RENO, Nevada – The University of the Incarnate Word football team, ranked No. 8 in the FCS polls, didn't let two early turnovers, or smoke from the nearby wildfires, slow down the momentum against the University of Nevada, Reno on Saturday night at Mackay Stadium. As the Cardinals' nerves calmed down, UIW went on to take as much as a 21-point lead during the 55-41 victory over the Wolf Pack. This win marks UIW football's second FBS win in two years.
 
Lindsey Scott Jr. and Darion Chafin each notched career-highs. Scott went 18-25 throwing 406 yards for four touchdowns and Chafin finished the night with seven catches for 262 yards. Chafin claimed the number one spot in the UIW record book for most receiving yards in a game and the second-highest single-game record yard total in Southland Conference history. He is now the career leader in pass reception touchdowns with 18.

Chris Whittaker broke the single-game record for sacks with four and Kelechi Anyalebechi broke the longest fumble return record with 54 yards. 
 
Nevada recovered a fumble at UIW's 31-yard line to start the game, but the Cardinal defense held the Wolf Pack to a 34-yard field goal (3-0). Nevada then got the ball back following an interception at UIW's 35-yard line that led to a touchdown, handing the Wolf Pack a 10-0 advantage.
 
Kaleb Culp forced a fumble on Nevada's Jamaal Bell as Isaiah Paul recovered the ball and returned it to the 42-yard line. Carson Mohr completed a 38-yard field goal to put the Cardinals on the board with just under six minutes left in the first quarter (10-3).
 
A Nevada touchdown put the Wolf Pack up 17-3 before Scott found Chafin for 40-yards to put UIW on the 35-yard line. Jarrell Wiley and Scott pushed the Cardinals closer to the end zone, but Marcus Cooper secured the touchdown to cut the lead to 17-9 to end the first.
 
Tah Mac Bright and Royce Wellington brought down Nevada's quarterback on the Wolf Pack's fourth down to get UIW the ball back in the second quarter.  Scott once again located Chafin as he broke out for 77 yards to the one-yard line. Scott found Roger McCuller in the end zone, then Mohr completed the PAT to bring the Cardinals within one (17-16).
 
With just over three minutes to go in the first half, Willey bullied his way into the end zone from the one-yard line, then Scott converted for two as UIW took its first lead of the game (24-17).
 
UIW carried the momentum into the third quarter. Linebacker Anyalebechi picked up a forced fumble by Whittaker and took it all the way home for his first touchdown of the season (31-17). Then, with just under ten minutes to go in the quarter, Scott found Chafin for a 44-yard touchdown, lifting the Cardinals to a 38-17 lead, their largest of the game.
 
Nevada added fourteen points to the board late in the third to come within seven (38-31) heading into the fourth quarter.
 
UIW struck first in the fourth as Mohr completed a 30-yard field goal to extend the lead to ten (41-31). Nevada answered with a field goal of its own, bringing the score to 41-34 with ten minutes to go in the game.
 
Cooper picked up his second touchdown of the night, then Nevada scored with two minutes left in the game. Chafin added another touchdown and the Cardinal defense remained strong as UIW defeated Nevada 55-41.
 
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