Ward and Cardinals continue record-setting seasons

No. 22 Incarnate Word continued the best start in program history and matched the school record with its sixth win of the season Saturday, cruising past Houston Baptist 49-21 at Benson Stadium.

The Cardinals (6-2, 4-1 Southland) improved to 4-0 at home this season and 6-0 all-time against the Huskies (0-8, 0-5).

UIW quarterback Cameron Ward set the program’s single-season record with his 26th touchdown pass, eclipsing the mark of 24 he posted in just six games this spring. He finished Saturday 34 of 46 for 328 yards four touchdowns, orchestrating a UIW offense that gained 537 total yards.

Last week, Ward was sacked 10 times and threw three interceptions for the first time in his career as UIW snapped a four-game winning streak with a 28-20 loss at McNeese. He rebounded Saturday with a turnover-free game, taking just one sack.

Robert Ferrel led UIW with 10 receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while Darion Chafin notched seven grabs for 75 yards and a score. Roger McCuller also hauled in a touchdown pass for the Cardinals.

Marcus Cooper ran 18 times for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Kevin Brown racked up 89 yards and a score on 12 carries.

UIW reached the end zone on seven of its first nine possessions, punting once and ending on drive via fumble.

Houston Baptist’s pass-happy offense picked up 364 yards, but UIW’s defense limited the damage. Moses Reynolds grabbed an interception, Akil Jones forced a fumble that Tre Richardson recovered, and the Cardinals forced three punts and a turnover on downs.

UIW jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its opening possession, as Ward hit Ferrel for a 3-yard touchdown. The Cardinals’ second drive covered 87 yards in nine plays, capped with a 28-yard rushing score from Brown for a 14-point lead late in the first quarter.

The margin stretched to 21 points midway through the second quarter when Ward found Ferrel for a 31-yard score. HBU got on the board late in the second quarter, but UIW pushed the lead back to three touchdowns with 2 seconds to play before halftime when Ward connected with Chafin for a 2-yard strike.

The Huskies scored on their opening drive of the second half to move within 28-14, but Ward found McCuller for a 14-yard touchdown and Cooper ran in a score from 14 yards to extend the advantage to 42-14 entering the fourth quarter.

UIW controls its path to the Southland championship, sitting second in the standings with a matchup against first-place Southeastern Louisiana slated for 2 p.m. next Saturday in San Antonio.