SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team ended regular season play with a 45-24 victory over Houston Christian University on Saturday night. The Cardinals finished the season 8-2 overall and 6-1 in Southland Conference play. Sitting at No. 11/20 earlier this week, UIW awaits playoff fate with the 2023 FCS Championships selection show airing on Sunday, November 18 at 11:30 a.m. CT.
 
Quarterback Zach Calzada and wide receiver Caleb Chapman had themselves a night. Calzada threw for 407 yards and four touchdowns while Chapman hauled in 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Jarrell Wiley and Isaiah Robinson each reached the end zone for the Cardinals with Wiley nearing 100 yards on the night. Brandon Richard and Mason Chambers each finished with eight tackles apiece.
 
Calzada found Chapman from the start of the game, hauling a 53-yard pass into the red zone before Robinson rushed four yards to put UIW on the board just five minutes in (7-0).
 
The Cardinals quickly regained possession after Ronald Wilson snagged his fourth interception of the season. He put the Cardinals in scoring position, however a missed field goal by UIW left the score at 7-0 until Calzada once more found Chapman, this time, for a 6-yard pass down the middle and a 14-0 lead.
 
The Calzada and Chapman duo connected in the second with a 20-yard touchdown pass to claim a 21-0 advantage for the Cardinals.
 
HCU got on the board with five minutes to go in the half to cut the lead to 21-7, but a 51-yard field goal from Mason Lawler extended the lead once more as UIW claimed a 24-7 lead at the half. Lawler's field goal tied the record for the longest field goal in program history.
 
Richard and the Cardinal defense stopped the Huskies in their tracks on the 10-yard line as HCU settled for a field goal to bring the score to 24-10.
 
CJ Hardy ended the third quarter escaping the Husky defense and tip-toeing down the Cardinals sideline for another UIW touchdown (31-10).
 
Chapman added to his impressive night, scoring his third touchdown from Calzada, on a 64-yard reception, taking it to the house (38-10).
 
Shortly after, Jaelin Campbell put the Cardinals at the edge of the end zone with a 35-yard catch before Jarrell Wiley walked into the end zone extending the lead once more to 45-10.
 
HCU scored two more touchdowns in the fourth but could not come back from the deficit, losing to the Cardinals 45-24.
 
FOLLOW ALONG  
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on, and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.    
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWFootball and Instagram @uiw_football.