San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Cardinals stay hot with their first shutout
It was the second straight week of historic wins for Incarnate Word's football program. Last week, the Cardinals knocked off an FBS team for their first time since they started playing in 2009 with their 42-34 win over Texas State in San Marcos.
Saturday, UIW came home and recorded their first shutout with their 31-0 win over McNeese at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium.
“Any time as a coach you get a little bit anxious,” coach Eric Morris said about playing after an emotional win over the Bobcats. “You have such a high. One of the biggest wins in school history. You want them to come back and have them remember what got them there.
“The preparation has to be the same.”
The week didn't get off to a great start, though.
“We had a terrible Tuesday practice,” Morris said. “We got after them pretty good as coaches got after that practice. And that reset the tone. Our Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practice, we were locked and our kids were sharp.”
The preparation paid off as UIW was able to open Southland Conference play with a win over a Cowboys team coached by former UTSA head coach Frank Wilson.
UIW started the game fast, taking its first drive 75 yards in 12 plays that was capped off with Kevin Brown taking a handoff around his right tackle, Dawson Kier, and racing toward the pylon to give UIW a quick lead.
McNeese was not able to handle the ensuing kickoff cleanly, and Ce'Cori Tolds fell on the loose ball inside the McNeese 10yard line. Four plays later, Taylor Grimes caught a short pass on fourth and goal from the 1 and scored UIW's second touchdown in the game's opening minutes.
McNeese's offense was finally able to take the field already behind 14-0. But the Cowboys were not able to get much going against a Cardinals defense led by Kelechi Anyalebechi.
“(Anyalebechi)'s effort and style on the field are just incredible,” Morris said of his senior
linebacker, who finished the game with a team-high 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. “The way he sacrifices for his teammates and plays so many reps at such a high level with such extreme speed, just shows what kind of competitor he is.
“He's only been playing linebacker for two years, which is scary to me how good he's been becoming so fast. He's definitely the leader of the defense.”
For the game, the Cardinals' defense gave up 290 yards of offense to the Cowboys and held McNeese to just 2 of 14 thirddown conversions.
UIW's offense, meanwhile, sputtered after their opening scores. They were finally able to get on the board again late in the second quarter, when McNeese transfer Trevor Begue came back to a scrambling, Cameron Ward and hauled in a pass that led to a 56-yard scoring pass.
McNeese's offense threatened in the second half but was turned away on its first drive when Jay alumn Moses Reynolds stopped Dontay Hargove for no gain on fourth and 1 inside the red zone.
UIW's offense then got back on track for a long scoring drive of 82 yards on 12 plays that was capped off by a Taylor Grimes 11yard pass from Ward in the end zone.
McNeese's final scoring opportunity was thwarted near the end of the third quarter after the Cowboys' offense moved the ball deep into UIW territory. But Rashon Davis was able to come up with an interception to turn McNeese away.
“Anytime a defense can go out there in this day and age with offenses that are so high powered, with a quarterback that's played a ton of football, that's a big accomplishment,” Morris said.
Cody Orgeron, the son of LSU coach Ed Orgeron, was the signal caller for the Cowboys.
‘We hung in there for all four quarters,” Morris said. “I'm super proud (of the defensive effort).”
Offensively, the Cardinals were led by Ward who finished with 352 yards passing and two touchdowns. The sophomore is averaging over 300 yards per contest.
“As a play caller, I get frustrated at times,” Morris said. “But sitting back thinking about it, all three sides did a great job of executing and coming out and playing together.”
The Cardinals go on the road next week to Natchitoches, La., to face Northwestern State at 6 p.m. Saturday before a week off.
The break will be much needed for the Cardinals, who are nursing some injuries, including to Robert Ferrel, who Morris said got banged up last week against Texas State and was nicked again against the Cowboys. But not before the senior finished the game with three receptions for 40 yards.