SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word football team will play its first home game in 317 days on Saturday as the squad welcomes rival Abilene Christian to Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium for a battle at 6 p.m.
FAN APPRECIATION DAY
In celebration of Fan Appreciation Day, the first 500 fans to arrive on the home side of Benson Stadium on Saturday will receive a custom UIW football t-shirt and magnetic UIW car decal.
OPENING KICK
Coming off of a gut-wrenching 37-31 loss to Stephen F. Austin in their most recent action, the Cardinals (0-3, 0-1 SLC) will welcome an opportunity to wake up in their own bed, suit up in their home locker room and put on a show in front of the UIW faithful.
The Wildcats (1-3, 1-1 SLC) opened their brand new state-of-the-art multimillion dollar football stadium and Southland Conference play two weeks ago with a win over Houston Baptist, but suffered a 10-point loss at the hands of the Lumberjacks last week at home.
Saturday's game will feature a pair of religious institutions that successfully completed a four-year transition to the NCAA Division I level over the summer and are desperate to climb the league ladder. A win for either team could be a springboard to success heading into the meat of the SLC schedule.
HOW TO WATCH
LOCAL TV (San Antonio):
KCWX
OTA 2.2
DirecTV 2
AT&T U-verse 2 (SD)/1002 (HD)
Charter Spectrum 4 (SD)/1215 (HD)
Grande 2 (SD)/802 (HD)
NATIONAL TV (Subject to blackout in San Antonio):
ESPN College Extra
DirecTV 789
ONLINE (Subject to blackout in San Antonio):
http://sland.social/CATSvsCARDS
WatchESPN and ESPN apps
HOW TO LISTEN
UIW fans can listen to the game, broadcast by Chris Reyes and Jaime Valdes, by visiting
KUIW.org.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
2017: 1-3 Overall, 1-1 SLC
Last Game: L 20-10 vs. Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 23)
Head Coach: Adam Dorrel
Key Offensive Players:
#1 Jr. QB Dallas Sealey (108-163-6, 872 YRDS, 3 TD)
#23 So. RB Tracy James (30-159, 1.8 YPC)
#5 Sr. WR Troy Grant (26-227, 8.7 YPC)
#87 So. WR Josh Fink (11-130, 11.8 YPC, 2 TD)
Key Defensive Players:
#32 So. FS Bolu Onifade (36 TKL, 4 BU and 3.0 TFL)
#41 Jr. SS Brandon Richmond (27 TKL, 2 BU, I INT, 1 FF, 1 FR)
#21 Sr. LB Royce Moore (17 TKL, 4.0 TFL, 2 BU, 1.0 SACKS)
Summary: Abilene Christian posted a 2-9 record last season, including a 2-7 mark in Southland Conference action. The Wildcats are 1-3 in 2017 and coming off of a 20-10 loss to Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 23.
ACU averages 14.5 points and 332.2 yards of total offense. The wildcats average 248 yards through the air, led by quarterback Dallas Sealey (872 yards, 3 touchdowns). Running back Tracy James (159 yards, 1.8 yards per carry) spearheads the ACU ground game. Receivers Troy Grant (26 receptions, 227 yards) and Josh Fink (11 receptions, 130 yards, 2 touchdowns) emerge as Sealey's favorite targets.
Defensively, the Wildcats surrender 24.8 points and 407.2 yards per game, including 210.5 passing yards and 196.8 yards on the ground.
Free safety Bolu Onifade leads the ACU defense with 36 tackles, 4 pass breakups and 3.0 tackles for loss. Strong safety Brandon Richmond has 27 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery, while linebacker Royce Moore has racked up 17 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups and 1 sack.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017: 0-3 Overall, 0-1 SLC
Last Game: L 37-31 at Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 16)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#3 So. QB
Sean Brophy (56-97-5, 513 YRDS, 5 TD)
#6 Gr.
Derrick Mitchell (27-185, 6.6 YPC, 1 TD)
#11 Jr. WR
Zaire Andre (11-136 YRDS, 12.4 YPC, 1 TD)
#22 Sr. WR
Jamari Gilbert (11-128 YRDS, 11.6 YPC)
Key Defensive Players:
#25 Jr. CB
Jamarkese Williams (19 TKL, 2 BU, 1.5 TFL)
#8 Sr. LB
Quandre Washington (19 TKL, 1 TFL, 1 FR, 1 BU)
#55 Jr. DE
Darrius Montgomery (11 TKL, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 SACKS, 1 FF, 1 BK)
Summary: The Cardinals finished their 2016 campaign with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is 0-3 this season, including and 0-1 mark in league action, and coming off of a 37-31 defeat at Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 16.
The Cardinals average 17.7 points and 284.3 yards of total offense. UIW averages 201 yards through the air, led by quarterback
Sean Brophy (513 yards, 5 touchdowns). Receivers
Jamari Gilbert (11 receptions, 128 yards) and
Zaire Andre (11 receptions, 136 yards, 1 touchdown) emerge as Brophy's most reliable targets. Running back
Derrick Mitchell paces the UIW rushing attack with 185 yards on 27 carries.
Defensively, the Cardinals surrender 53 points and 499 yards per game, including 358 passing yards and 141 rushing yards.
Cornerback
Jamarkese Williams leads the UIW defense with 19 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker
Quandre Washington has contributed 19 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass breakup, while defensive end
Darrius Montgomery has tallied 11 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 blocked punt.
SERIES HISTORY
The Wildcats hold a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Cardinals. ACU earned a 52-27 victory when the teams last met on Oct. 22, 2016 in Abilene, Texas.
UP NEXT
UIW travels to Hammond for a 4 p.m. battle with Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 7.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals return to Military City on Oct. 14 for a 6 p.m. date with in-state opponent Lamar.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
