SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team continues Southland Conference play, hosting Houston Christian University for homecoming, sponsored by Frost Bank. The Cardinals and Huskies are set to face off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 2.

UIW

• The Cardinals continue to rise in the FCS rankings, coming in at No. 9 in the Stats Perform Top 25 poll and No. 10 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. This is the highest ranking the Cardinals have seen this season.
• The Division I Football Championship Committee released its Top 10 FCS team on Wednesday, predicting the Cardinals as the No. 9 seed. The Cardinals await the FCS Football selection show on November 24 with hopes to secure a top eight seed and a first-round bye.
• After Saturday's 34-31 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, UIW claimed the top spot in the current Southland Conference standings. Stats Perform named the Cardinals the FCS National Team of the Week.
• The Cardinals are 5-0 at Gayle and Tom Benson stadium this season, holding a 10-1 home record over the last two seasons.
• Fourteen FCS programs have been ranked in every Top 25 poll this season, including UIW as the sole Southland Conference representative. The Cardinals have been active in the rankings for 48-straight weeks, the fifth longest streak behind North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State.
• For the third straight week, UIW maintains its title as the best red-zone defense in the FCS, holding opponents to just 13 scores through 23 attempts. The Cardinal defense is also tied for second in the FCS with four defensive touchdowns.

HUSKIES

• Houston Christian is 3-5 overall and 1-2 in Southland Conference play. The Huskies picked up a 43-22 victory over then ranked, No. 22 McNeese whom the Cardinals defeated 30-17 two weeks ago.
• Darryle Evans is the Huskies leading rusher, averaging 47 yards per game. He's totaled 381 yards and three touchdowns.
• Eli Brickhandler and Cutter Steward split time behind center for HCU. Brickhandler is 38-77-2 for 79 yards per game, while Cutter is 39-88-4 with 64 yards per game.
• Deuce McMillian is the leading receiver with 300 yards on the season and three touchdowns to average 37 yards per contest.
• D.J. Harris has 59 total tackles to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four QBH.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

• UIW has won all nine of the matchups between the Huskies and the Cardinals.
• Most recently, UIW defeated HCU 45-24 last season.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Jalen Walthall holds steady with the most receiving touchdowns in FCS, tallying 11 through eight games. The duo of Walthall and Roy Alexander leads UIW's receiving core as Alexander is the third best receiver in the SLC, averaging 70 yards per game on 50 catches while adding four touchdowns.
• Zach Calzada remains in the top 10 in the FCS for passing yards, totaling 2,105 on the season, the ninth most in the nation.
• On the ground, Dekalon Taylor is the leading rusher for UIW with seven touchdowns and his 76 yards per game is the fifth-best in the conference.
• Mister Williams' 10.5 TFL is the third-most in the Southland Conference and good for No. 21 in the FCS.

GAME THEME - HOMECOMING
UIW Athletics and the Sustainability Advisory Board are taking part in the Game-Day Football, Zero-Waste Touchdown Challenge. This is a nationwide competition among college and universities to reduce and recycle the waste generated at football games. We ask that spectators place empty plastic and aluminum containers in the recycling bins and paper and organic items in compost bins. Recycling bins will be located next to all trash bins, and compost bins are located at the concession area. 

Homecoming festivities include several pre-game and in-game activations, starting off with a blessing of the student-athletes, on-field, led by Sr. Walter Maeher. The Marching Cardinals and spirit squads quick off halftime, followed the crowning of the homecoming court and a spirit bell dedication recognition. 

The 2025 NCAA Final Four Fan Jam truck will be set up in the tailgate area for fans to enjoy. 

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.