HAMMOND, La. -- The University of the Incarnate Word's stars came out to play, as the Cardinals started fast and closed strong, earning a fourth-consecutive win and first road win of 2026 in a 35-16 triumph over Southeastern in Southland Conference football play Saturday.
It was also a historic night for UIW defensive end
Jeremiah Young, who recorded two sacks to give him a single-season program record 9.5 on the season.
PACE IS THE TRICK
UIW's ultra-fast offense gave the Lions fits early, as the Cardinals were routinely snapping the ball before Southeastern could get set, leading to touchdowns on their first three possessions.
The unit put up 546 yards on Saturday and is averaging 541.7 over its last three games.
Nine of 10 plays Incarnate Word ran on its opening drive were runs, with the 65-yard drive wrapping on a 5-yard touchdown scamper by quarterback
Emmett Brown.
Brown had another great all-around game, going 18-for-25 for 294 yards passing with 45 yards on the ground. His night included a beautiful 23-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to
Roy Alexander in the second quarter.
Â
A week after recording a career-high 173 yards against Northwestern State, Alexander missed that total by one yard Saturday, gaining 172 on six catches.
Down 21-3 at the half, the Lions made things interesting, outscoring the Cardinald 13-0 in the third quarter to make it a five-point game.
But the offense found its rhythm once again, with Brown hitting
Isaiah Champagne for a 27 yard gain to kick-start a drive that ended with a 9-yard
Lontrell Turner touchdown run. It was the second touchdown run for Turner, who also scored from a yard out in the second quarter.
Jayden Hibbler, who entered the night as the Southland leader in yards from scrimmage, ran for a career-high 134 yards and salted the game away with a 4-yard touchdown run with 7:13 to play. Hibbler was great in the passing game as well, gaining 60 yards on six catches.
YOUNG BREAKS SACK MARK, DEFENSE DOMINATES
Entering the day one sack shy of the single-game program record, Young equaled the mark on the final play of the first quarter, bull rushing the left tackle to bring down quarterback Kyle Lowe.
Â
He was even more impressive on the record-setting play. After getting through the offensive line, Young easily shed an attempted chip block from the running back and brought down Lowe again.
Â
Young topped a previous record of 8.5 that was shared by Justin Alexandre (2018), Myke Tavarres (2015) and Devin Grant (2024).
He wasn't the only standout, as the defense kept an opponent out of the end zone for the first time all season. The Lions' lone touchdown came on a 97-yard kickoff return by Blake Smith to open the second half.
Buddha Garrett led the team with nine tackles,
Walt Gray had an interception in the final minute and the Cardinals recorded eight tackles for-loss as a team.
FIRST ROAD WIN AIDES PLAYOFF PUSH
UIW improves to 6-4 overall with a 5-2 mark in the Southland. The Cardinals, who are 5-0 at home this season, had been 0-4 on the road before Saturday.
They now have a golden opportunity to close the season with six-consecutive wins, as their final two opponents Nicholls (4-6) and East Texas A&M (3-7) are both below .500.
Winning out will be the only possible path UIW has to the FCS playoffs. The Cardinals are a game back of Lamar and Stephen F. Austin in the league standings, but have head-to-head losses to both teams.
Next week's game agaisnt Nicholls at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium will serve as both Senior Day and Homecoming. The final home game of the season will kickoff at 2 p.m.
Â
