LAKE CHARLES, La. – Coming off of their first win of the 2017 season, the University of the Incarnate Word football team will enter one of the toughest stretches in the nation as they face four consecutive top-25 opponents, beginning with a 6 p.m. matchup against No. 19 McNeese on Saturday at Cowboy Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
The Cardinals (1-5, 1-3 SLC) picked up a 33-24 victory over Lamar on Saturday, utilizing an incredible performance on the ground. UIW's run game will be put to the test against the Cowboys (5-1, 3-1 SLC), who boast the stingiest defense in the Southland Conference. McNeese not only leads the league in virtually every defensive statistic, but the Cowboys currently rank second in the country in rushing yards allowed.
 
The McNeese offense is not nearly as impressive as its defense, but the Cardinals will have to find a way to put points on the board in order to upset one of their toughest adversaries this season.
 
HOW TO WATCH
 
Fans of Cardinals football can catch all of the action via the Cowboy Insider 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 MCNEESE COWBOYS
 
2017: 5-1, 3-1 SLC
Last Game: W 13-7 at Abilene Christian (Oct. 7)
Head Coach: Lance Guidry
Key Offensive Players:
No. 4 Jr. QB James Tabary (117-188-5, 1348 YRDS, 15 TD)
No. 22 So. RB Justin Pratt (99-495 YRDS, 5.0 YPC, 2 TD)
No. 32 Jr. RB David Hamm (64-367 YRDS, 5.7 YPC, 3 TD)
No. 1 Sr. WR Shelby Kent (26-333 YRDS, 12.8 YPC, 3 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
No. 49 Sr. LB Ashari Goins (32 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 3.5 SACKS, 1 FF, 1 BU)
No. 24 Sr. DB Morgan Damion (25 TKL, 3 BU, 1 INT, 1.0 TFL)
No. 8 Sr. DB Andre Fuller (19 TKL, 4 BU, 2.5 TFL, I INT, 1 FF, 1.0 SACKS).
Summary: McNeese posted a 6-5 record last season, including a 5-4 mark in Southland Conference action. The Cowboys are 5-1 in 2017, with a 3-1 league record, and are coming off of a bye week after a 13-7 victory over Abilene Christian on the road.
 
McNeese averages 31 points and 413.8 yards of total offense. The Cowboys average 225.5 yards through the air, led by quarterback James Tabary (1348 yards, 15 touchdowns). Running backs Justin Pratt (495 yards, 2 touchdowns) and David Hamm (367 yards, 3 touchdowns) spearhead the McNeese rushing attack. Wide receiver Shelby Kent (333 yards, 3 touchdowns) emerges as Tabary's favorite target.
 
Defensively, McNeese allows just 17.3 points and 267 yards per game, including 216.5 passing yards and 50.5 yards on the ground.
 
Linebacker Ashari Goins headlines the Cowboys defense with 32 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 pass breakup. Defensive back Morgan Damion has 25 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 1.0 tackles for loss, while fellow DB Andre Fuller has contributed 19 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1.0 sacks for the balanced McNeese defense.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
2017: 1-5 Overall, 1-3 SLC
Last Game: W 33-24 vs. Lamar (Oct. 14)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
No. 3 So. QB Sean Brophy (114-196-8, 1057 YRDS, 9 TD)
No. 6 Gr. Derrick Mitchell (69-370, 5.4 YPC, 4 TD)
No. 21 Jr. WR Phillip Baptiste (19-314 YRDS, 16.5 YPC, 1 TD)
No. 22 Sr. WR Jamari Gilbert (21-237 YRDS, 11.3 YPC)
Key Defensive Players:
No. 8 Sr. LB Quandre Washington (52 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 1 SACK, 1 FR, 1 QBH, 1 BU)
No. 9 So. LB Mar'kel Cooks (43 TKL, 4.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 1 BU, 0.5 SACKS)
No. 55 Jr. DE Darrius Montgomery (21 TKL, 6.0 TFL, 3.5 SACKS, 3 BK, 3 QBH, 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 1-5 this season, including and 1-3 mark in league action, and coming off of a 33-24 victory over Lamar on Oct. 14 at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.
 
The Cardinals average 22.7 points and 301.5 yards of total offense. UIW averages 200.8 yards through the air, led by quarterback Sean Brophy (1057 yards, 9 touchdowns). Receivers Jamari Gilbert (237 yards) and Phillip Baptiste (314 yards, 1 touchdown) emerge as Brophy's most reliable targets. Running back Derrick Mitchell paces the UIW rushing attack with 370 yards on 69 carries and 4 touchdowns.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals surrender 46.2 points and 483 yards per game, including 318.3 passing yards and 164.7 rushing yards.
 
Linebacker Quandre Washington leads the UIW defense with 52 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 quarterback hurry and 1 pass breakup. Fellow linebacker Mar'kel Cooks has contributed 43 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hurry, 1 pass breakup and 0.5 sacks, while defensive end Darrius Montgomery has totaled 21 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 blocked kicks, 3 quarterback hurries and 1 forced fumble for the Cardinals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
McNeese holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Cowboys earned a narrow 42-35 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Sept. 24, last season in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will host No. 20 Nicholls for homecoming at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW travels to Huntsville for a matchup with No. 7 Sam Houston on Saturday, Nov. 4. A game time for the contest has yet to be announced.
 
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.