SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team opens its 2023 season with a matchup against the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) this Saturday, September 2 at 8 p.m. CT at the Sun Bowl.
LIVE UPDATES
UIW
- UIW starts the season ranked seventh in the FCS Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
- The Cardinals were picked to finish second in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll behind Southeastern Louisiana. UIW looks to win its third straight SLC Championship.
- UIW placed four student-athletes - Steven Parker, Brandon Porter, Brandon Richard, and Stanley Mark – to the SLC First-Team Preseason All-Conference and three student-athletes - CJ Hardy, Marcus Brown, and Dekalon Taylor -to the Second-Team Preseason All-Conference.
SCOUTING THE MINERS
- UTEP was picked to finish sixth in Conference USA
- The Miners started the season with a close loss to a conference opponent Jax State, 17-14.
- Senior QB Gavin Hardison completed 17 passes for 208 yards.
- Tyrice Knight led the team with 13 tackles, giving him 13 double-digit tackle performances in his career. Linebacker James Neal in his first start tallied 10 stops.
- Praise Amaewhule recorded one sack, four tackles, and a QB hurry.
LAST TIME THEY MET
- The Cardinals and Miners have only played once before. In 2015 UIW fell to UTEP 27-17 in the Sun Bowl for the first FBS game in UIW football history.
UIW PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Zach Calzada is coming to the Cardinals from Texas A&M and Auburn. Calzada played in 12 games with 10 starts in his last season as an Aggie. He had a career day in the win over No. 1 Alabama, completing 21-of-31 passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns, which earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
- Brandon Richard and Steven Parker are key returners on the defensive side of the ball. Richard played in 14 games for UIW last season, finishing with 79 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also had three interceptions and 15 pass break-ups. Parker played in all 14 games, totaling 48 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.
- Brandon Porter appeared in the first 11 games for the Cardinals. He accumulated 37 receptions for 601 yards and six touchdowns.
- In the offseason, Head Coach Killough was quick to build his staff and get on the recruiting trail. For the 2023 season, the Cardinals have added 30-plus transfer student-athletes, including 19 from FBS schools.
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.
--UIW CARDINALS--
