SAN ANTONIO – As the 2024 football season quickly approaches, the University of the Incarnate Word was named to the HERO Sports' preseason Top 25 list, coming in at No. 12.
 
The HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 list was voted on by FCS staff Sam Herder, Daniel Steenkamer, and Zach McKinnell.
 
UIW football looks to continue its championship-contending culture, building upon Head Coach Clint Killough's first season. Killough led the Cardinals to a 9-2 overall record and 6-1 in Southland Conference play with almost an entirely new roster and coaching staff.
 
Nationally, the Cardinals were ranked in five defensive categories and four offensive categories last season. Defensively, UIW finished first for team passing efficiency defense, tied for fourth for defensive touchdowns, fifth in third down conversion percentage, eighth for first downs defense, and tenth for defense. On the offensive side, the Cardinals finished second in the nation for passing offense, second in total offense, eleventh for team passing efficiency, and twelfth for scoring offense.
 
2024 HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25
1. South Dakota State (3 1st-Place Votes)
2. North Dakota State
3. Montana
4. Montana State
5. South Dakota
6. Villanova
7. Idaho
8. Sacramento State
9. Southern Illinois
10. Chattanooga
11. Central Arkansas
12. UIW
13. Richmond
14. Furman
15. UAlbany
16. Western Carolina
17. William & Mary
18. Tarleton State
19. Delaware
20. Lafayette
21. UC Davis
22. Weber State
23. Youngstown State
24. Illinois State
25. Eastern Illinois

Received votes (ordered from most voting points to least): Nicholls, Elon, UT Martin
 
 
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