HAMMOND, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word football team was unable to slow down the high-powered Southeastern Louisiana offense on Saturday morning, dropping a 49-30 decision at Strawberry Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
After a defensive struggle through the first 10 minutes of play, the Cardinals (0-5, 0-3 SLC) jump-started a wild first half with a 43-yard field goal from Jose Perez at the 4:55 mark of the opening frame.
 
The Lions (3-3, 3-1 SLC) immediately responded with a 99-yard kickoff return to take a 7-3 lead.
 
Nine minutes later, Perez notched his second field goal of the contest, pulling UIW within a point.
 
SLU expanded their advantage at the 7:19 mark of the second quarter when Darren Johnson found the end zone on a 31-yard scamper.
 
The Cardinals immediately punched back with a 100-yard kickoff return from speedster Desmond Hite.
 
Two minutes later, the Lions countered when Lorenzo Nunez connected with Austin Mitchell for a 26-yard touchdown reception in the back left corner of the end zone to take a 21-13 lead.
 
The back-and-forth offensive exhibition continued as UIW answered with a 9-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 44-yard touchdown pass from Sean Brophy to Phillip Baptiste.
 
With just 49 seconds remaining in the half, Mitchell got behind the Cardinals secondary again, and Nunez took advantage. The pair hooked up for a 70-yard touchdown bomb, giving SLU a 28-20 lead at the break.
 
UIW chipped away at the lead to start the third quarter when Perez connected on his third field goal of the game, a career-long 48-yarder that brought the score to 28-23.
 
Mitchell continued to torment the Cardinals secondary in the fourth quarter, breaking free for his third touchdown reception of the day, a 34-yarder that came at the 9:30 mark.
 
The Lions put the nail in the coffin when backup quarterback Byron Walker found Bransen Schwebel for a 5-yard score.
 
Derrick Mitchell found the end zone on a 1-yard rush with 4:10 remaining, but UIW was unable to climb back into the contest.
 
After the Cardinals failed to collect an onside kick attempt, SLU wasted no time urgently hustling to run up the score.
 
The Lions opened the drive with a 13-yard reception, before running a pump-and-go play for a 34-yard touchdown catch by Juwan Petit-Frere.
 
LEADERS
 
Brophy finished 22-of-39 for 180 yards, 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown. He was sacked 4 times. Ra'Quanne Dickens and Derrick Mitchell paced the UIW ground game with 71 yards and 28 yards respectively. Mitchell added a rushing touchdown. Baptiste led the Cardinals through the air with 3 receptions for 58 yards and a score.
 
Nunez went 7-of-15 for 159 and three touchdowns. Marcus Cooper and Darren Johnson spearheaded the Lions rushing attack with 148 yards and 130 yards respectively. Johnson added a rushing score. Austin Mitchell finished with 143 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day.
 
Quandre Washington led the UIW defense with 10 tackles and a sack. Mar'Kel Cook added 9 tackles on the day. Derrick Mitchell registered a blocked punt.
 
Jeff Williams II and Max Lyons paced the SLU defense with 11 and 9 tackles respectively. Lyons and Torrance Mosely each contributed an interception.
 
The Lions finished with 564 yards of offense, compared to 254 by the Cardinals. SLU was particularly dominant on the ground, outgaining UIW, 353-74.
 
NOTEABLES
 
Hite's 100-yard kickoff return in the second quarter tied a program record set by Kody Edwards against Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 31, 2015.
 
Perez' 48-yard field goal in the third quarter marked a career-long for the freshman kicker.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals return to Military City on Oct. 14 for a 6 p.m. date with in-state opponent Lamar.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads to Lake Charles for a matchup with McNeese at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21.
 
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.