SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team heads to Hammond to face Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, October 26 at Strawberry Stadium for a 6 p.m. kick. The Cardinals and Lions each remain undefeated in Southland Conference play thus far, making this match up a race for the top of the standings.

UIW

• The Cardinals lead the FCS in red zone defense for the second week in a row, holding opponents to only nine red zone scores through 19 attempts. The nine fumble recoveries are also good for third in the country.
• With 425 yards per game, UIW's offense is No. 17 in FCS for total offense.
• UIW received its highest ranking of the season, coming in at No. 10 in the Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and No. 11 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll following a 30-17 victory over McNeese last weekend.
• UIW has been active in the FCS Top 25 poll for 47-straight weeks, the fifth longest streak behind North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State.

LIONS

• Southeastern Louisiana defeated Stephen F. Austin on a game-winning touchdown last weekend, to improve to 3-0 in SLC play.
• The Lion defense is holding Southland Conference opponents to just 13 points per game whereas the Cardinals have averaged 42.5 points per game against SLC foes (Nicholls and McNeese).
• Quarterback Eli Sawyer has thrown for 1,062 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.
• Darius Lewis is the leading receiver for the Lions with 53 catches for 485 yards and two TD's.
• Antonio Martin Jr. leads SLU on the ground with 1,088 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
• KK Reno is the leading tackler for the Lions with 63 on the season, while Warren Pebbles lead the team in sacks with four.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

• The Cardinals defeated the Lions 33-26 last season at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium to give UIW the upper hand in the all-time series (6-5).
• UIW held SLU to just six points through the first half, but the Lions went on to score 20 in the second to close the gap. With a tie game on the line, the Cardinals intercepted the Lions with 43 seconds left to seal the 33-26 victory.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Zach Calzada has the fifth most passing touchdowns in the FCS, coming in at 18 so far this season, while his 1,867 passing yards is the seventh-best.
• Jalen Walthall continues to lead UIW's receiving core with 10 touchdowns, the most in the FCS. He averages 100.3 yards per game, the most in the SLC.
• Roy Alexander is the third leading receiver in the Southland Conference, averaging 72 yards per game.
• Mister Williams' 8.5 tackles for loss is second in the SLC and Devin Grant's five sacks is tied for first in the conference.
• UIW leads the conference in both kick returns and punt returns. Mason Pierce is averaging 24 KR yards, while Dekalon Taylor is averaging 17.1 PR yards and has tallied one touchdown.

 
FOLLOW ALONG    
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