SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word hosted Prairie View A&M University Saturday evening for the home opener of the 2021 season. The Cardinals defeated the Panthers 40-9 in an exciting matchup.
 
Kelechi Anyalebechi led the team with 11 tackles followed by Brandon Bowen's seven total tackles. Kaleb Culp collected one sack. Cameron Ward completed 208 passing yards. Kevin Brown led the team in rushing yards with 51, followed by Marcus Cooper with 47. Taylor Grimes, CJ Hardy, Roger McCuller and Brown all tallied a touchdown in tonight's matchup.
 
In the first quarter the Cardinals rushed for 42 total yards. Ward completed a pass to Hardy for the first touchdown of night. John Scifers then completed a 49-yard field goal. In the next scoring drive Cooper rushed for 16 yards for another touchdown putting the Cardinals up 17-0 heading into the second quarter.
 
The second quarter continued the offensive run with 31 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards. Brown started the quarter off by rushing for eight yards into the end zone. Ward later completed a second pass to McCuller for nine yards for another touchdown putting the Cardinals up 30-0 heading into the half.
 
The Cardinals started the second half strong, continuing to add points to the score board. Ward completed a pass to Grimes for eight yards resulting in another touchdown. Scifer concluded the quarter with a 45-yard field goal putting the Cardinals up 40-0 heading into the final quarter of the game.
 
In the fourth quarter, Kevin Yeager entered the game and threw for nine complete yards. However, the Panthers were able to get through the Cardinal defense and add nine points to the board. The game concluded in a 40-9 Cardinal defeat over the Panthers.
 
The Cardinals hosted the first game of the season with 2,517 Cardinal fans. It was a great atmosphere followed by a great home opener.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals travel to San Marcos to face Texas State University on Saturday, September 18. The last time the Bobcats and Cardinals matched up on October 1, 2016, when the Cardinals fell 48-17.
 
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 the team on Twitter @UIWFootball and on Instagram @uiw_football.