2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team explained
The 2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team represent the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cardinals play their home games at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. They are led by second-year head coach Clint Killough.
Preseason
Preseason poll
The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 22, 2024. The Cardinals were picked to finish second in the conference and received eight first-place votes.[1]
| 1 | Nicholls | 119 (9) |
| 2 | Incarnate Word | 113 (8) |
| 3 | Southeastern Louisiana | 94 |
| 4 | Lamar | 88 (1) |
| 5 | Stephen F. Austin | 72 |
| 6 | McNeese | 64 |
| 7 | Houston Christian | 41 |
| 8 | East Texas A&M | 37 |
| 9 | Northwestern State | 25 | |
Preseason All–Southland Teams
The Southland Conference announced the 2024 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 22, 2024. UIW had a total of 10 players selected.[2]
Offense
1st Team
2nd Team
- Mason Pierce – Wide receiver, RS-SR
- Rasheed Jackson – Offensive lineman, SO
Defense
1st Team
- Tylan Foster – Linebacker, SR
- Ronald Wilson – Defensive back, SR
- Dekaylon Taylor – Kick returner, JR
2nd Team
- Marcus Brown – Defensive lineman, SR
- Chase Carter – Defensive lineman, SR
- Mister Williams – Linebacker, RS-JR
- Mason Chambers – Defensive back, SR
- Dekaylon Taylor – Punt returner, JR
Schedule
[3] [4]
Personnel
Coaching staff
Source: [5]
| Name | Position | Alma mater | Joined staff |
| Head coach | Incarnate Word (2015) | 2018 |
| Associate head coach / running backs | TCU (2017) | 2023 |
| Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks | Texas A&M (2017) | 2023 |
| Defensive coordinator | Bucknell (1981) | 2023 |
| Blair Cavanaugh | Special teams coordinator | Portland State (2016) | 2022 |
| Sam Bennett | Linebackers / academic coordinator | Texas Tech (2010) | 2023 |
| Offensive line / run game coordinator | Oklahoma (2016) | 2023 |
| Ben Olson | Defensive line / defensive run game coordinator | Eastern Illinois (2013) | 2023 |
| George Sanders | Defensive backs / defensive pass game coordinator | Southwest Baptist (2016) | 2023 |
| Willis White | Wide receivers / pass game coordinator | Alabama State (2018) | 2023 |
| Nick Young | Tight ends / recruiting coordinator | Toledo (2012) | 2023 |
| Tre Spragg | Defensive quality control | Incarnate Word (2015) | 2023 |
| Ashaad Mabry | Defensive quality control | | 2024 |
| Trevor Begue | Offensive quality control | Incarnate Word (2022) | 2024 |
| 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 football operations | McGill (2021) | 2022 |
| Mauricio De La Garza | Offensive graduate assistant | | 2023 |
| Lamont Johnson | Offensive graduate assistant | Incarnate Word (2019) | 2023 |
| Luke Pardee | Offensive graduate assistant | | 2024 |
| Brayden Strauss | Defensive graduate assistant | | 2024 |
| Davis Conley | Head strength and conditioning | LaGrange (2017) | 2022 |
| Augie Melendez Jr. | Head football athletic trainer | Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (2017) | 2017 |
|
Roster
Source: [6]
Game summaries
Northern Colorado
See also: 2024 Northern Colorado Bears football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UNC | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 24 |
| Total yards | 71–360 | 74–408 |
| Rushing yards | 43–214 | 39–203 |
| Passing yards | 146 | 205 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–28–2 | 21–35–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:47 | 30:13 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Northern Colorado | Passing | Peter Costelli | 16/26, 141 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Vann Schield | 11 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Brayden Munroe | 7 receptions, 66 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 21/35, 205 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 14 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 5 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD | |
at No. 1 South Dakota State
See also: 2024 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UIW | SDSU |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 31 |
| Total yards | 59–419 | 74–515 |
| Rushing yards | 20–68 | 42–230 |
| Passing yards | 351 | 285 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 31–39–0 | 21–31–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:43 | 35:17 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 31/39, 351 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Zach Calzada | 7 carries, 43 yards |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 7 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD |
| South Dakota State | Passing | | 21/32, 285 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Amar Johnson | 19 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Griffin Wilde | 10 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD | |
at No. 9 Southern Illinois
See also: 2024 Southern Illinois Salukis football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UIW | SIU |
|---|
| First downs | 25 | 23 |
| Total yards | 77–437 | 77–543 |
| Rushing yards | 23–71 | 45–207 |
| Passing yards | 366 | 336 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 35–54–1 | 22–32–1 |
| Time of possession | 30:39 | 29:51 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 35/54, 366 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 8 carries, 32 yards |
| Receiving | Roy Alexander | 10 receptions, 117 yards |
| Southern Illinois | Passing | DJ Williams | 19/27, 301 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | DJ Williams | 12 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Keontez Lewis | 8 receptions, 148 yards, 1 TD | |
Northern Arizona
See also: 2024 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | NAU | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 18 |
| Total yards | 75–439 | 60–412 |
| Rushing yards | 34–166 | 37–232 |
| Passing yards | 273 | 180 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–41–0 | 14–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 33:39 | 26:21 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Northern Arizona | Passing | Ty Pennington | 20/35, 247 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Darvon Hubbard | 12 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Bryzai White | 4 receptions, 63 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 14/23, 180 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 17 carries, 184 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Roy Alexander | 5 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD | |
Prairie View A&M
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | PVAMU | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 30 |
| Total yards | 54–280 | 78-516 |
| Rushing yards | 26-83 | 42–225 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 291 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–28–0 | 27–36–1 |
| Time of possession | 25:06 | 32:23 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Prairie View A&M | Passing | Jaden Johnson | 12/24, 149 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Scooter Adams | 6 carries, 39 yards |
| Receiving | Scooter Adams | 1 reception, 54 yards, 1 TD |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 27/34, 291 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 17 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 12 receptions, 170 yards, 1 TD | |
Nicholls
See also: 2024 Nicholls Colonels football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | NIC | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 16 |
| Total yards | 72–260 | 57–363 |
| Rushing yards | 40–123 | 23–89 |
| Passing yards | 137 | 274 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19–32–2 | 26–34–1 |
| Time of possession | 36:24 | 23:36 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nicholls | Passing | Pat McQuaide | 17/28, 90 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jaylon Spears | 12 carries, 44 yards |
| Receiving | Dany'e Brooks | 3 receptions, 41 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 25/33, 270 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 6 carries, 31 yards |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 4 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TD | |
McNeese
See also: 2024 McNeese Cowboys football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | MCN | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 24 |
| Total yards | 324 | 424 |
| Rushing yards | 105 | 182 |
| Passing yards | 219 | 242 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–36–0 | 23–44–1 |
| Time of possession | 23:30 | 36:30 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| McNeese | Passing | Kamden Sixkiller | 21/36, 219 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Joshon Barbie | 10 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Jer'Michael Carter | 3 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 21/42, 204 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 25 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Josh Lorick | 5 receptions, 76 yards | |
at Southeastern Louisiana
See also: 2024 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UIW | SLU |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 25 |
| Total yards | 63–369 | 79–341 |
| Rushing yards | 32–131 | 35–112 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 229 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–31–0 | 26–44–2 |
| Time of possession | 28:25 | 31:35 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 21/31, 238 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 16 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Logan Compton | 2 receptions, 71 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Eli Sawyer | 25/42, 207 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Antonio Martin Jr. | 18 carries, 75 yards |
| Receiving | Jaylon Domingeaux | 10 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD | |
Houston Christian
See also: 2024 Houston Christian Huskies football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | HCU | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 31 |
| Total yards | 64–301 | 89–573 |
| Rushing yards | 30–84 | 39–241 |
| Passing yards | 217 | 332 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18–34–2 | 32–50–0 |
| Time of possession | 24:05 | 35:55 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Houston Christian | Passing | Cutter Stewart | 10/12, 145 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Calvin Hill | 4 carries, 53 yards |
| Receiving | AJ Wilson | 3 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 29/44, 306 yards, 4 TD |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 14 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Roy Alexander | 7 receptions, 89 yards, 3 TDs | |
Lamar
See also: 2024 Lamar Cardinals football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | LU | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 26 |
| Total yards | 61–330 | 72–606 |
| Rushing yards | 29–72 | 38–204 |
| Passing yards | 258 | 402 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–32–0 | 23–34–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:10 | 28:50 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Lamar | Passing | Robert Coleman | 17/22, 238 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Major Bowden | 5 carries, 44 yards |
| Receiving | Kyndon Fuselier | 6 receptions, 90 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 23/33, 402 yards, 5 TD |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 15 carries, 98 yards |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 7 receptions, 165 yards, 1 TD | |
at Stephen F. Austin
See also: 2024 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team.
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UIW | SFA |
|---|
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 66–390 | 79–331 |
| Rushing yards | 34–185 | 43–122 |
| Passing yards | 205 | 209 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–32–3 | 21–36–2 |
| Time of possession | 25:54 | 34:06 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 15/32, 205 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Dekalon Taylor | 12 carries, 74 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Roy Alexander | 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD |
| Stephen F. Austin | Passing | Gavin Rutherford | 21/35, 209 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Gavin Rutherford | 17 carries, 47 yards |
| Receiving | Kylon Harrs | 6 receptions, 79 yards, TD | |
at East Texas A&M
| Uniform combination |
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | |
| Statistics | UIW | ET |
|---|
| First downs | 29 | 14 |
| Total yards | 83–496 | 64–231 |
| Rushing yards | 43–163 | 25–66 |
| Passing yards | 333 | 165 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 26–40–1 | 21–39–1 |
| Time of possession | 33:22 | 26:38 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | 26/40, 333 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Lontrell Turner | 16 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Jalen Walthall | 7 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD |
| East Texas A&M | Passing | Ron Peace | 21/38, 165 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | KJ Shankle | 12 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Jaden Proctor | 4 receptions, 49 yards | |
No. 12 Villanova Wildcats (NCAA Division I playoff–second round)
See also: 2024 Villanova Wildcats football team.
| Statistics | VILL | UIW |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Villanova | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
Conference awards and honors
Cardinal players received player of the week recognition nine times during the season.
Weekly awards
Weekly honors!style="" | Honors | Player | Position | Date Awarded | Ref. |
|---|
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Jalen Walthall | WR | September 2, 2024 | [7] |
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Dekalon Taylor | RB | September 23, 2024 | [8] |
| SLC Defensive Player of the Week | Mister Williams | LB | September 23, 2024 | |
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Zach Calzada | QB | October 14, 2024 | [9] |
| SLC Defensive Player of the Week | Dune Smith | LB | October 14, 2024 | |
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Roy Alexander | WR | November 4, 2024 | [10] |
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Zach Calzada | QB | November 11, 2024 | [11] |
| SLC Defensive Player of the Week | Darius Sanders | DB | November 18, 2024 | [12] |
| SLC Offensive Player of the Week | Zach Calzada | QB | November 25, 2024 | [13] | |
Player and Coach of the Year Selections
Two Incarnate Word players and one coach were individual superlative award winners.[14]
2024 Southland Conference Football Individual Superlative Winners
Football Player of the Year: Zach Calzada, UIW
Offensive Player of the Year: Jalen Walthall, UIW
Coach of the Year: Clint Killough, UIW
Postseason All–Southland Teams
The Southland Conference announced the 2024 all-conference football team selections on November 26, 2024. Incarnate Word had a total of 14 players selected.[14]
Offense
1st Team
- Zach Calzada – Quarterback, GR
- Dekalon Taylor – Running back, JR
- Logan Compton – Tight end, JR
- Jalen Walthall – Wide receiver, JR
- Traveon Newsome – Offensive lineman, JR
- Mason Williams – Offensive lineman, GR
2nd Team
- Roy Alexander – Wide receiver, GR
- Nolan Hay – Offensive lineman, JR
- Rasheed Jackson – Offensive lineman, SO
Defense
1st Team
- Declan Williams – Defensive lineman, JR
- Darius Sanders – Defensive back, SR
- Mason Chambers – Defensive back, SR
2nd Team
- Devin Grant – Defensive lineman, JR
- Mister Williams – Linebacker, JR
- Dekalon Taylor – Punt returner, JR
Notes and References
- Web site: Southland Conference Announces 2024 Football Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team . www.southland.org . 24 July 2024 . en.
- Web site: 10 Football Student-Athletes Earn SLC Preseason Honors . uiwcardinals.com . 22 July 2024 . 24 July 2024 . en.
- Web site: 2024 UIW Football Schedule. FBSchedules. December 20, 2023.
- Web site: Incarnate Word Cardinals Schedule 2024 . ESPN Enterprises, Inc. . August 25, 2024.
- Web site: Football Coaches. University of the Incarnate Word. January 9, 2023.
- Web site: 2024 Football Roster. University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. July 21, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Walthall, Nicholls' Ennis, McNeese's Johnson Named Opening Jersey Mike's Football Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . September 2, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Taylor, Williams; McNeese's Smith Named Jersey Mike's Football Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . September 23, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Calzada, Smith; Southeastern's Lewis Named Jersey Mike's Southland Football Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . October 14, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Alexander, Southeastern's Pierce, SFA's Eddings Named Jersey Mike's Football Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . November 4, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Calzada, East Texas A&M's Tucker, and HCU's Fedor Named Jersey Mike's Football Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . November 11, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . East Texas A&M's Peace, UIW's Sanders, Lamar's Fuselier Named Jersey Mike's Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . November 18, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . UIW's Calzada, HCU's Valenzuela, Southeastern's Reno, Callaghan Earn Final Jersey Mike's Players of the Week . Southland Conference . November 26, 2024 . November 25, 2024.
- Web site: James Hill . Southland Announces 2023 All-Conference Football Team and Superlatives . Southland Conference . November 22, 2023 . November 22, 2023.
