lamar have met just twice in program history, with LU holding a 2-0 record in the all-time series. Lamar earned a 31-20 victory in 2014 when the teams first met at Provost Umphrey Stadium. LU picked up a 28-21 win last season at Benson Stadium.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following this weekend's action, the Cardinals have a quick turnaround as they host a season-finale battle with Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.
 
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.