SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team is 5-0 in Southland Conference play heading into this Saturday's game at Stephen F. Austin. A win over the Lumberjacks would give the Cardinals its third SLC Championship title in the last four years.

UIW

•  As the end of the regular season approaches, the Cardinals continue to trend upward, claiming the No. 6 spot in both the Stats Perform Top 25 Poll and the AFCA Coaches Poll.
• The Cardinals look to remain undefeated in Southland Conference play (5-0) to clinch the Southland Conference title and await the 2024 FCS Playoff draw.
• 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 50-straight weeks, the fifth longest streak behind North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State.
• For the fifth straight week, UIW maintains its title as the best red-zone defense in the FCS, holding opponents to just 17 scores through 28 attempts. The Cardinal defense is third in the FCS with four defensive touchdowns. UIW is also first in the FCS with 13 fumbles recovered and third with four defensive touchdowns.

SCOUTING SFA

• The Lumberjacks are 6-4 overall and 4-2 in SLC play and are coming off a 14-19 loss at East Texas A&M University last weekend.
• SFA boasts the top defense in the league, holding opponents to 16.8 points per contest, while UIW is the leading offense in the conference with 38.9 points per game. The Lumberjacks narrowly trail the Cardinals, putting up 37.5 points per game. The two team are averaging within 10 yards of total offense of each other.
• Qualan Jones has the third-most rushing yards per game, averaging 85 yards each outing.
• Sam Vidlak has put up 2,387 total passing yards through nine games, while throwing only four interceptions on the season.
• Kylon Harris has the second-most receiving yards in the SLC, between UIW's own Jalen Walthall and Roy Alexander. Harris is averaging 88 yards per contest with eight total touchdowns.
• Josiah Cotton is the leading tackler for the Lumberjacks with 60 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss for 32 yards, two sacks for 17 yards, three pass breakups, six QBH and one forced fumble.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

• SFA leads the all-time series 5-2 with UIW winning the last matchup 36-28 in overtime for the first playoff win in program history.
• The Lumberjacks are undefeated at home (4-0) against the Cardinals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Zach Calzada claims the top spot in FCS for passing touchdowns with 29 on the season thus far. Calzada is amongst the top 10 in the FCS for passing yards per game and passing yards.  
• Calzada's top two targets, Jalen Walthall and Roy Alexander are both featured in the FCS top five for receiving touchdowns. Jalen Walthall is tied for first in the FCS with 13 touchdowns, while teammate Roy Alexander comes in at No. 5 with his 10 TDs this season.
• Dekalon Taylor has eight rushing touchdowns to go along with 83 yards per game.
• Mason Chambers (62) and Mister Williams (61) are the leading tacklers for the Cardinals. Williams adds 12.5 tackles for loss for 40 yards, four sacks for 22 yards, one interception, three pass break-ups, eight QBH, one fumble recovered and five forced fumbles.

 
FOLLOW ALONG    
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