HOUSTON -- University of the Incarnate Word head football coach
Eric Morris and two of his most talented players, Jerry Rice Award winning quarterback
Cameron Ward and lockdown pass defender
Elliott Davison, expressed their aspirations for the 2021 fall season to reporters and a nation-wide ESPN audience on Thursday during Southland Conference Media Day.
For Morris it was more than an aspiration. It was a mandate.
"Our motto this year is Finish," Morris stated demonstratively.
"During each of the last two seasons, we were leading the conference midway through the schedule but had a sharp fall off at the end. As coaches, we've worked to define the problem and find a solution for it. Offensively, we've been explosive at times, but at other times we didn't play well enough (on offense) to help the defense. You'll see us mount a more balanced attack this year."
The Cardinals started the spring 2021 season with a 3-0 record but fell in their last three games of the schedule. UIW returns 24 starters for the fall season, 10 on each side of the ball and four special team members.
Referring to Ward, Morris said: "We have a great sophomore quarterback whom we trust with the ball."
Ward, who continues a tradition in the Morris era – a true freshman starting quarterback – came to UIW from West Columbia, Texas where he threw for more than 1,000 yards in each of his junior and senior seasons. He did so in a triple-option offense, a scheme that is not known for spawning prolific passing attacks. During his first year under the tutelage of coach Morris, the air marshal of the Air Raid, he:
- Won the Jerry Rice award, presented annually to the best freshman player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
- Achieved HERO Sports Freshman All-America status.
- Set a new UIW regular-season record for touchdown passes, 24, achieved in an abbreviated six-game season.
- Broke a team record for touchdown passes thrown in in a single game, which he achieved twice -- in consecutive victories over Southeastern and Nicholls.
- Finished second nationally in passing yardage (2,260), pass completions (183) and total touchdowns (26).
- Finished third nationally in passing yards per game: 376.7.
- Set a UIW record for passing efficiency: 146.5, having thrown only four interceptions.
With such a sterling report card from his freshman year and the unquestioning trust of his head coach, a reasonable fan could expect a young quarterback to be satisfied.
Ward is not satisfied.
"I've still got a chip on my shoulder," Ward told a national TV audience Thursday. "Each Saturday I still have something to prove. Coming out of high school, I wasn't highly recruited. I had no other scholarship offers, but coach Morris took a chance on me. I want to prove that he made the best decision."
Another young second-season star has something to prove -- that the Cardinal defense has exorcised its late-season demons and is destined to "Finish" this year.
Davison came to UIW from Flint, Texas via Tyler Lee High School. In five games last spring, he registered 31 tackles, 21 of which were unassisted. He picked off his first collegiate pass against Lamar on March 6 and had three pass breakups for the season — winning a place on the Southland All-Conference third team.
"This year I want to double the tackles that I had last year, make at least five interceptions and finish the season by earning a conference championship ring," said Davison.
The Cardinals, who won the Southland Conference championship during Morris' first year as head coach in 2018, open the new season with an ESPN-televised Thursday night game at Youngstown State on Sept. 2. Kickoff time is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
UIW reports to fall training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and workouts begin the next day.
Season ticket sales continue. Go to
uiw.universitytickets.com or call 210-805-3012. Season tickets start at $115.
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