SAN ANTONIO - After many things went right in the University of the Incarnate Word's trip to face No. 24 Northern Arizona, the Cardinals will look to clean up the things that didn't as they prepare to begin Southland Conference play this weekend.
UIW gained over 600 yards of offense, including 430 through the air, but a minus-five turnover differential proved too much in what became a 38-28 loss, dropping its record to 1-1.
Now, a Cardinal offense that ranks second in the FCS in points (52) and yards (540) per-game, will try to cut out the costly mistakes as Saturday brings a Southland Conference-opening matchup against a Houston Christian team that has opened 2026 in surprising fashion.
Saturday's game at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium will kick off at 6 p.m.
It can be streamed on ESPN+.
LAST TIME OUT: NAU 38, UIW 28
The game began with a lost fumble inside the Lumberjack 1-yard line of the opening drive and UIW continued to struggle with ball security the rest of the way. The Cardinals finished with six turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown and two others that set up touchdown drives of 25 and 24 yards.
The Cardinals ran 94 plays, the second-most in a game in program history, and out-gained the Lumberjacks 606-333.
Emmett Brown finished 33-of-50 for 426 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, with wideouts
Zach Phipps (four catches, 125 yards and a touchdown)
Isaiah Champagne (11 catches, 90 yards) and
Price Morgan (8-76) all having big days. This was supplemented by a strong running game, as
Lontrell Turner (73 yards),
Damashja Harris (53) and
Jayden Hibbler (51) all had 50-plus yards and a touchdown.
The Cardinal defense has also been stout through two games, as the unit is currently third in the nation in total yards per-game (245), while also being in the top-20 in rushing (seventh, 82.5) and passing (16th, 162.5).
Christian Barney leads the team with 18 tackles, while
Jeremiah Young has three tackles for-loss and a sack.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Following a dismal 2-10 season in 2025, not a lot was expected of Houston Christian this fall, as the Huskies were
predicted to finish ninth in the preseason poll.
But those expectations were turned on their head in the season opener, when HCU jumped out to a 20-point lead and held off a late rally to knock off then-No.19 Southeastern 34-28 on the road.
Following a 31-3 loss to FBS Rice, the Huskies had a record-setting 88-0 win over NAIA Arkansas Baptist in week two. Not only was that the highest-scoring game in program history, but also the highest-scoring performance in the FCS this season.
While UIW, which is 75th in the FCS in time of possession at 28:26 minutes per-game, plays fast, its pace is almost glacial compared to Saturday's opponent.
Tied for 10th in the country in scoring at 41.7 points per-game, HCU is dead last in time of possession, holding the ball on average for just 18:29.
Dual-threat quarterback Cutter Stewart leads the team in both passing (390) and rushing (136) yards, while Jamaal Hall II (seven catches, 215 yards, two touchdowns) has been his top receiver.
The Huskies have also proven stout on defense, particularly against the pass, where their 94.7 yards per-game allowed through the air is second best in the FCS.
Individually, HCU has the Southland Conference's leaders in tackles (Matai Tomas, 30), tackles for-loss (Jayven Anderson, six) and sacks (Mike Sylvalie, three).
The game features elite talent in the return game as well. HCU's Champ Dozier (43.3) and UIW's
Jackson Hancock (42.7) lead the SLC in kick return average, while UIW's
Jayden Hibbler is averaging a conference-best 25.7 yards per punt return, the third-best total in the FCS.
MATCHUP HISTORY AND OTHER NOTES
This has been UIW's most dominant matchup over the years, as the Cardinals hold an 11-0 head-to-head edge over the Huskies. The 11 wins are Incarnate Word's most against any opponent, while nine of those victories have been by 21 points or more,
including a 31-10 triumph in the regular season finale last season.
UIW, which played as an independent in 2009 and 2013, is 7-8 all-time in conference openers, with a 6-6 record in such games since joining the Southland Conference in 2014.
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.
