SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will fight for its first victory of the 2017 season on Saturday as the squad welcomes in-state opponent Lamar for a 6 p.m. contest at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
Saturday's game will feature a pair of Cardinals squads that are both 0-3 in league play and currently sit at the bottom of the Southland Conference standings. A win for either team would be a huge weight lifted and provide the victor with an ounce of confidence heading into the back half of the 2017 schedule.
 
UIW (0-5, 0-3 SLC) is coming off of a 49-30 loss at the hands of Southeastern Louisiana on the road, while Lamar (1-4, 0-3 SLC) most recently dropped a 41-14 decision to No. 23 Nicholls in Beaumont.
 
HOW TO WATCH
 
Fans of Cardinals football can catch all of the action on the UIWtv live stream.
 
HOW TO LISTEN
 
UIW fans can listen to the game, broadcast by Chris Reyes and Jaime Valdes, by visiting KUIW.org.
 
SCOUTING THE LAMAR CARDINALS
 
2017: 1-4, 0-3 SLC
Last Game: L 41-14 vs. Nicholls (Sept. 30)
Head Coach: Mike Schultz
Key Offensive Players:
No. 7 Jr. QB Darrel Colbert Jr. (75-139-6, 788 YRDS, 8 TD)
No. 9 So. WR Kendrick King (66-339, 4.9 YPC, 2 TD)
No. 1 So. WR Zae Giles (26-216, 8.3 YPC)
No. 15 Fr. RB Martell Hawthorne (7-184, 26.3 YPC, 1 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
No. 49 Fr. LB David Crosley (41 TKL, 2.0 TFL, 1 SACK, 1 FR)
No. 3 Sr. DB Jaylon Bowden (29 TKL, 2 FF, 1.5 TFL, 1 BU, 0.5 SACK)
No. 90 So. DE Daniel Crosley (20 TKL, 4.0 TFL, 3.5 SACKs, 3 QBH, 1 FF)
Summary: Lamar posted a 3-8 record last season, including a 3-6 mark in Southland Conference action. LU is 1-4, with an 0-3 league record in 2017, and is coming off of a 41-14 defeat against No. 23 Nicholls at home.
 
Lamar averages 29.8 points and 405.6 yards of total offense. LU averages 216.4 yards through the air, led by quarterback Darrel Colbert Jr. (788 yards, 4 touchdowns). Colbert also plays a significant role in the Lamar ground game, totaling 320 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. Wide receivers Zae Giles (26 receptions, 216 yards) and Martell Hawthorne (7 receptions, 184 yards, 1 touchdown) emerge as Colbert's favorite targets. Running back Kendrick King (339 yards, 4.9 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns) spearheads the LU rushing attach.
 
Defensively, Lamar surrenders 38 points and 451.8 yards per game, including 168.4 passing yards and 283.4 yards on the ground.
 
Brothers Daniel (20 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble) and David Crosley (41 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery) headline the LU defense. Defensive back Jaylon Bwoden has racked up 29 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup and 0.5 sacks this season.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
2017: 0-5 Overall, 0-3 SLC
Last Game: L 49-30 at Southeastern Louisiana (Oct. 7)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
No. 3 So. QB Sean Brophy (101-173-8, 895 YRDS, 8 TD)
No. 6 Gr. Derrick Mitchell (53-237, 4.5 YPC, 2 TD)
No. 22 Sr. WR Jamari Gilbert (20-235 YRDS, 11.8 YPC)
No. 21 Jr. WR Phillip Baptiste (13-188 YRDS, 14.5 YPC, 1 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
No. 8 Sr. LB Quandre Washington (39 TKL, 2.0 TFL, 1 SACK, 1 FR, 1 QBH, 1 BU)
No. 25 Jr. CB Jamarkese Williams (36 TKL, 2 BU, 1.5 TFL)
No. 55 Jr. DE Darrius Montgomery (18 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 3 BK, 3 QBH, 2.5 SACKS, 1 FF)
Summary: The Cardinals finished their 2016 campaign with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is 0-5 this season, including and 0-3 mark in league action, and coming off of a 49-30 defeat at Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 7.
 
The Cardinals average 20.6 points and 268.8 yards of total offense. UIW averages 197 yards through the air, led by quarterback Sean Brophy (895 yards, 8 touchdowns). Receivers Jamari Gilbert (20 receptions, 235 yards) and Phillip Baptiste (13 receptions, 188 yards, 1 touchdown) emerge as Brophy's most reliable targets. Running back Derrick Mitchell paces the UIW rushing attack with 237 yards on 53 carries, with 2 touchdowns.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals surrender 50.6 points and 501.6 yards per game, including 327 passing yards and 174.6 rushing yards.
 
Linebacker Quandre Washington leads the UIW defense with 39 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass breakup. Cornerback Jamarkese Williams has contributed 36 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss, while defensive end Darrius Montgomery has totaled 18 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3 blocked kicks, 3 quarterback hurries, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble for the Cardinals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Lamar holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Cardinals earned a 35-28 victory in the most recent meeting between programs, on Nov. 12, 2016 in Beaumont, Texas.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW travels to Lake Charles for a 6 p.m. date with McNeese on Oct. 21.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals will host No. 23 Nicholls for homecoming at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
 
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.