FRISCO, Texas -- The University of the Incarnate Word football team was selected to finish third in the 2019 Southland Conference Football Preseason Poll -- as voted on by conference coaches -- the league office announced Thursday. The Cardinals had one of the best turnarounds in college football in 2018, going from a 1-10 record (2017) to a 6-5 mark with a conference championship and berth in the FCS Playoffs.
 
2018 HIGHLIGHTS

• The Cardinals' high-powered offensive philosophy led to QB Jon Copeland being named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, a first in school history.
• Following the turnaround, Morris was named the 2018 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Regional Coach of the Year, the 2018 Southland Conference Coach of the Year, and an Eddie Robinson Award finalist (bestowed upon the STATS FCS national coach of the year).
• Morris was also named the 2018 San Antonio-Express News Sportsman of the Year on Jan. 1, 2019.
• Copeland threw for over 400 yards in two consecutive games (vs. SLU and at Lamar), and finished the season with five games of over 300 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback in program history to throw for 300 yards in four or more games in a single season. Copeland broke the program record for single-game passing yards with 515 against Lamar.
• The offense featured two 200+ yard rushing performances from Dickens in 2018: 213 yards at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10); 220 yards vs. SFA (Sept. 15). Dickens would go on to set multiple single season records through the 2018 season.
• After 11 weeks (the conclusion of UIW's regular season), the Cardinals led the FCS with 29 turnovers gained.
• The Cardinals recorded at least one turnover in every game played this season (playoffs included) for the first time in program history.
• The turnover streak now sits at 12 consecutive games.
• The defensive highlight of the season came against Sam Houston State on Nov. 3, when UIW forced a program-record seven turnovers.

 
On July 11, five student-athletes -- Brandon Floores (first team), Terence Hickman II (first team), Copeland (second team), Uzoma Okere (second team) and David Balcomb (second team) -- were selected for the 2019 Southland Football Preseason All-Conference teams.
 
The Cardinals kick off the 2019 season against crosstown rival UTSA on Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (CT) at the Alamodome. UIW begins conference action on Sept. 21 at Sam Houston State. Kickoff against SHSU is TBD.

2019 Southland Conference Football Preseason Poll

1. Nicholls (20)	200
2. Central Arkansas	154
3. UIW (1)	150
4. Sam Houston State	146
5. Lamar	123
6. McNeese	114
7. Abilene Christian (1)	112
8. Southeastern Louisiana	71
9. Stephen F. Austin	63
10. Northwestern State	56
11.  Houston Baptist	21

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