NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will look to put its nonconference schedule in the rearview mirror as the squad enters Southland Conference play at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin.
OPENING KICK
The Cardinals (0-2) will welcome an opportunity to play in their home state of Texas after traveling more than 6,500 miles over the first two weeks of the 2017 season. UIW dropped a 66-0 decision to FBS opponent Fresno State in week one, before a return trip to California for a 56-22 defeat at Sacramento State in week two.
Saturday's contest will be the second consecutive game for Lumberjacks (0-2) on their home field at Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA suffered a 58-14 loss at the hands of FBS opponent SMU in Dallas, before a 51-14 home-opening loss to Southern Utah in Nacogdoches.
HOW TO WATCH
Cardinal fans can watch all of Saturday's action on
ESPN3 and the
WatchESPN App.
HOW TO LISTEN
UIW fans can listen to the game, broadcast by Chris Reyes and Jaime Valdes, by visiting
KUIW.org.
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS
2017: 0-2 Overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 51-14 vs. Southern Utah (Sept. 9)
Head Coach: Clint Conque
Key Offensive Players:
#12 Jr. QB Foster Sawyer (24-41-1, 227 YRDS, 1 TD)
#32 So. RB Jamall Shaw (17-70 YRDS, 3.8 YPC, 1 TD)
#7 Sr. RB Kijana Amous (17-64 YRDS, 3.4 YPC, 1 TD)
#80 So. WR Tamrick Pace (12-116 YRDS, 9.7 YPC, 1 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#33 So. S Alize Ward (21 TKL, 3 BU, 0.5 TFL)
#54 So. LB Spencer Choka (17 TKL, 2.5 TFL)
#8 Sr. CB Trent Perriman (15 TKL, 4 BU, 2.0 TFL, 1 FF)
Summary: Stephen F. Austin posted a 5-6 record last season, including a 4-5 mark in Southland Conference action. The Lumberjacks are 0-2 in 2017 and coming off of a 51-14 home-opening loss to Southern Utah on Sept. 9.
SFA averages 14 points and 236.5 yards of total offense. The Lumberjacks average 180.5 yards through the air, led by quarterback Foster Sawyer (227 yards, 1 touchdown). Running backs Jamall Shaw (70 yards, 3.8 yards per carry) and Kijana Amous (70 yards and 3.4 yards per carry) spearhead the SFA ground game. Receiver Tamrick Pace emerges as Sawyer's favorite target with 12 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks surrender 54.5 points and 549 yards per game, including 320 passing yards and 229 yards on the ground.
Safety Alize Ward leads the SFA defense with 21 tackles, 3 pass breakups and 0.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker Spencer Choka has 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, while cornerback Trent Perriman has racked up 15 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017: 0-2 Overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 56-22 at Sacramento State (Sept. 9)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#3 So. QB
Sean Brophy (32-59-4, 296 YRDS, 1 TD)
#1 So. RB
Desmond Hite (34-109, 2.7 YPC)
#22 Sr. WR
Jamari Gilbert (9-98 YRDS, 10.9 YPC)
#11 Jr. WR
Zaire Andre (7-96 YRDS, 13.7 YPC)
Key Defensive Players:
#25 Jr. CB
Jamarkese Williams (14 TKL, 1 BU, 1.0 TFL)
#8 Sr. LB
Quandre Washington (11 TKL, 1 FR)
#55 Jr. DE
Darrius Montgomery (6 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 BK)
Summary: The Cardinals finished their 2016 campaign with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is coming off of a 56-22 defeat at Sacramento State on Saturday.
The Cardinals average 11 points and 215.5 yards of total offense. UIW averages 193 yards through the air, led by quarterback
Sean Brophy (296 yards, 1 touchdown). Receivers
Jamari Gilbert (9 receptions, 98 yards) and
Zaire Andre (7 receptions, 96 yards) emerge as Brophy's most reliable targets. Running back
Desmond Hite paces the UIW rushing attack with 109 yards on 34 carries.
Defensively, the Cardinals surrender 61 points and 574 yards per game, including 395 passing yards and 178.5 rushing yards.
Cornerback
Jamarkese Williams leads the UIW defense with 14 tackles, 1 pass breakup and 1.0 tackles for loss. Linebacker
Quandre Washington has contributed 11 tackles and 1 fumble recovery, while defensive end
Darrius Montgomery has tallied 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 blocked punt.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lumberjacks hold a 3-0 advantage in the all- time series against the Cardinals. SFA picked up a 42-19 victory when the teams last met on Oct. 29, 2016 at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.
UP NEXT
After a bye week, UIW's home-opener will come in week five at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30, as the Cardinals welcome rival Abilene Christian for Fan Appreciation Day.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals travel to Hammond for a 4 p.m. battle with Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 7.
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.
