FRESNO, Calif. – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will open its 2017 campaign on the road as the squad battles FBS opponent Fresno State at 9 p.m. CT on Saturday in Bulldog Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
The Cardinals hope to pick up where they left off in 2016, after finishing the year with back-to-back victories over Lamar and rival Houston Baptist. As if UIW needed any additional motivation after being picked to finish last in the 2017 Southland Conference preseason poll, Saturday's game will be played in front of a sold out crowd of 43,560.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
 
2016: 1-11 Overall, 0-8 MW
Last Game: L 16-14 vs. San Jose State (Nov. 26)
Head Coach: Tim DeRuyter
Key Offensive Players:
#5 So. QB Chason Virgil (166-322-10, 2021 YRDS, 13 TD)
#33 So. RB Josh Hokit (27-130 YRDS, 4.8 YPC)
#3 Jr. WR KeeSean Johnson (66-773 YRDS, 11.7 YPC, 6 TD)
#1 Jr. WR Jamie Jordan (45-713 YRDS, 15.8 YPC, 2 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#7 Jr. LB James Bailey (59 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 4 BU, 1 QBU, 1 FR)
#11 Jr. DB DeShawn Potts (59 TKL, 5 BU, 1 BK, 1 FR, 1.0 TFL)
#56 Sr. DE Tobenna Okeke (52 TKL, 2.5 SACKS, 2.5 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 FF)
Summary: Fresno State posted a 1-11 record last season, including an 0-8 mark in Mountain West action. The Bulldogs are currently riding a 10-game losing streak, with their last victory coming nearly a year ago on Sept. 10, 2016, against Sacramento State. Fresno State had a significant amount of turnover from last year's team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs also lost their leading rusher from 2016, Dontel James, who officially ended his career just over a week ago due to lingering leg injuries. Despite their struggles, Fresno State is optimistic heading into the 2017 campaign after hiring veteran coach Jeff Tedford to lead the program.
 
Last season the Bulldogs averaged 17.7 points and 329.3 yards of total offense. Fresno State averaged 213.1 yards through the air, led by quarterback Chason Virgil. Receivers KeeSean Johnson (773 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Jamie Jordan (713 yards, 2 touchdowns) emerge as the team's most dangerous targets. Running back Josh Hokit rushed for 130 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry in 2016.
 
Defensively Fresno State surrendered 30.9 points and 415.1 yards per game, including 167.4 passing yards and 247.7 rushing yards per game last season.
 
Linebacker James Bailey led the Bulldog defense with 59 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry and 1 fumble recovery in 2016. Defensive back DeShawn Potts registered 59 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 blocked kick, 1 fumble recovery and 1.0 tackles for loss, while defensive end Tobenna Okeke contributed 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hurries and 1 forced fumble.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2016: 3-8 Overall, 3-6 SLC
Last Game: W 28-26 vs. Houston Baptist (Nov. 17)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#15 Sr. QB Taylor Laird (23-44-2, 393 YRDS, 4 TD)
#8 So. RB Desmond Hite (42-326, 7.5 YPC, 2 TD)
#22 Sr. WR Jamari Gilbert (24-430, 17.9 YPC, 5 TD)
#5 Sr. WR Breylann McCollum (15-219, 14.6 YPC)
Key Defensive Players:
#32 Jr. CB Jamarkese Williams (71 TKL, 12 BU, 3.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1.0 SACKS)
#8 Sr. LB Quandre Washington (64 TKL, 3 FR, 2.0 TFL, 1 FF)
#38 Jr. S Tim McCoy (47 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1.0 SACKS)
Summary: The Cardinals finished their 2016 season with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW dropped seven consecutive games, before earning back-to-back victories over Lamar and rival Houston Baptist to end the year. The Cardinals lost all-time leading passer Trent Brittain and all-time leading tackler Josh Zellars to graduation, but boast a solid group of returners. With the addition of a strong recruiting class, and having recently completed the program's four-year transition to full NCAA Division I status, UIW is primed for an exciting 2017 campaign.
 
The Cardinals averaged 26.3 points and 360.4 yards of total offense last season. UIW averaged 242.5 yards through the air, with quarterback Taylor Laird seeing action in 9-of-11 games. Receivers Jamari Gilbert (430 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Breylann Edwards (219 yards, 14.6 YPC) emerge as Laird's most reliable targets. Running back Desmond Hite rushed for 326 yards and a pair of scores in 2016, and will serve as UIW's most explosive weapon.
 
Defensively the Cardinals surrendered 37.7 points and 447.4 yards per game, including 268.2 passing yards and 179.2 rushing yards per game last year.
 
Linebacker Quandre Washington leads the UIW defense. He totaled 64 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble last season. Cornerback Jamarkese Williams totaled 71 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and a sack, while safety Tim McCoy racked up 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and a sack.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Saturday will be the first meeting in program history between the Cardinals and Bulldogs. UIW is 0-2 all-time against FBS opponents and dropped a 48-17 decision at Texas State last season.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals make a return trip to California next weekend for a date with Sacramento State at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW opens Southland Conference action in week three as the squad travels to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.
 
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