2025 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team

2025 Incarnate Word Cardinals football
2025 Incarnate Word Cardinals football
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	5–7 (3–5 SLC)
Head coach	Clint Killough (3rd season);
Co-offensive coordinators	Kenny Hill (1st season); Nick Young (1st season);
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Jim Gush (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinators	Sam Bennett (1st season); Ben Olsen (1st season);
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
	Seasons ← 2024 2026 →

The 2025 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team represented the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cardinals played their home games at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. They were led by third-year head coach Clint Killough.

2025 Southland Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 7 Stephen F. Austin $^	8	–	0	11	–	3
No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana ^	7	–	1	9	–	4
No. 24 Lamar ^	5	–	3	8	–	5
UT Rio Grande Valley	5	–	3	9	–	3
Nicholls	4	–	4	4	–	8
McNeese	4	–	4	5	–	7
East Texas A&M	3	–	5	3	–	9
Incarnate Word	3	–	5	5	–	7
Houston Christian	1	–	7	2	–	10
Northwestern State	0	–	8	1	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS Poll

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player	Position	Destination
Roy Alexander	WR	Texas Tech
Zach Calzada	QB	Kentucky
Chase Carter	DL	Memphis
Tylan Foster	LB	Eastern Illinois
River Gordon	OL	Abilene Christian
Devin Grant	DL	West Virginia
Tyler "TJ" Harold	DL	Tyler
Nolan Hay	OL	South Carolina
Solomon James	QB	UT Permian Basin
Rasheed Jackson	OL	TCU
Talon Lewin	QB	Ventura
Derrick Lewis	LB	Stephen F. Austin
Josh Pastrana	LB	Keiser
Isaiah Pedack	DL	Mississippi Valley State
Dekalon Taylor	RB	Colorado
Jaelon Travis	WR	Pittsburg State
Mister Williams	LB	San Diego State
Anquan Willis	RB
Hunter Willis	LB	Trinity Valley

Incoming

Player	Position	Previous school
Deyon Batiste	QB	Wyoming
Joe Cadette	DE	Houston Christian
Pig Cage	DB	Louisiana Tech
EJ Colson Jr.	QB	UCF
Kobe Dillon	RB	Southern
Harlan Dixon	RB	Southeastern Louisiana
Jaylen Dotson	DB	Kent State
Will Faris	K	Vanderbilt
Kai Fernandes	DB	Appalachian State
Cam Foster	OL	Southern
Dewey Greene	DE	Southern Illinois
Brayden Hay	LB	Houston Christian
Chedon James	WR	Fresno State
Dylan Kirby	OL	Southern Utah
Ben McCreary	RB	West Texas A&M
Zach Mitchell	WR	Southern Utah
Tyler Morton	DB	Nicholls
Michael Pleas Jr.	LB	UT Martin
David Powers	LB	Wofford
Jachai Pulley	LB	Pasadena City
Austin Samaha	TE	Texas State
Jawuan Singletary	OL	New Mexico
Jaylon Spears	RB	Nicholls
Mike Stoker	OL	TCU
Reece Sylvester	DB	Washington State
Danny Valenzuela	OL	Northern Arizona
Tomsen Vickery	DE	Air Force
Jeremiah Young	DE	Independence

^[1]^[2]^[3]

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 21, 2025. The Cardinals were picked to finish first in the conference and received fifteen first-place votes.^[4]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Incarnate Word	158 (15)
2	Stephen F. Austin	137 (3)
3	Southeastern Louisiana	136 (1)
4	Lamar	112 (1)
5	Nicholls	91
6	McNeese	85
T-7	East Texas A&M	59
T-7	Houston Christian	59
9	Northwestern State	39
10	UT Rio Grande Valley	24

Preseason All–American Teams

The University of the Incarnate Word football team had six student-athletes named Stats Perform Preseason All-Americans ahead of the 2025 season.^[5]

Offense

1st Team

Jalen Walthall – Wide receiver, RS-SR

2nd Team

Chedon James – Wide receiver, RS-JR

3rd Team

Traveon Newsome – Offensive lineman, RS-SR

Defense

2nd Team

Tyler Morton – Defensive back, RS-SR

3rd Team

Declan Williams – Defensive lineman, SR
Jaylon Spears – All-purpose, RS-JR

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 23	12:00 p.m.	at Nicholls	No. 5	Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA	ESPN2	L 6–20	8,779
August 30	6:00 p.m.	Eastern Washington*	No. 5	Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	W 31–21	2,263
September 13	2:30 p.m.	at UTSA*	No. 14	Alamodome San Antonio, TX (Hometown Showdown)	ESPN+	L 20–48	20,421
September 20	3:00 p.m.	at No. 17 Northern Arizona*	No. 19	Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, AZ	ESPN+	L 23–31	10,007
September 27	6:00 p.m.	No. 12 Abilene Christian*		Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	W 38–7	3,006
October 4	6:00 p.m.	Stephen F. Austin		Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	L 17–31	2,098
October 18	4:30 p.m.	East Texas A&M		Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	L 45–52	2,016
October 25	7:00 p.m.	at UT Rio Grande Valley		Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium Edinburg, TX	ESPN+	L 28–56	12,649
November 1	2:00 p.m.	No. 14 Lamar		Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	W 24–17	2,680
November 8	1:00 p.m.	at Northwestern State		Harry Turpin Stadium Natchitoches, LA	ESPN+	W 38–3	4,243
November 15	2:00 p.m.	No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana		Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	L 7–10	2,165
November 22	2:00 p.m.	at Houston Christian		Husky Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+	W 31–10	1,357
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[6]^[7]^[8]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Source: ^[9]

Name	Position	Alma mater	Joined staff
Clint Killough	Head coach	Incarnate Word (2015)	2018
Jim Gush	Associate head coach / defensive coordinator	Bucknell (1981)	2023
Ben Olson	Co-defensive coordinator / run game coordinator / defensive line	Eastern Illinois (2013)	2023
Kenny Hill	Co-offensive coordinator / running backs	TCU (2017)	2023
Nick Young	Co-offensive coordinator / offensive line	Toledo (2012)	2023
Willis White	Assistant head coach / wide receivers	Alabama State (2018)	2023
Sam Bennett	Co-defensive coordinator / Linebackers / academic coordinator	Texas Tech (2010)	2023
George Sanders	Pass game coordinator / defensive backs	Southwest Baptist (2016)	2023
Luke Pardee	Quarterbacks	TCU (2023)	2024
Ryan Allgood	Tight ends / recruiting coordinator	Oklahoma (2011)	2025
Tre Spragg	Defensive quality control / assistant defensive backs	Incarnate Word (2015)	2023
John Scifers	Special teams quality control / video coordinator	Incarnate Word (2021)	2023
Taylor Grimes	Offensive quality control	Incarnate Word (2022)	2024
Cody Dunn	Director of performance statistics	McGill (2021)	2022
Braden Strauss	Defensive graduate assistant - linebackers	Baylor	2024
Dalton Meyer	Offensive graduate assistant	Incarnate Word (2023)	2025
Shane Creamer	Offensive graduate assistant	Houston (2021)	2025
Davis Conley	Head strength and conditioning	LaGrange (2017)	2022
Dr. Kimberly Montez	Head football athletic trainer		2025
Reagan Longoria	Football operations and recruiting assistant		2025

Roster

Source: ^[10]

2025 Incarnate Word Cardinals football

Quarterback

2 EJ Colson Jr. – Freshman (6'1, 190)
7 Deyon Batiste – Freshman (6'5, 230)
15 Richard Torres – Junior (6'4, 225)
19 Mikey Moshier – Freshman (6'2, 215)

Running back

0 Lontrell Turner – Junior (5'11, 180)
1 Jaylon Spears – Junior (5'10, 200)
4 Isaiah Robinson – Graduate Student (6'0, 212)
9 Harlan Dixon – Graduate Student (6'1, 210)
20 Timothy Carter – Junior (6'0, 215)
24 Kobe Dillon – Graduate Student (6'0, 190)
28 Ben McCreary – Sophomore (5'10, 210)
29 Traveon Green – Freshman (5'9, 195)

Wide receiver

3 Chedon James – Junior (5'9, 175)
5 Zach Mitchell – Sophomore (5'10, 200)
6 Jalen Walthall – Senior (6'2, 180)
8 Patrick Bridges – Freshman (6'1, 195)
10 Isaiah Champagne – Freshman (5'10, 170)
11 Josh Lorick – Senior (6'0, 170)
14 Matthew Ramirez – Junior (6'0, 160)
17 Jameson Garcia – Sophomore (6'1, 190)
84 Jackson Hancock – Sophomore (5'10, 160)

Tight end

18 Jackson Lowe – Graduate Student (6'5, 237)
44 Austin Samaha – Senior (6'2, 255)
47 Dane Farley – Sophomore (6'1, 230)
85 Evan Drake – Freshman (6'5, 240)
87 Aidan Cardwell – Freshman (6'3, 215)
89 Logan Compton – Graduate Student (6'4, 245)

Long snapper

22 Bryce Felt – Senior (5'9, 180)
52 Jonas Halbrook – Sophomore (6'2, 220)

Offensive line

50 Jawuan Singletary – C – Graduate Student (6'2, 310)
51 Kam Newhouse – OL – Freshman (6'3, 300)
54 Shontrail Key – T – Graduate Student (6'5, 290)
55 Danny Valenzuela – G – Graduate Student (6'3, 290)
56 Mike Stoker – T – Sophomore (6'6, 305)
58 Colton Carter – OL – Freshman (6'1, 275)
63 Lamont "LD" Smith – OL – Freshman (6'3, 260)
64 Ozzy Garcia – OL – Junior (6'1, 290)
65 Matthew Lewis – C – Freshman (6'3, 290)
66 Roderick Joseph – OL – Freshman (6'2, 290)
67 Frank Riggins – OL – Sophomore (6'4, 240)
68 David Hensley – G – Junior (6'4, 315)
70 Traveon Newsome – G – Graduate Student (6'2, 320)
71 Richard Grigg – T – Freshman (6'5, 285)
72 Cameron Foster – G/T – Senior (6'4, 315)
73 Caleb Flores – G/T – Junior (6'4, 279)
74 Christian Fitchett – T – Sophomore (6'5, 270)
76 Lawson Petty – G – Sophomore (6'3, 295)
77 Dylan Kirby – T – Freshman (6'6, 290)
78 Branon Jackson – G/T – Graduate Student (6'3, 295)
79 Adam May – T – Sophomore (6'6, 295)

Defensive line

3 Michael Pleas, Jr. – Edge – Graduate Student (6'3, 240)
9 Talib Salahuddin – DE – Senior (6'5, 245)
10 John Mathis – DT – Senior (6'2, 265)
14 Joe Cadette – Edge – Graduate Student (6'4, 240)
15 Dewey Greene – DE – Graduate Student (6'3, 260)
32 Tomsen Vickery – DE – Freshman (6'5, 240)
41 Terrell Elliott – DT – Senior (6'2, 300)
43 Emiliano Fears – DL – Junior (6'1, 215)
44 Jeremiah Young – DE – Sophomore (6'0, 255)
45 Logan Granville – DE – Junior (6'3, 230)
50 Jace Bardwell – DT – Freshman (6'2, 300)
69 David Brown – DT – Sophomore (6'1, 305)
90 Myron Warren – DT – Graduate Student (6'2, 275)
91 Lloyd Johnson – DL – Junior (6'2, 280)
92 Isaac Rimada – DL – Freshman (6'1, 225)
93 Danny McKenna – DL – Freshman (6'3, 227)
94 Ryan Vasquez – DL – Freshman (6'0, 240)
99 Josh Gonzalez – DT – Senior (6'3, 310)

Linebacker

0 Declan Williams – Senior (6'2, 245)
1 Dune Smith – Graduate Student (5'10, 197)
11 Caleb Lewis – Senior (6'2, 235)
20 Braden Hay – Graduate Student (6'2, 200)
21 Jachai Pulley – Junior (6'1, 210)
22 Ja'Brelle Asberry – Freshman (6'0, 210)
30 Jordan Norwood – Junior (6'1, 215)
34 David Powers – Graduate Student (6'1, 230)
35 Leo Bisesi – Sophomore (6'0, 224)

Defensive back

2 Barry Dillon – DB – Sophomore (6'1, 175)
4 Chris Pierce – CB – Senior (6'0, 170)
5 Matt Kordas – S – Senior (6'1, 190)
6 Tyler Morton – S – Senior (5'10, 170)
7 Kendrick Stone – S – Graduate Student (6'2, 190)
8 A.J. Tisdell – CB – Sophomore (5'11, 195)
12 Reece Sylvester – S – Junior (6'1, 190)
13 Rome Jeffers – DB – Freshman (6'0, 195)
16 Jaylen Dotson – CB – Senior (5'10, 180)
17 Kaden Jammer – DB – Sophomore (5'9, 160)
18 D'Arius Carmouche – CB – Junior (6'0, 165)
19 Isaiah Pruitt – DB – Freshman (5'11, 180)
23 Drew Merrill – DB – Senior (6'0, 190)
24 James Tuayemie – CB – Graduate Student (5'11, 205)
25 Patrick Batiste – CB – Sophomore (6'0, 185)
31 Quinton "Pig" Cage – S – Graduate Student (5'9, 200)
33 Kai Fernandes – S – Freshman (5'11, 195)
37 Nehemiah Lowry – DB – Sophomore (5'8, 145)
39 Ethan Chavez – DB – Freshman (5'10, 175)
83 Taye Jackson – DB – Senior (6'2, 190)

Kicker

38 Will Faris – Graduate Student (6'1, 165)
95 Nick Rigas – Sophomore (6'0, 185)

Punter

27 Ryan Shamburger – Graduate Student (6'2, 195)
49 Ethan Brumgard – Sophomore (5'11, 190)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt

Game summaries

At Nicholls

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game One – No. 5 Incarnate Word Cardinals (0–0) at Nicholls Colonels (0–0)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 5 Cardinals	3	0	3	0	6
Colonels	10	3	0	7	20

at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, LA

Date: August 23
Game time: 12:00 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 88 • Wind: N 4 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 8,779
Referee: James Brookhart
TV announcers (ESPN2): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

UIW – 11:07 Will Faris 24 yard field goal
UIW 3–0 Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:47
NICH – 0:48 Gabriel Showalter 38-yard field goal
Tied 3–3 Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 4:04
NICH – 0:38 Ty Marsh 29yard interception return, Gabriel Showalter kick
NICH 10–7

Second Quarter

NICH – 11:57 Gabriel Showalter 43-yard field goal
NICH 13–3 Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 2:15

Third Quarter

UIW – 10:30 Will Farris 24-yard field goal
NICH 13–6 Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:20

Fourth Quarter

NICH – 1:54 Karaaz Johnson 55-yard pass from Deuce Hogan, Gabriel Showalter kick
NICH 20–6 Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 1:54

Statistics	UIW	NICH
First downs	15	14
Total yards	204	287
Rushing yards	16	66
Passing yards	188	221
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	24–36–3	21–36–0
Time of possession	29:05	29:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing	Richard Torres	23/35, 175 yards, 3 INT
	Rushing	Jaylon Spears	15 carries, 49 yards
	Receiving	Chedon James	5 receptions, 59 yards
Nicholls	Passing	Deuce Hogan	21/35, 221 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jordan Poole	7 carries, 23 yards
	Receiving	Karaaz Johnson	2 receptions, 58 yards, TD

Eastern Washington

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game Two – Eastern Washington Eagles (0–0) at No. 5 Incarnate Word Cardinals (0–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	21	0	0	21
No. 5 Cardinals	7	17	0	7	31

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: August 30
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 102 • Wind: SE 9 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 2,263
Referee: Gary Leeper
TV announcers (ESPN+): Karl Schoening (play-by-play) & Sam Kaman (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

UIW – 6:22 Harlan Dixon 10 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 7–0 Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 4:45

Second Quarter

UIW – 13:15 Timothy Carter 1 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 14–0 Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 1:31
EWU – 9:55 Marceese Yetts 26 yard run, Soren McKee kick
UIW 14–7 Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:12
UIW – 9:43 Jameson Garcia 75 yard pass from Richard Torres, Will Faris kick
UIW 21–7 Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12
EWU – 7:45 Jared Taylor 3 yard run, Soren McKee kick
UIW 21–14 Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:17
EWU – 4:24 Marceese Yetts 24 yard run, Soren McKee kick
Tied 21–21 Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 2:19
UIW – 0:03 Will Faris 37 yard field goal
UIW 24–21 Drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 4:21

Fourth Quarter

UIW – 2:48 Harlan Dixon 1 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 31–21 Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:34

Statistics	EWU	UIW
First downs	15	27
Total yards	290	463
Rushing yards	107	131
Passing yards	183	332
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–39–1	27–38–0
Time of possession	25:41	34:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Washington	Passing	Jared Taylor	21/38, 183 yards
	Rushing	Marceese Yetts	6 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Marceese Yetts	7 receptions, 63 yards
Incarnate Word	Passing	Richard Torres	27/38, 332 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Harlan Dixon	14 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Jameson Garcia	6 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD

@ UTSA (FBS)

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game Three – No. 14 Incarnate Word Cardinals (1–1) at UTSA Roadrunners (FBS) (0–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Cardinals	0	0	14	6	20
Roadrunners (FBS)	10	14	14	10	48

at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

Date: September 13
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game weather: Indoors
Game attendance: 20,421
Referee: Kevin Randall
TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play) and Dave Steckel (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

UTSA – 10:46 Devin McCuin 13 yard pass from Owen McCown, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 7–0 Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 2:39
UTSA – 5:28 Michael Petro 26 yard field goal
UTSA 10–0 Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:42

Second Quarter

UTSA – 9:23 Robert Henry 3 yard run, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 17–0 Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:09
UTSA – 8:03 Dan Dishman 4 yard pass from Owen McCown, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 24–0 Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:04

Third Quarter

UTSA – 13:40 Robert Henry 74 yard run, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 31–0 Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:20
UIW – 12:51 Chedon James 38 yard pass from EJ Colson, Will Faris kick
UTSA 31–7 Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 0:49
UTSA – 12:04 AJ Wilson 77 yard pass from Owen McCown, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 38–7 Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:42
UIW – 7:55 Chedon James 15 yard pass from EJ Colson, Will Faris kick
UTSA 38–14 Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:09

Fourth Quarter

UTSA – 9:19 Michael Petro 31 yard field goal
UTSA 41–14 Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:57
UIW – 6:19 Chedon James 36 yard pass from EJ Colson, 2-point conversion failed
UTSA 41–20 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:00
UTSA – 4:06 Devin McCuin 24 yard pass from Owen McCown, Michael Petro kick
UTSA 48–20 Drive: 4 plays, 46 yards, 2:11

Statistics	UIW	UTSA
First downs	23	22
Total yards	357	442
Rushing yards	33	204
Passing yards	324	238
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	31–45–2	29–35–0
Time of possession	25:48	34:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing	EJ Colson	17/24, 213 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jaylon Spears	5 carries, 26 yards
	Receiving	Chedon James	8 receptions, 134 yards, 3 TD
UTSA	Passing	Owen McCown	29/35, 238 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Robert Henry	14 carries, 144 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	AJ Wilson	4 receptions, 99 yards, TD

@ No. 17 Northern Arizona

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game Four – No. 19 Incarnate Word Cardinals (1–2) at No. 17 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (2–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Cardinals	0	10	6	7	23
No. 17 Lumberjacks	7	14	7	3	31

at Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff, AZ

Date: September 20
Game time: 3:00 p.m.
Game weather: Indoors
Game attendance: 10,007
Referee: Mike Bezner
TV announcers (ESPN+): Mitch Strohman (play-by-play) and Kevin Stephens (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

NAU – 6:19 Ethen Cluff 4 yard run, Samuel Hunsaker kick
NAU 7–0 Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 5:32

Second Quarter

UIW – 14:49 Will Faris 37 yard field goal
NAU 7–3 Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 2:00
UIW – 9:34 Jameson Garcia 47 yard pass from EJ Colson, Will Faris kick
UIW 10–7 Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:34
NAU – 7:17 Jayson Raines 33 yard pass from Ty Pennington, Samuel Hunsaker kick
NAU 14–10 Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:17
NAU – 0:00 Myseth Currie 46 yard pass from Ty Pennington, Samuel Hunsaker kick
NAU 21–10 Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 0:56

Third Quarter

UIW – 3:24 Lontrell Turner 3 yard run, PAT failed
NAU 21–16 Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:56
NAU – 1:17 Jeter Purdy 30 yard pass from Ty Pennington, Samuel Hunsaker kick
NAU 28–16 Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:01

Fourth Quarter

UIW – 11:02 Jameson Garcia 11 yard pass from EJ Colson, Will Faris kick
NAU 28–23 Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 5:32
NAU – 5:13 Samuel Hunsaker 50 yard field goal
NAU 31–23 Drive: 11 plays, 43 yards, 5:49

Statistics	UIW	NAU
First downs	22	19
Total yards	436	402
Rushing yards	144	116
Passing yards	292	286
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	30–38–0	17–34–0
Time of possession	31:43	28:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing	EJ Colson	28/36, 292 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	EJ Colson	13 carries, 59 yards
	Receiving	Jameson Garcia	9 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
Northern Arizona	Passing	Ty Pennington	17/34, 286 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Seth Cromwell	16 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Kolbe Katsis	4 receptions, 95 yards

No. 12 Abilene Christian

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game Five – No. 12 Abilene Christian Wildcats (2–2) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (1–3)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 12 Wildcats	7	0	0	0	7
Cardinals	7	10	14	7	38

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: September 27
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 91 • Wind: NE 8 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 3,006
Referee: Gary Leeper
TV announcers (ESPN+): Karl Schoening (play-by-play) & Sam Kaman (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

ACU – 11:10 Dallas Dudley 21 yard pass from Stone Earle, Brandon Perez kick
UIW 7–0 Drive: 3 plays, 88 yards, 1:09
UIW – 4:05 Jalen Walthall 4 yard pass from EJ Colson, Will Faris kick
Tied 7–7 Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:05

Second Quarter

UIW – 13:45 Will Faris 32 yard field goal
UIW 10–7 Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:12
UIW – 6:37 EJ Colson 1 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 17–7 Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 5:26

Third Quarter

UIW – 4:55 EJ Colson 3 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 24–7 Drive: 16 plays, 76 yards, 6:49
UIW – 4:48 Declan Williams 28 yard interception return
UIW 31–7

Fourth Quarter

UIW – 1:10 Jaylon Spears 11 yard run, Will Faris kick
UIW 38–7 Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 5:20

Statistics	ACU	UIW
First downs	16	28
Total yards	248	423
Rushing yards	107	301
Passing yards	141	122
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17–30–2	17–30–0
Time of possession	19:44	40:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Abilene Christian	Passing	Stone Earle	17/30, 141 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Rovaughn Banks Jr.	14 carries, 110 yards
	Receiving	Javon Gipson	5 receptions, 53 yards
Incarnate Word	Passing	EJ Colson	17/30, 122 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Lontrell Turner	20 carries, 118 yards
	Receiving	Chedon James	5 receptions, 43 yards

Stephen F. Austin

Uniform combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

Game Six – Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (3–2) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (2–3)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lumberjacks	14	10	7	0	31
Cardinals	3	3	0	11	17

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: October 4
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 89 • Wind: E 9 mph • Weather: Clear
Game attendance: 2,098
Referee: Craig Hesler
TV announcers (ESPN+): Karl Schoening (play-by-play) & Sam Kaman (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

SFA – 13:06 Kylon Harris 20 yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Carlos Alvarado kick
SFA 7–0 Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 1:26
SFA – 7:59 Derrick Bohler 37 yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Carlos Alvarado kick
SFA 14–0 Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:07
UIW – 1:30 Will Faris 36 yard field goal
SFA 14–3 Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 6:29

Second Quarter

SFA – 11:33 Carlos Alvarado 30 yard field goal
SFA 17–3 Drive: 14 plays, 63 yards, 4:57
SFA – 6:06 Isaiah Davis 45 yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Carlos Alvarado kick
SFA 24–3 Drive: 3 plays, 49 yards, 0:59
UIW – 1:27 Will Faris 34 yard field goal
SFA 24–6 Drive: 12 plays, 41 yards, 4:34

Third Quarter

SFA – 3:06 Jerrell Wimbley 1 yard run, Carlos Alvarado kick
SFA 31–6 Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 3:26

Fourth Quarter

UIW – 14:09 Will Faris 37 yard field goal
SFA 31–9 Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:57
UIW – 1:18 Josh Lorick 16 yard pass from EJ Colson, Jaylon Spears pass
SFA 31–17 Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 2:23

Statistics	SFA	UIW
First downs	15	21
Total yards	335	345
Rushing yards	74	39
Passing yards	261	306
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–27–0	35–46–1
Time of possession	25:01	34:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Sam Vidlak	19/26, 261 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jerrell Wimbley	21 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Clayton Wayland	6 receptions, 100 yards
Incarnate Word	Passing	EJ Colson	35/46, 306 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jaylon Spears	10 carries, 33 yards
	Receiving	Jameson Garcia	4 receptions, 70 yards

East Texas A&M

Game Seven – East Texas A&M Lions (1–5) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (2–4)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: October 18
Game time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	ETAM	UIW
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
East Texas A&M	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ UT Rio Grande Valley

Game Eight – Incarnate Word Cardinals (2–5) at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (5–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0
Vaqueros	-	-	-	-	0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, TX

Date: October 25
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	UIW	RGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

No. 14 Lamar

Game Nine – No. 14 Lamar Cardinals (7–1) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (2–6)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Cardinals (LU)	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals (UIW)	-	-	-	-	0

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: November 1
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	LAM	UIW
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lamar	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ Northwestern State

Game Ten – Incarnate Word Cardinals (3–6) at Northwestern State Demons (1–8)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0
Demons	-	-	-	-	0

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, LA

Date: November 8
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	UIW	NWST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana

Game Eleven – No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana Lions (7–3) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (4–6)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 23 Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

Date: November 15
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	SELA	UIW
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ Houston Christian

Game Twelve – Incarnate Word Cardinals (0–0) at Houston Christian Huskies (0–0)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0
Huskies	-	-	-	-	0

at Husky Stadium, Houston, TX

Date: November 22
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	UIW	HCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Houston Christian	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
STATS FCS	5	12	14	19	RV	RV	—
Coaches	4	9	8	14	24	20	RV

References

↑ "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.
↑ "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
↑ "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
↑ "Football Picked to Win Southland Conference in 2025". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
↑ "Six Cardinals Named Preseason All-Americans". uiwcardinals.com. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
↑ "2025 UIW Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
↑ "Football Releases 2025 Schedule". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
↑ "Cardinals to take on Colonels on ESPN2". UIW Athletics. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
↑ "Football Coaches". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
↑ "2025 Football Roster". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2025.

[1] "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.

[2] "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.

[3] "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.

[4] "Football Picked to Win Southland Conference in 2025". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[5] "Six Cardinals Named Preseason All-Americans". uiwcardinals.com. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

[6] "2025 UIW Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved January 2, 2025.

[7] "Football Releases 2025 Schedule". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved February 5, 2025.

[8] "Cardinals to take on Colonels on ESPN2". UIW Athletics. Retrieved June 18, 2025.

[9] "Football Coaches". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 10, 2025.

[10] "2025 Football Roster". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2025.

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