SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word football upsets No. 6 Southeastern Louisiana (SLU) 55-52 to break their six-game winning streak. This win makes head coach Eric Morris the winningest coach in UIW program history and brings the Cardinals to the most wins in a single season.
 
The Cardinals take the lead in the series history, advancing to 5-4 against the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Cameron Ward played at a veteran level totaling 610 passing yards, which is the first time a Cardinal has thrown for 600+ yards in a single game. Ward had a historic night breaking the individual season record for passing yards in UIW program history, now holding 3,417 total passing yards.
 
Taylor Grimes broke the single game receiving yards ended the day with a season high of 193 receiving yards on 12 attempts. He also had a season six-yard passing touchdown.
 
Grimes, Darion Chafin, Kevin Brown, Robert Ferrrel and Cj Hardy all combined for a touchdown to secure the win against the Lions. Brown had a season long 80-yard receiving touchdown.
 
Kaleb Culp led the Cardinal defense with a season high 14 total tackles. Kelechi Anyalebechi followed closing behind with 11 total tackles. Anyalebechi, Terrel Lucas and Brandon Bowen all registered a sack against SLU's quarterback, Cole Kelly.
 
The Cardinals came out a little shaky, turning the ball over on the first play of the game. However, the defense answered right back bring a fourth down field goal that the Lions could not capitalize on. The Cardinals got on the board first in the first quarter when Ward completed a pass to Grimes for a 16-yard UIW touchdown. The Lions ended the first quarter with a 4-yard rush from Kelly to tie the game heading into the second quarter.
 
UIW and SLU combined for five touchdowns in the second quarter. UIW came out strong with a quick touchdown when Ward found Chafin for a 31-yard touchdown to take the lead. The Cardinal defense then held the Lions to a field goal keeping the lead. UIW then pulled a surprise play when Grimes took the ball and completed a pass to Chafin for a 6-yard touchdown. SLU turned right back around to register another touchdown in the first half. However, the Cardinals ended the quarter with a touchdown to keep the 28-17 lead heading into the half.
 
The third quarter was another five-touchdown quarter. SLU registered the first touchdown of the second half to cut the lead to 28-24. Ward then found Grimes again for a 25-yard completion for a UIW touchdown. SLU's Kelly then found Austin Mitchell for a 49-yard completion for a Lion touchdown. UIW then went on a five-drive play for 73 yards consisting of a 37-yard completion from Ward to Hardy for a UIW touchdown. SLU ended the third quarter with a touchdown to cut the lead to 42-38.
 
SLU started the final quarter of the game with a rushing touchdown to take the lead 44-42. With four minutes left in the game, Ward finds Brown for a season long 80-yard completion to regain the lead. SLU quickly ran down field, completing a 4-yard rush to take the lead once more with 1:55 left in the game. Ward led the Cardinals in the final drive of the game keeping his composure to find Ferrel for a 24-yard completion to give the Cardinals the lead 55-52 with 25 second left in the game. SLU was able to come within field goal range however the attempt was no good.
 
The Cardinals defeat the Lions, giving them their first Southland Conference loss of the season and break their six-game winning streak. UIW improves to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in Southland Conference play. SLU and UIW are now tied for first in conference both being 5-1.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals travel to Thibodaux, Louisiana to face Nicholls on Saturday, November 13 at 3 p.m. in an ESPN+ televised game. This will be the second time these two programs face each other this season. In the last meeting, the Cardinals defeated the Colonels 38-21 at Benson Stadium.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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