By Morgan Huizar
Football is back and ready to roll. On Saturday Aug. 31, the University of the Incarnate Word football team kicked off their season against the Northern Colorado Bears at the Tom and Gayle Benson stadium.
The game started off fast for UIW as utility player Dekalon Taylor took one to the house for a 27-yard touchdown giving the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead over the Bears. Northern Colorado would respond with a 58-yard touchdown by running back Vann Schield, tying the score at 7-7 after the first quarter.
Quarterback, Zach Calzada connected in the second quarter with Jalen Walthall, on a 46-yard touchdown pass giving the Cardinals the lead once again 14-7. The third quarter was all UIW. The Cardinals started to pull away with a great touchdown pass from Calzada to tight end Logan Compton, doubling the Cardinals lead 21-7.
Later in the quarter, Taylor found the end zone when he scored on a one-yard touchdown run, leaving the Cardinals a 28-7 win over a much-improved Bears football team.
So come of the standouts for the Incarnate Word Cardinals were quarterback Zach Calzada who went 21-34 for 205 yards and two passing touchdowns. Transfer Wide Receiver Jalen Walthall led the Cardinal with 5 catches for 103 receiving yards. Running Backs, Dekalon Taylor and Isaiah Robinson, combined for 30 carries for 182 rushing yards. On the defensive end of the ball, Safety Mister Williams and Cornerback Kendrick Stone, combined for two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Returning Senior linebacker Tylan Foster picked up where he left off last season leading the Cardinals with 10 tackles against the Bears.
Next week the 12th ranked Cardinals go on the road to take on the 1st ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Brookings, South Dakota. For Cardinals fans you can catch that game on ESPN+. Kick off will start at 6 PM.
Pictures by: Andrew Rios
