HAMMOND, La. – The Cardinal defense paced the game, ending the night with two touchdowns and two interceptions to fuel the tight 34-31 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday Night. The University of the Incarnate Word led the entire game with the Lions on its heels as the game came down to a 58-yard SLU field goal that barely missed left as the clock ran out.

Jalen Walthall did what he does best, starting off the game with a 41-yard touchdown from Zach Calzada for the 7-0 start early in the first quarter.

The Cardinal defense gave up 25 yards on pass interference and holding penalties on the ensuring drive as the Lions inched closer to red zone territory. SLU rushed down the middle, breaking out for 16 yards before getting stopped short by the UIW defense, forcing the Lions to settle for a 23-yard field goal to bring the score to 7-3.

UIW once again held the Lions to a field goal, this time, a 46-yard FG in the second to bring it to a one-point game (7-6).

Following a touchback, the Cardinals went on a 9-minute drive slowly moving up the field until Logan Compton broke out for 39-yards on a trick play, hurdling his defender just three yards short of a score. Dekalon Taylor walked into the end zone to finish the job for the 13-6 lead after a blocked PAT.

The Cardinal defense continued to stay on their toes as just seconds later, the ball slipped out of the hands of the Lion quarterback on the second snap, resulting in a defensive touchdown from Marcus Brown on the scoop n' score (20-6).

SLU drove down the field and scored in a crowded end zone with seconds left in the first half to close the deficit to one touchdown and a 20-13 halftime score.

The Lions nailed their third field goal of the game midway through the third for the first points of the second half from either team as SLU crept up on the 20-16 Cardinal lead.

Only a yard away from a first down, the Cardinal defense pushed the Lions off the field and UIW's offense carried that momentum to a quick 36-yard touchdown from Roy Alexander as he dodged the Lions on his heels (27-16).

SLU immediately answered, returning the kickoff for 94 yards to the house as the Lions and Cardinals once again found themselves within four points of each other with the score at 27-23.

The second Cardinal defensive touchdown of the night separated UIW from SLU following a 50-yard pick six from Mason Chambers and a 34-23 lead thirty seconds into the final quarter.

Just under five minutes left in the game, the Lions bullied their way into the end zone and converted for two, cutting the deficit to 34-31.

The Lion defense put the game on their back sending UIW's offense back to the sideline with three minutes to go and the ball on the 40-yard line. A critical interception from Chris Pierce halted the Lions and gave the control back to the Cardinals with two minutes left.

SLU was able to get the ball back and fought to get in field goal range, going for the 58-yard FG and just barely missing as the entire stadium was on their feet and UIW walked away with the 34-31 victory.

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