SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team was selected to host Stephen F. Austin for the NCAA FCS First Round on Saturday, November 27 at 2 p.m. CT. This is a historic year for the Cardinals as they were the Southland Conference outright champions, were the league's automatic qualifier, and are set to host the first round of the playoffs, all for the first time in program history.
UIW enters game one with a 9-2 overall record and a 7-1 record in the Southland Conference. The Cardinals are also undefeated at Benson Stadium this season. The Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin lead the series history between the two programs, 5-1.
FOLLOW THE GAME
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
- The two programs last faced each other on Nov. 9, 2019, when SFA was a member of the Southland Conference.
- UIW fell to SFA, 31-24, in Nacogdoches, Texas. The Cardinals last defeated the Lumberjacks, 31-7, in Benson Stadium in 2018. That year, the Cardinals were co-champions of the SLC.
- In 2019, UIW amassed 414 yards of total offense (80 rushing yards and 349 passing yards), while SFA had 323 yards of total offense (185 rushing yards and 201 passing yards).
UIW
- This is the first playoff game UIW will host in program history.
- Head coach Eric Morris is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award for National Coach of the Year. Morris has been named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year.
- Quarterback Cameron Ward is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and has been named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
- Kelechi Anyalebechi is a finalist for National Defensive Player of the Year.
- Taylor Grimes has been named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year.
- The Cardinals are undefeated at Benson Stadium so far this season.
SFA
- SFA is coming into Saturday's matchup following a 42-6 win against Lamar University on Nov. 20.
- The Lumberjacks are 3-2 in away games this season.
- SFA is led by Trae Self, who has 2,958 passing yards this season.
UIW PLAYERS TO WATCH
- This is Cameron Ward's first contest against the Lumberjacks. The sophomore quarterback has broken UIW records for the most passing touchdowns in a single game (seven) and most passing yards in a single game (610). After only 13 career starts, Ward broke the UIW program record for most career passing touchdowns. Through 17 games in red and black, Ward has 62 passing touchdowns, with 38 in the Fall 2021 season alone.
- Ward was also named the Week 10 FCS National Player of the Week.
- Kevin Brown has 848 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns this season. Brown also had a season-long 85-yard rushing touchdown against Nicholls.
- Marcus Cooper follows Brown with 505 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
- Taylor Grimes leads the Cardinals in receiving yards. He has 850 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Grimes has broken the UIW program record for most receiving yards in a game (193), most receptions in a game (12), and most receiving touchdowns in a game (four).
- Robert Ferrel has amassed 660 receiving yards with seven touchdowns this season.
- Anyalebechi, who broke the UIW program record for most tackles in a single season against HBU on Nov. 20, has 112 tackles, six TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and four forced fumbles.
- Rashon Davis leads the Southland Conference in passes defended this season, with 12 pass-breakups and three interceptions. Davis also has 42 total tackles on the season.
- Kaleb Culp ranks second for UIW in most tackles this season. Culp has 92 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack, one interception, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
FOLLOW ALONG
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--UIW CARDINALS--
