SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team got a big 41-20 win over the Lamar University Cardinals Saturday evening in UIW's final home game of the 2024 regular season. This improves the home win streak to seven and Clint Killough's head coaching record at Benson to an impressive 11-1.
 
The Cardinal offense racked up a total of 606 yards. Roy Alexander (163) and Jalen Walthall (165) combined for 328 receiving yards and four touchdowns. This is the second game in a row that Alexander has caught three touchdowns in four quarters. The man getting them the ball was no other than Zach Calzada who had a total of 402 yards five touchdowns and no interceptions.
 
The UIW Cardinals got on the board first with a field goal, but Lamar scored the first touchdown of the game after the Cardinals' tight end ripped the ball from the UIW safety before making his way to the endzone.
 
The always potent UIW offense needed to respond and did just that as Calzada threw three passes for 75 yards in only 58 seconds for a the first UIW touchdown of the game.
 
On the ensuing kickoff UIW's Nick Rigas put the ball around the five and Matt Kordas forced and recovered the fumble on kickoff at the 18 yard line. However, the Lamar defense was able to make a stand, forcing the field goal attempt. UIW didn't convert and the score stayed the same, 10-7.
 
UIW forced anther fumble when Ronald Wilson blasted the Lamar quarterback sending the ball into the air. The UIW Cardinals were able to jump on the ball giving the defense great field position at the end of the first quarter.  
 
Midway through the second quarter, Dekalon Taylor had yet another solid return setting the Cardinals up in plus territory. Four plays later Alexander made a catch on the sideline, juking a player and crossing the goal line for his second TD of the game.
 
The UIW defense continued to make stops until the offense fumbled the ball on the 16-yard line. Lamar cashed in on the field position, scoring a touchdown cutting the UIW lead to only four, seemingly sending the two teams into the locker room with a 17-13 score.
 
In the final seconds of the half, UIW completed a pass to Alexander all the way at the 26. The Cardinals were able to spike the ball with two seconds remaining, kicking a FG to make the score 20-13 at the break.
 
On the first drive out of the half, UIW chewed up some clock methodically moving down the field. Five minutes after the UIW offense took the field, Calzada hit Jackson Lowe for a six-yard touchdown extending the UIW lead to 34-13.
 
The next Lamar offensive possession Mister Williams burst through the o-line hitting the quarterback and forcing a sack fumble. UIW would drive the field down to the one-yard line before fumbling, giving the ball back to Lamar.
 
Once again Lamar capitalized on the UIW turnover scoring for a third time. Lamar lined up to attempt a two-point conversion which would make up for the missed extra point in the first half. A false start penalty forced Lamar to change plans and send in the kicking team and bring the score to 34-20.
 
With 10 minutes remaining in the game once again slowly moved down the field. A few minutes into the drive UIW found themselves with a third-and-long. Calzada rolled out of the pocket buying time before delivering a strike to Alexander on the sideline. Roy was able to speed away from the defense making what originally looked to be a sack a 56-yard catch for his third touchdown of the night.
 
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