SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will kick off the 2025 season against the Nicholls Colonels on Saturday, August 23 in Thibodeaux, Louisiana at 12 p.m. CT. This is the first time that two Southland Conference opponents will face off against one another on national linear cable.
 
LIVE LINKS

• ESPN2
• Live Stats 

CARDINALS

• The Cardinals finished 7-0 in conference play earning last season claiming their fourth Southland title ever and the third in the last four seasons. The last SLC championship that wasn't claimed by UIW went to Nicholls in 2023.
• After earning a bye through the first round of the FCS Playoffs UIW took down Villanova in round two. The Cardinal's season would come to an end in the quarterfinal after falling to South Dakota State in the second match up of the 2024 season.
• There are high expectations for the Cardinals coming into the year. UIW was picked first in the SLC Preseason Poll for the first time in school history. Along with this the Cardinals were ranked No. 4 by the AFCA Coach's and No. 5 in the Stats Perform Preseason Polls.

 
LAST TIME THEY MET

• The Cardinals took down the Colonels 55-10 in the 2024 season.
• The two teams have an even 6-6 record against one another, 3-3 on the road and at home.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Jalen Walthall: One of the nation's best receivers, Walt finished last season with the third most receiving yards (1290) and touchdowns (14). He has six games with 100+ receiving yards and four games with at least two touchdowns.
• Richard Torres: In his third season at UIW Torres was named QB1. Despite not being the starter he has made his mark at the Quarterback position stepping up in key moments. Most notably when he earned FCS National Freshman of the Week after leading a second half comeback on the road against McNeese that saw 28 unanswered from the Cardinals.
• Declan Williams: After a stellar first year on the d-Line where Declan played all 14 games for the Cardinals and was named First Team All-Conference, he is poised for another great season, this time at linebacker. He was named a Preseason All-American by Stats Perform, Phil Steele, and FCS Football Nation.
• Dune Smith: Another guy who has made the switch to linebacker "The Gravedigger" was the second leading tackler for the Cardinals in 2024 and is now in a position to beat his 80 total tackles from just a year ago.
• Jaylon Spears and Tyler Morton:  The Cardinals have amassed talent from near and far, however, they were able to make two key additions to the squad from their SLC week 0 opponent in Nicholls. Each played in 11 games for the Colonels in 2024 and bring a wealth college football experience to the team.

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.