HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- The University of the Incarnate Word football team fell, 45-6, to Sam Houston State on Saturday night at Bowers Stadium in its Southland Conference opener.

The Cardinals (1-2, 0-1) were led by Jon Copeland, who went 23-for-47 with 257 passing yards and 52 rushing yards. Kam Williams recorded 6 receptions for 118 yards.

Defensively, UIW maintained its turnover streak when Gerald Bowie III snatched an interception in the third quarter. This marks 15 consecutive contests where the Cardinals have forced a turnover.

Sam Houston State took the first lead with 10:42 left in the first quarter, scoring on a 64-yard pass from Eric Schmid to Dee Bowens. The Bearkats added a touchdown when Schmid found Nathan Stewart for a 49-yard pass as time expired in the first quarter, making their advantage 14-0.

SHSU extended its advantage in the second quarter when Schmid found Stewart in the end zone again, this time for a 20-yard score and a 21-0 lead with 9:00 left before the break. The Bearkats then used a 22-yard field goal with 3:03 left before the break to go up 24-0.

Schmid and Stewart connected again for a 32-yard touchdown with 57 seconds remaining, giving the Bearkats a 31-0 at the half.

Sam Houston added another score with 3:50 left in the third quarter when Schmid found Ife Adeyi for an 80-yard touchdown. Then, a one-yard rush by Donovan Williams with 11:29 left made it 45-0 for the Bearkats.
 

UIW refused to go without a fight. The Cardinals pushed toward the end zone, with 2:38 left in the game, Kaleb Drucos rushed for one yard for the sole UIW touchdown. Carson Mohr missed the extra point for 45-6 Bearkat win. 
 

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