SAN ANTONIO -- Despite a razor-thin margin of error, confidence that an FCS playoff push is incoming remains high in the University of the Incarnate Word locker room.
Following a three-game losing streak, which included a pair of heartbreaking losses to highly ranked Southland Conference foes, the Cardinals put together their most complete game of the season last Saturday, easily handling UTRGV 41-16. This moved them to 3-4 on the year with a 2-2 mark in the SLC.
Despite its sub-.500 record, UIW has consistently proven it can play with almost anyone. Its three losses to FCS opponents are all on the road by a combined 15 points to Northern Arizona, Stephen F. Austin and Lamar, who enter the week at No. 7, 2 and 15 in the national rankings respectively.
But close almost certainly won't be enough to get Incarnate Word over the postseason hump, and players know they have to take advantage of an upcoming favorable stretch.
"The reality of the situation is, we have to win every single game from here on out to gives us a chance at playoffs," said linebacker
Declan Williams, who had an interception and a forced fumble against UTRGV. "I know that this team is a playoff football team. Throughout the rest of this year we just have to keep riding this momentum and win out. That's the goal."
They'll have a chance to get back to .500 on Saturday against a McNeese team with a similar resume, as well as an identical record both overall and in the SLC.
The game at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium will kick off at 4 p.m.
and can be streamed on ESPN Plus.
LAST TIME OUT: UIW 41, UTRGV 16
For the first time all season, the Cardinals won the turnover battle, taking the ball away four times while giving it away twice. The offense made the most of three first half interceptions, turning them into 17 points.
An acrobatic, one-handed interception by
Patrick Batiste on the game's first offensive play led to a
Lontrell Turner touchdown, then a goal-line pick by
Buddha Garrett, which was accompanied by a program-record 88-yard return, set up a field goal.
Then, in the waning moments of the second quarter, Williams returned a pick to the UTRGV 3-yard line, setting up a
Roy Alexander touchdown on the next play to give UIW a 27-10 lead at the half.
Helping the secondary was a persistent pass rush, which recorded a season-best five sacks.
Walt Gray proved to be a wrecking ball up front, recording 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for-loss.
The offense, which is 13th in the nation in total yards per-game (447.1) and fifth in passing (293.1), got some much needed balance. After averaging just 115.7 rushing yards during its three-game skid, the Cardinals ran for 204 Saturday.
The effort was led by
Jayden Hibbler, who had 238 yards from scrimmage. Hibbler ran for 96 yards, had 92 receiving and scored on a 15-yard touchdown catch, which was set up by his own 50-yard punt return in the second quarter. Hibbler is second in the FCS with 285 punt return yards.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS
McNeese has earned a pair of three-point SLC wins, including a 24-21 road victory over winless Northwestern State last Saturday.
Against the Demons, Jake Strong threw for 282 yards and had a touchdown pass to Kevin Rideau, who had 101 yards on just two catches. In the running game, Hutch Swilley (70) and Omiri Wiggins (50) both recorded at least 50 yards and a touchdown, while the defense made seven tackles for-loss.
Strong is one of three quarterbacks to see action for the Cowboys this season and has thrown for 632 yards and three touchdowns in five games.
He and the other quarterbacks have leaned on a solid run game led by Wiggins, who is third in the Southland with 446 yards rushing. Top wideouts Elisha Edwards and Curtis Deville Jr. lead the team with 361 and 333 yards respectively, with the duo combining for seven touchdowns.
UIW's high-powered aerial attack will get to work against the SLC's worst passing defense. The Cowboys are allowing 261.6 yards per-game through the air, raking them 108th out of 124 FCS teams.
Defensive back Mason Edwards enters Saturday second in the FCS with 11 pass breakups.
MATCHUP HISTORY AND OTHER NOTES
After losing the first four matchups in the series, the Cardinals have responded by winning six of the last seven, all their victories by double digits.
This includes a 30-17 win in San Antonio on Oct. 19, 2024. The teams did not play a season ago.
The Cowboys are one of the few FCS teams to have played a schedule on par with UIW's in difficulty. They not only lost to current No. 2-ranked Stephen F. Austin (38-27), but also held a fourth-quarter lead against current No. 1 team Tarleton State, losing 27-24 on a field goal as time expired.
McNeese also lost 63-14 to LSU, the No. 18-ranked team in the FBS.
FOLLOW ALONG
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