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University of the Incarnate Word Athletics

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Zach Calzada Huddle

Football

Three Earn SLC Superlative Awards; 15 Cardinals Named to All-Conference Teams

SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team closes out a historic regular season with 15 players named to the Southland All-Conference Teams. Quarterback, Zach Calzada was named 2024 Player of the Year and Jalen Walthall earned 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Honors. The leader of the squad, head coach Clint Killough was named the SLC Coach of the Year.  
 
All-Conference First Team Offense
 
Zach Calzada (QB): The Southland Conference Player of the Year leads the FCS in passing touchdowns with 33 putting him at No. 6 in FCS for passing yards (3,351) and passing yards per game (279.25). He adds 4 rushing touchdowns and has amassed over 3,500 yards of total offense, to make him No. 8 in FCS.
 
Jalen Walthall (WR): The Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year is second in FCS with his 14 receiving touchdowns, while leading the nation most of the season. He's amassed over 1,000 receiving yards at 1,149 yards on 70 catches to put him No. 4 in FCS in receiving yards.
 
Dekalon Taylor (RB): He finished the season as the leading rusher for the Cardinals with 909 yards and nine touchdowns on 152 attempts. Against Northern Arizona, he rushed for a career-high 190 yards with two touchdowns and set the record for the longest rushing touchdown in program history, coming in at 97 yards. He's the third leading rusher in the SLC, while adding 286 punt return yards and one touchdown.
 
Logan Compton (TE): An Integral part of the UIW offense that aided the Cardinals to 18 rushing touchdowns and almost 2,000 rushing yards (1994). Compton added four touchdowns with 208 receiving yards on 16 catches.
 
Mason Williams (OL): He helped the Cardinals to a 53% 4th down conversation rate (17-32) and over 5400 yards of total offense and was an integral part of the UIW offensive line that aided the Cardinals to 18 rushing touchdowns and almost 2,000 rushing yards (1994). The UIW offense has the eighth-best first down offense in FCS, No. 10 passing offense (284.9 ypg) and No. 7 total offense (451.1 ypg).
 
Traveon Newsome (OL): An Integral part of the UIW offensive line that aided the Cardinals to 18 rushing touchdowns and almost 2,000 rushing yards (1994). He helped the Cardinals to a 53% 4th down conversation rate (17-32) and over 5400 yards of total offense. The UIW offense has the eighth-best first down offense in FCS, No. 10 passing offense (284.9 ypg) and No. 7 total offense (451.1 ypg).
 
All-Conference First Team Defense

Declan Williams (DL): 
Registered 55 total tackles, nine tackles for loss for 25 yards, 2.5 sacks for nine yards, five pass breakups, and two QBH. He finished with a season-high 13 tackles against Southern Illinois.  

Darius Sanders (DB): Leads the team with three interceptions on the season. He has 65 total tackles on the season with five tackles for loss for 17 yards, one sack for five yards, three interceptions, four pass breakups, and two fumbles recovered for 22 yards. He snagged two interceptions against SFA to clinch the Southland Conference title for the Cardinals and earn himself SLC Defensive Player of the Week.  

Mason Chambers (DB): Leading tackler for the Cardinals with 77 (34 solo) and tied for second on the team with his two interceptions for 50 yards. He added seven pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.  
 
All-Conference Second Team Offense

Roy Alexader (WR): 
Totaled 11 receiving touchdowns for 947 yards on 78 catches. Back-to-back games with three receiving touchdowns (Lamar & HCU). Over 1,000 yards of total offense (1012). 2 rushing touchdowns for 65 yards. He's No. 6 in FCS for receiving touchdowns and No. 8 in receptions per game at 6.5.  

Nolan Hay (OL): An Integral part of the UIW offensive line that aided the Cardinals to 18 rushing touchdowns and almost 2,000 rushing yards (1994). He helped the Cardinal to a 53% 4th down conversation rate (17-32) and over 5400 yards of total offense. Part of the UIW offense who has the eighth-best first down offense in FCS, No. 10 passing offense (284.9 ypg) and No. 7 total offense (451.1 ypg). 

Rasheed Jackson (OL): He helped the Cardinals to a 53% 4th down conversation rate (17-32) and over 5400 yards of total offense and was an integral part of the UIW offensive line that aided the Cardinals to 18 rushing touchdowns and almost 2,000 rushing yards (1994). The UIW offense has the eighth-best first down offense in FCS, No. 10 passing offense (284.9 ypg) and No. 7 total offense (451.1 ypg).
 
All-Conference Second Team Defense

Devin Grant (DL): 
Leads the team with 7.5 sacks for 50 yards to go along with 10 tackles for loss for 57 yards, 28 tackles, four QBH and one forced fumble. Finished with a season-high three sacks and four tackles for loss against McNeese. He's second in the SLC in sacks and No. 34 in FCS 

Mister Williams (LB): Leads the team in tackles for loss with 13 for 41 yards, to go along with his 69 total tackles, four sacks for 22 yards, one interception, three pass breakups, nine QBH, one fumble recovery and five forced fumbles. He's third in the SLC for tackles for loss and No. 40 in FCS 

Dekalon Taylor (PR): He's the third leading rusher in the SLC, while adding 286 punt return yards and one touchdown.  
 
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--
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Players Mentioned

Zach Calzada

#10 Zach Calzada

QB
6' 4"
Graduate Student
Mason Chambers

#3 Mason Chambers

DB
6' 0"
Senior
Devin Grant

#44 Devin Grant

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
Rasheed Jackson

#75 Rasheed Jackson

OL
6' 7"
Sophomore
Darius Sanders

#1 Darius Sanders

LB
6' 2"
Senior
Dekalon Taylor

#3 Dekalon Taylor

RB
5' 9"
Junior
Mister Williams

#12 Mister Williams

LB
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Mason Williams

#60 Mason Williams

OL
6' 3"
Graduate Student
Traveon Newsome

#70 Traveon Newsome

OL
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Nolan Hay

#72 Nolan Hay

OL
6' 4"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Zach Calzada

#10 Zach Calzada

6' 4"
Graduate Student
QB
Mason Chambers

#3 Mason Chambers

6' 0"
Senior
DB
Devin Grant

#44 Devin Grant

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
DL
Rasheed Jackson

#75 Rasheed Jackson

6' 7"
Sophomore
OL
Darius Sanders

#1 Darius Sanders

6' 2"
Senior
LB
Dekalon Taylor

#3 Dekalon Taylor

5' 9"
Junior
RB
Mister Williams

#12 Mister Williams

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
LB
Mason Williams

#60 Mason Williams

6' 3"
Graduate Student
OL
Traveon Newsome

#70 Traveon Newsome

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
OL
Nolan Hay

#72 Nolan Hay

6' 4"
Junior
OL