SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team kicks off the 2024 season hosting the University of Northern Colorado at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium on Saturday, August 31. The season opener will start at 6 p.m. and more information on stadium policies and ticket purchases can be found here.

UIW  

• The Cardinals been featured in the FCS Top 25 Poll for 39-straight weeks, the fifth longest streak in the FCS behind North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana, and Montana State.
• Among the FCS, the team is sitting at No. 14 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll and No. 15 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll ahead.
• Within the Southland Conference, UIW was picked to finish second, just one vote shy of tying with first-place pick, Nicholls State University.
• In the offseason, Head Coach Killough and his staff was quick to get on the recruiting trail. For the 2024 season, the Cardinals have added 14 transfers from FBS programs, and seven FCS student-athletes.
• 15 Cardinals were named to the 2024 Phil Steele/Draftscout FCS Preseason All-Southland Team
• 10 student-athletes earned Southland Conference preseason honors.
• Head Coach Killough was named to the Dave Campbell Texas Football 2024 40 under 40 List.

SCOUTING THE BEARS

• The Bears were picked to finish 11^th in the Big Sky Media Poll and 12^th in the Coaches Poll.
• Two key returners of the offensive side of the ball for UNC are recover Brayden Munroe and running back David Afari.
• Afari led the team in rushing gaining 651 yards over 11 games and scoring two touchdowns.
• Munroe made 10 catches for a total of 185 yards with an average of 26.43 yards per game, third most for the Bears.
   

LAST TIME THEY MET  

• The Cardinals and the Bears faced each other last season. UIW defeated Northern Colorado 42-7 in Greely, handing Coach Killough his first win as head coach.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH  

• Zach Calzada racked up preseason accolades after being names the Phil Steele All-Southland Offensive Player of the Year and earning a spot on the Walter Payton Watchlist.
• Nolan Hay (Houston Christian), Mason Pierce (McNeese) and Jaren Mitchell (Northwestern State) have all faced UIW at their previous institutions before joining the UIW squad for the 2024 season.
• The Cardinals will have more than 10 starters returning to the lineup this season, including several key pieces of the defense in linebacker Tylan Foster, safeties Ronald Wilson and Mason Chambers, and lineman Devin Grant among others.
   

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.