Incarnate Word Cardinals football

The Incarnate Word Cardinals football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) located in San Antonio, Texas. The program began in 2009 and originally competed in NCAA Division II as members of the Lone Star Conference. In 2013, the school moved to Division I. For the 2013 season, UIW competed as a member of the Southland Conference for all sports except football. Football competed with an 11-game schedule as an Independent. UIW began playing Southland football in the 2014 season. The team plays its home games at the 6,000 seat Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.

History
UIW held its first team practice on August 27, 2008, and began competing as an NCAA Division II independent on August 29, 2009.

Conference Affiliations

 * 2009: Division II Independent
 * 2010–2012: Lone Star Conference
 * 2013: FCS Independent
 * 2014–present: Southland Conference

Coaches
*Ivicic served as interim head coach for the final three games of 2011, completing Santiago's third season as coach

Conference Championships
UIW has won 3 Southland Conference championships, two shared and one outright. † Co-champions

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS
The Cardinals have participated in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs three times. Their combined record is 3–3.

Stadium
UIW home football games are played on campus at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. Benson Stadium was dedicated on September 1, 2008 and currently seats 6,000 people. It is named after Tom Benson and his wife Gayle, whose generous monetary donations helped start up the UIW football program. Record stadium attendance of 6,498 was recorded in a game against Houston Baptist on November 17, 2016. UIW currently has an overall home record at the stadium of 42–35.

All-time record vs. Southland teams
Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current Southland opponents:

Record against FBS competition
Overall (2–8)

Walter Payton Award winners
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding college offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors.
 * 2022 – Lindsey Scott Jr.

Jerry Rice Award winners
The Jerry Rice Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding freshman player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors.
 * 2020–21 – Cameron Ward

Southland Conference Award winners

 * Player of the Year
 * 2022 – Lindsey Scott Jr., Quarterback


 * Offensive Player of the Year
 * 2021 – Cameron Ward, Quarterback
 * 2023 – Brandon Porter, Wide receiver


 * Defensive Player of the Year
 * 2022 – Kelechi Anyalebechi, Linebacker


 * Newcomer of the Year
 * 2015 – Myke Tavarres, Linebacker
 * 2021 – Taylor Grimes, Wide receiver
 * 2023 – Zach Calzada, Quarterback


 * Freshman of the Year
 * 2018 – Jon Copeland, Quarterback
 * 2020–21 – Cameron Ward, Quarterback


 * Coach of the Year
 * 2018 – Eric Morris
 * 2021 – Eric Morris


 * Football Student-Athlete of the Year
 * 2022 – Kelechi Anyalebechi, Linebacker

Future non-conference opponents
Announced non-conference opponents as of May 23, 2024.