UIW Gets Statement Win In Natchitoches

NATCHITOCHES, La. – When a team not only wants to win but also send a message, the scoreboard should be clear. That’s exactly what Incarnate Word did on Saturday afternoon.

Using a balanced attack, UIW routed the Northwestern State Demons 38-3, establishing their authority in the game by dominating on both sides of the ball.

UIW set the tone from the first snap. After a quick three-and-out by Northwestern State, the Cardinals answered with a 9-play, 87-yard drive featuring a 35-yard dart from quarterback EJ Colson to Jalen Walthall and capped by a 6-yard Colson pass to Walthall for the touchdown.

NSU got on the board with a field goal to make it 7-3, but that's the closest the Demons would get. UIW answered right back with a 5-play, 65-yard drive finished off by Timothy Carter finding the painted grass to give the Cardinals a 14-3 lead after one quarter.

From there, the Cardinals were in full control. Walthall broke free again, this time on a tunnel screen that turned into a 46-yard sprint to the end zone. Walthall added a 21-yard catch, and a Carter 26-yard scramble made it a 28-3 lead for the Cardinals at halftime.

UIW's defense kept suffocating the Demons as the second half got underway. After a 3-and-out by NSU, the Cardinals answered back quickly as Carter took the next carry 68 yards on just the second play of the drive to make it 35-3 in favor of UIW.

Will Faris added a 38-yard field goal for the Cardinals to cap off the scoring.

Why This Matters

• Confidence builder: Coming off what had been a turbulent season stretch, UIW delivered a nearly flawless performance.
• Two-phase strength: The offense showed big-play capability; the defense pitched a shutout (of touchdowns) and stymied any comeback attempt.

Up next:

The UIW Cardinals are now 4-6 (2-4, SLC) on the season and will return to the field next Saturday when they host the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at 2 p.m. inside Benson Stadium.