Photo provided by UIW Football on X. (Pictured is UIW Running back Harlan Dixon with Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs coach Kenny Hill)
By Morgan Huizar
Edinburgh (Oct. 25, 2025) — The University of the Incarnate Word suffered a shocking blowout loss to UTRGV at Vaccar Stadium in a stunning 56-28 loss.
Vaqueros started off the game hot with a touchdown pass from Eddie Lee Marburger to Redshirt Sophomore Tight End Ismael Smith Flores giving the home team the early 7-0 lead. Both defenses stepped up, not allowing a single score until Marburger found Smith Flores once again late in the first quarter, giving UTRGV a two-touchdown lead.
The second quarter was all in favor of UTRGV. Less than forty-five seconds into the second quarter, Marburger found Nathan Denney, graduate running back, for another touchdown pass giving UTRGV a 21-point cushion.
Four minutes later, the red-hot Eddie Lee Marburger used his legs for another UTRGV touchdown, giving UTRGV a comfortable 28-point lead.
After the Vaqueros scored early twice, both defenses clamped down once again until there was a little over a minute left in the first half. Within a short time, Marburger threw a touchdown pass to Xayvion Noland giving UTRGV a 35-0 lead and shutting out the Cardinals for the first time this season.
To start the second half, the Cardinals fast paced offense would strike, when EJ Colson, Redshirt Freshman Quarterback, connected with All-American senior wide receiver Jalen Walthall for a touchdown cutting the deficit to twenty-eight.
Five minutes later, the Cardinals offense struck again when Colson used his legs to find the endzone once again cutting UTRGV lead 35-14.
After stellar defense by both teams, UIW broke through once again when Harlan Dixon, Southeast Louisiana transfer running back, ran it in for the two-yard touchdown, giving the Cardinals a fighting chance late in the game.
With a minute to go in the third quarter, Eddie Lee and the Vaqueros scored again when Marburger connected with wide receiver Tony Diaz pushing the Vaqueros lead 42-21.
During the fourth quarter, the Vaqueros would ultimately secure the win against the Cardinals scoring two more touchdowns to the Cardinals one touchdowns giving them a resounding 56-28 win over UIW.
With this loss, the Cardinals moved to 2-6 overall and (0-4) in conference play. You can catch the next game on ESPN+ on Saturday, November 1, 2025, as they take on the Lamar Cardinals for homecoming.
