(RV/RV) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (3-2; 1-0) VS. (RV/#20) UIW (2-3; 0-1)
WHEN: OCT. 4 (SAT.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (GAYLE & TOM BENSON STADIUM)
MEDIA: ESPN+/JACKS RADIO NETWORK
SERIES:
UIW
FOOTBALL HISTORY VS UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD FROM SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 - NOVEMBER 16, 2024
The Lumberjacks lead the series 5-3, but have lost the last two meetings, and 3 of the last 4 in the series, with SFA having a 1-2 road record in San Antonio, not winning at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium since 2016.
In the last three meetings the margin of loss has been by 7 points, including a 20-27 SFA loss last season in Nacogodoches, 28-35 SFA loss in overtime in the opening round of the 2021 FCS Playoffs at UIW, and a 31-24 Lumberjack victory at home.
UIW, like SFA has been questionable on the road, but quite assertive and confident at home. The Cardinals' two home wins have come against Eastern Washington (31-21) and #13 ACU (38-7) while their three road losses were to Nicholls (6-20) UTSA (20-48) and #15 Northern Arizona (23-31).
In this his 2nd year in San Antonio, head coach Clint Killough, continues the UIW lineage of coaches that know how to win.
Last Saturday, against #13 ACU, after a quick 7-0 Wildcat lead, the Incarnate Word defense shut it all down, shutting out the potent ACU offense for the rest of the game, giving up only 248 total yards of offense (107 rushing, and 141 yards passing) for only 5 yards a play, while the UIW offense exploded for 423 total yards (a time consuming 301 yards on the ground and 122 through the air) holding a 40:16 time of possession to ACU's 19:44.
The offense is lead by redshirt freshman QB #2 EJ Colson, the 6-1; 190 pound duel threat QB out of Byron, Georgia. The ESPN 4-star recruit (#6 ranked QB) transfer from UCF, against ACU had a career high 103 yards rushing (long for 30) and 2 TD's, while throwing for 122 yards and another score. Colson is second on the team in rushing yards with 177 after only 3 starts.
At WR the Cards have two deep threats in sophomore #17 Jameson Garcia 6-1; 190 and junior #3 Chedon James 5-9; 175 who have combined for 76 catches for 684 yards and 6 TD's.
The Cardinals' defense is lead by the big 6-2; 245 senior LB #0 Declan Williams who leads the team in tackles (42), TFL (5.5), and sacks (1). As a team UIW gives up 25 points, and 334 total yards (119 rushing, 215 passing) a game.
The Lumberjacks will be rolling into October riding high their 3-game win streak, looking for that first road (since Nov. 2; 28-12 win in Thibodaux) win to make it 4, and make a strong statement that the Jacks are king of the SLC hill.
It will be interesting to see how the SFA coaching staff prepares the defense for a true duel threat QB, something SFA has struggled with in the past, and after the whipping UIW gave #13 ACU last Saturday, has a lion been awaken in San Antonio, or should I say a real angry bird?
Axe'Em
