HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team had no answers for the high-powered offense of No. 5 Sam Houston on Saturday, falling 57-20 to the defending Southland Conference champion at Bowers Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Bearkats (8-1, 6-1 SLC) put their explosive offense to work early with a 4-play, 87-yard drive that lasted just 53 seconds.
 
The Cardinals (1-8, 1-6 SLC) didn't do themselves any favors on their first offensive possession, going three-and-out and losing nine yards, before a bad snap resulted in a safety.
 
Sam Houston's second drive took longer than its first, but only by five seconds. The Bearkats drove 64 yards in 58 seconds for their second touchdown of the afternoon, to take a 16-0 lead.
 
With 2:03 remaining in the first quarter, Sam Houston extended its advantage when Jeremiah Briscoe connected with Yedidiah Louis for a score.
 
UIW put its first points on the board less than a minute later, when Taylor Laird hit Zaire Andre for a 54-yard touchdown strike.
 
The Bearkats added a field goal at the 11:05 mark of the second quarter, before a Corey Avery rushing score put Sam Houston ahead, 33-7.
 
Darrius Montgomery gave the Cardinals a spark with 2:55 remaining in the half, when his fourth punt block of the season resulted in a touchdown for Dax Eisinger.
 
The Bearkats chipped in a field goal with 20 seconds on the clock to take a 36-14 lead into the locker room.
 
Sam Houston racked up 340 offensive yards in the first 30 minutes of action, compared to 67 by UIW. The Bearkats totaled 257 passing yards and 83 rushing yards, while the Cardinals netted just 94 yards through the air and -27 on the ground. Sam Houston had 18 first-half first downs, compared to 5 by UIW.
 
The third quarter was more of the same as the Bearkats added touchdowns of 69, 21 and 12 yards to take a stranglehold on the ballgame at 57-14.
 
Laird connected with Phillip Baptiste for a 63-yard score in the fourth, but game was long out of reach.
 
Sam Houston finished with 600 total yards, compared to 254 by the Cardinals. The Bearkats had 399 passing yards and 201 rushing yards, while UIW grossed 226 yards through the air and just 28 on the ground. Sam Houston totaled 31 first downs, while the Cardinals earned 10. UIW was 3-for-16 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth. The Bearkats scored on all five of their red zone opportunities against the Cardinals.
 
LEADERS
 
Laird finished 10-of-30 for 226 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked once. Derrick Mitchell led UIW with 54 rushing yards, while Baptiste paced the Cardinals receiving core with 108 yards through the air and a score.
 
Briscoe went 27-of-43 for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was sacked once. Avery led Sam Houston on the ground with 53 yards and 3 scores. Louis finished with 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Davion Davis added 134 yards and a score.
 
Mar'kel Cooks and Juwan Jiles spearheaded the UIW defense with 14 and 11 tackles respectively. Cooks had 1.5 tackles for loss.
 
Josh Price and Erick Fowler tallied 8 and 6 tackles apiece, while Royce See registered an interception.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals host No. 4 Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 for Military Appreciation Day. Admission is free to all military members and their families.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW will close out the season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 against Prairie View A&M at Benson Stadium.
 
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.