SAN ANTONIO -- For the first time this season, the University of the Incarnate Word football team finds itself in the top-25 of the national rankings.

After receiving votes for weeks, the Cardinals broke through on Monday, landing in the No. 22 position of the Stats Perform poll. The Cardinals earned 141 vote points, coming in between No. 21 Idaho State (212) and No. 23 California Davis (121).

This comes as UIW, which is 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the Southland Conference, is on a four-game winning streak, its most recent triumph being a 35-16 road victory over Southeastern on Saturday. The Cardinals are winning by an average of 32 points per-game in their last four games while the offense is averaging 541.7 yards in its last three.

Incarnate Word is one of three teams from the Southland in the top-25. Lamar and Stephen F. Austin are tied for the No. 7 spot following Lamar's 45-28 win over the previously No. 2-ranked Lumberjacks on Saturday.

UIW will play its final home game of 2026 against Nicholls this Saturday. The game, which will serve as both homecoming and senior day, will kick off at 2 p.m.