HOUSTON – The University of the Incarnate Word football team secured the 2021 Southland Conference Champion title after defeating the Huskies of Houston Baptist University, 55-14, on Saturday afternoon. This is the second time in program history the Cardinals have been named Southland Conference champions, but it is the first time the program has captured the outright title. UIW is also the Southland Conference's automatic qualifier for the FCS Playoffs.
"I can't express how proud I am of this team and coaching staff," said head coach Eric Morris. "We had a goal since the end of last season, and that was to finish, and we did just that. We are Conference Champs, but we are going to keep chopping wood because we are not done yet."
Kelechi Anyalebechi broke the UIW program record for most tackles in a single season against HBU. He has 112 tackles for Fall 2021 so far. Cameron Ward registered another 300-plus yard passing game with 314 yards against the Huskies. This was Ward's 10th game passing for more than 300 yards this season.
"All thanks to God, this team and this program led us to this win," said Anyalebechi, "These are my brothers, and we are ready for the next one."
"It's just a blessing to get to this point as a team, all the hard work we put in during the summer is paying off," said UIW quarterback, Ward.
The Cardinals came out strong, setting a UIW Division I program record by scoring 35 points in the first quarter. Kaleb Culp started the game hot, snagging an interception three plays in to give UIW a short field, while Kevin Brown put the Cardinals on the board with a two-yard score with 11:56 left in the first quarter. On the first play of the next drive, Moses Reynolds grabbed a pick-six, returning the interception 26 yards as UIW went ahead, 14-0. Ward found CJ Hardy for a 25-yard score, Marcus Cooper used a four-yard TD run and Ward hit Darion Chafin in the end zone as the Cardinals took a 35-0 advantage into the second frame.
HBU scored its only two touchdowns of the game in the second quarter. UIW refused to let the Huskies back in the game, though and added another score before the break when Ward connected with Chafin again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown that put UIW up, 42-14, heading into the half.
UIW kept its foot on the gas in the second half, scoring with 9:53 left in the third frame as Brown rushed for his second TD of the game, extending the advantage to 49-14. Carson Mohr added two field goals, a 42-yarder, and a 21-yarder, to clinch UIW's 55-14 victory and the Southland Conference title.
The Cardinals now look toward the first round of the FCS Playoffs. UIW football will hold a Selection Sunday watch party for the team tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to find out their host site and opponent for the playoffs. Fans can watch the selection show on ESPNU.
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