SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After a tough loss to Nicholls last weekend in Louisiana, the University of the Incarnate Word football team returns home for a pivotal Southland Conference battle against McNeese at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Benson Stadium.
OPENING KICK
Facing the defending conference champion, the Cardinals (1-2, 1-1 SLC) will have their work cut out for them as they try to slow down one of the league's most prolific offensive attacks in the Cowboys (1-2, 0-1 SLC). UIW carries a ton of momentum after scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter in Thibodaux, La.
McNeese is coming off of its first Southland Conference loss since the team's 2014 finale. The Cowboys had two first half special teams miscues and a fourth quarter interception that led to 21 Stephen F. Austin points proved to be difference in the Lumberjacks beating the 13
th-ranked Cowboys, 31-28, in the league opener for both teams.
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
2016: 1-2 overall, 0-1 SLC
Last Game: L vs. Stephen F. Austin (31-28)
Head Coach: Lance Guidry
Key Offensive Players:
#4 Jr. QB James Tabary (66-116-1, 839 yds, 6 td)
#6 Jr. RB Ryan Ross (43-210, 4.8 ypc, 0 td)
#34 SR. RB Dylan Long (7-54, 3.0 ypc, 4 td)
#1 Jr. WR Kent Shelby (16-240, 15.0 ypc, 2 td)
#2 Jr. WR Darious Crawley (11-210, 19.1 ypc, 4 td)
Key Defensive Players:
#55 Jr. DE Jammerio Gross (19 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 1 sck)
#49 Jr. LB Ashari Goins (14 tkls, 1 brup, 1 qbh)
#45 Jr. LB Ed Duplessis (13 tkls)
Summary:
McNeese will enter the game winners of five straight conference games away from home. The Cowboys had their nine-game league winning streak and 10-game regular season streak halted against SFA last Saturday.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2016: 1-2 overall, 1-1 SLC
Last Game: L at Nicholls (35-28)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#4 Jr. QB
Trent Brittain (47-95-2, 708 yds, 6 td)
#8 Sr. RB
Broderick Reeves (40-130, 3.2 ypc, 1 td)
#2 Sr. WR
Jordan Hicks (11-210, 19.1 ypc, 1 td)
#81 Jr. WR
Kody Edwards (10-185, 18.5 ypc, 2 td)
Key Defensive Players:
#33 Sr. LB
Joel Higgins (22 tkls)
#17 Jr. DB
Sean Hoeferkamp (21 tkls, 3 brup)
#35 So. DB
Jawun Jiles (19 tkls, 1 tfl)
Summary:
UIW has had and up-and-down season through three games. The Cardinals opened the year with a disappointing 31-22 loss against Texas A&M-Kingsville at home, but responded with a Southland Conference-opening victory at Northwestern State, 21-18. UIW is coming off of a 35-28 defeat on the road against a talented Nicholls squad.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cardinals will look to buck the trend of their first two meetings with the Cowboys. UIW is 0-2 all-time against McNeese. Last season the Cowboys earned a 43-6 victory in Lake Charles, La. McNeese earned a 41-21 win in 2014 in San Antonio.
UP NEXT
Following this weekend's action the Cardinals will have a short trip to San Marcos for a battle against Texas State on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.
STAY TUNED
UIW will host Sam Houston at 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Benson Stadium. The contest will serve as the team's annual cancer awareness game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
