NATCHITOCHES, La. – On a solid offensive night by the University of the Incarnate Word, it was the Cardinal defense that lifted UIW to a 21-18 Southland Conference-opening victory over a talented Northwestern State squad at Turpin Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
With just under three minutes remaining on Thursday, the Cardinals (1-1, 1-0 SLC) clung to a 21-18 advantage and faced a third-and-14, backed up to their own end zone after the Demons (0-2, 0-1 SLC) sacked quarterback Trent Brittain.
 
On third down, Brittain dropped back and hurled a pass that floated over the head of a Northwestern St. defender and fell into the hands of Jordan Hicks for a first down. On the next play, Broderick Reeves broke loose for a 29-yard gainer that allowed UIW to milk another two minutes of clock before punting to the Demons.
 
Northwestern State put up a valiant effort over the final minute, but the Cardinal defense held one final time to preserve the victory.
 
The first half was controlled by UIW as the Cardinals outgained the Demons, 199 yards to 110. On the offensive side, Junior Sessions scampered for a two-yard score and Kody Edwards made an incredible leaping grab for a touchdown in the back of the end zone. Defensively, UIW utilized a bend-don't-break approach, coming up strong in the red zone and forcing a pair of field goals to take a 14-6 lead into the break.
 
Northwestern St. looked to shift the momentum early in the third quarter when Oscar Draguicevich's punt was blocked and he was surrounded by Demons in the end zone for a safety. Just over five minutes later, Northwestern St. chipped its third field goal of the contest to pull within three, 14-11.
 
The Cardinals quickly punched back with a four-play, 69-yard drive, capped off by a Broderick Reeves 11-yard touchdown run to take a 10-point advantage.
 
Just when it looked like UIW would pull away, the Demons finally found the end zone. Northwestern St. put together an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a three-yard Chris Jones rushing score.
 
LEADERS
 
Brittain finished 16-for-33 with 241 yards. Reeves turned in a 101-yard outing, while Hicks tallied 93 yards receiving.
 
Michael Allen spearheaded the Cardinal defense with seven tackles.
 
QUOTES
 
COACH LARRY KENNAN ON THE WIN
 
"We beat a really good football team. Those guys are really good. We have great respect for those people. We've got hope now. We needed a win. Now we've got a chance."
 
QUARTERBACK TRENT BRITTAIN ON THE DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE
 
"I've said it all year and I'll be saying it until the end, we're going to lean on our defense," Brittain said. "I just said to those guys in the locker room, Daryl Irby's got as good a chance to be an All-American as I've ever seen. We're always going to lean on the defense, but offense has some stuff to clean up. It's nice to have that defensive backbone and lean on those guys."
 
BRITTAIN ON OPENING SOUTHLAND PLAY WITH A WIN
 
"It's huge. Coming off of a loss last week that we didn't think we should have had, it's big to come into somebody else's house and where we haven't been as successful and come away with a win. In a tough conference it just means a lot and I couldn't be prouder of the guys."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will next head to Thibodaux, La. for a 3 p.m. matchup with Nicholls on Saturday, Sept. 17 at John L. Guidry Stadium.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW returns to San Antonio for a battle with McNeese at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.
 
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