SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team is set to open the Spring 2021 season at home against Sam Houston State on Saturday at 2 p.m. (CT) in Benson Stadium.
IN THE TRENCHES
SCOUTING UIW
- UIW head coach Eric Morris has been at the helm of the Cardinals for the last two seasons.
- In his first season (2018), the Cardinals won six games (tying a program record for single season wins), securing a share of the Southland Conference Championship and the program's first berth in the FCS Playoffs.
- During the 2019 season, UIW won five games, including two over top-25 ranked opponents. The 11 wins under Morris mark the best two-year stretch in UIW's 11-year history.
- Throughout the past two years, the Cardinals have entered the top five in the UIW record book in multiple categories, including touchdowns scored. The team is excited to continue that trend of working together to score touchdowns and cement themselves in program history.
- UIW had a young defense in 2019, and the team is excited to see how they have grown, matured and developed both individually and, more importantly, as a team.
- In 2019, UIW started to capitalize on returns towards the end of the season, with Ce'Cori Tolds scoring two touchdowns on kick returns in the final two games. The special teams unit hopes to carry that momentum into this season.
SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON
- Sam Houston was picked to finish second in the 2020 Southland Conference Preseason Poll, receiving six first place votes. SHSU went 7-5 overall, 6-3 in league play during the 2019 season.
- Prior to the fall season postponement, three Bearkats earned Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America nods: defensive lineman Trace Mascorro (first team), punter Matt McRobert (first team), and offensive lineman Colby Thomas (third team). All three were first team all-conference at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
- The Bearkats lead the all-time series 7-1 against the Cardinals since their first meeting back on Sept. 8, 2012.
- SHSU's stout defense during the 2019 campaign led the FCS in rushing defense, averaging 69.9 yards per game.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up to date information on UIW Athletics, visit
uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter
@UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. Follow UIW football on Twitter
@uiwfootball and on Instagram
@uiw_football.
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
**The schedule is subject to change. UIW Athletics will continue monitoring the ongoing situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic and will follow the Southland Conference, NCAA, and CDC guidelines and recommendations as they develop and change. We will continue to notify our Athletic community as information is updated.
