FLAGSTAFF, AZ – The University of the Incarnate Word football team fell in a top-20 matchup against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Saturday afternoon.
 
EJ Colson had another outstanding game throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns. His number one target was Jameson Garcia who went for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Cardinals started behind the eight-ball once again as Northern Arizona found success on the ground and through the air, and striking first holding a 7-0 lead through the first quarter. On it's third drive of the game UIW started deep in enemy territory on the 13-yard line. The Cardinals marched down the field and into the red zone. The drive stalled there, but UIW was able to walk away will it's first points of the game thanks a Will Faris field goal.
 
The Faris field goal gave the Cardinals life as the defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing drive and putting the ball back in the hands of the UIW offense.  On this drive EJ Colson was able to get the ball to his biggest playmakers. He found Chedon James for a 28-yard completion and later hooked up with Jameson Garcia for what turned into a 47-yard touchdown, giving UIW it's first lead of the game.  
 
The Lumberjacks quickly took the lead after scoring another touchdown, 14-10. The two teams would battle back and forth through the final minutes of the half. After muffed punt nearly gave UIW the ball in plus territory, NAU was set up on the 40 yard line. UIW gave up one first down but held strong not allowing the Lumberjacks into field goal range. With two seconds left on the clock the Cardinals looked head into the locker room just down four. However, the Lumberjacks took a shot to the end zone and converted, pushing the lead to 11, 21-10.
 
The score remained the same until late in the third quarter when the Cardinals once again found themselves in the red zone. UIW lined up in a heavy package to help with the run, Lontrell Turner was able to find the edge and score his first touchdown of the year in his first game of the year. The Cardinals missed the extra point and the score was now 21-16.
 
It was the Lumberjacks matched the Cardinal third quarter touchdown extending their lead to 12, 28-16, but EJ wasn't done. To start the fourth Colson led a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to keep the Cardinals in striking distance, 23-28.
 
Northern Arizona tacked on another three points with a 50-yard field goal. Down by eight the Cardinals were still alive in the final minutes, but, were unable to find the end zone and fell by a final score of 31-23.
 
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