San Antonio isn’t exactly a secret in the football world. Everyone knows the Alamodome and the massive high school stadiums that dot the Texas landscape. But if you weren't paying attention to the corner of Broadway and Hildebrand about fifteen years ago, you might have missed a literal revolution.
Incarnate Word Cardinals football didn't even exist in 2008. Think about that for a second. While other programs were celebrating centennials, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) was just trying to figure out where to put a practice field.
It started small. Division II small. Now? They’re a perennial threat in the FCS playoffs, a high-octane offensive juggernaut that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. It wasn't a slow build, either. It was a rocket ship.
The G.J. Kinne and Eric Morris Effect
You can't talk about this team without talking about the "Air Raid" disciples who swung through San Antonio. Honestly, the coaching tree growing out of UIW is getting a bit ridiculous. Eric Morris arrived in 2018 and basically decided that punting was a suggestion, not a requirement. He brought a brand of football that was fast, fun, and—more importantly—effective.
Then came G.J. Kinne.
Kinne took what Morris built and turned the volume up to eleven. In 2022, the Cardinals didn't just win; they humiliated people. They averaged over 50 points per game. That’s not a typo. They led the nation in scoring offense, and for a few months, Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium was the most dangerous place in Texas for a visiting secondary.
The 2022 season was the peak (so far). A 12-2 record. A trip to the FCS semifinals. They were one play away from the national championship game, losing a 35-32 heartbreaker to North Dakota State. But the message was sent: UIW wasn't just a "Southland Conference team." They were a national brand.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Cameron Ward and the Quarterback Factory
Success in this system requires a specific type of athlete. You need a quarterback who can process information faster than a MacBook.
Enter Cameron Ward.
Before he was a household name at Washington State and Miami, Ward was a zero-star recruit running a Wing-T offense in high school. Nobody wanted him. UIW took a chance. In the COVID-shortened Spring 2021 season, Ward won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS. He was a magician. Sidearm throws, no-look passes, and a level of poise that looked totally out of place for a kid who had barely thrown the ball in high school.
When Ward left for the Power Five, the factory didn't stop. Lindsey Scott Jr. stepped in and somehow got better stats. Scott won the Walter Payton Award—the FCS equivalent of the Heisman—after accounting for 60 total touchdowns in 2022.
It’s a pattern now.
The Cardinals have become the premier destination for transfer quarterbacks who want to put up video game numbers. If you're a QB and you see the UIW logo, you know you're going to have the green light to rip it 50 times a game.
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Why the Southland Conference Matters
For a while, there was talk about UIW moving to the WAC. It almost happened. They actually committed to it and then, in a wild 11th-hour pivot, decided to stay in the Southland Conference.
It was a smart move.
The Southland has its flaws, sure, but it provides a clear, manageable path to the postseason. By staying, UIW maintained their rivalries with schools like McNeese and Nicholls while essentially becoming the "big fish" in the pond. They’ve dominated the conference lately, and that guaranteed playoff spot is worth its weight in gold for recruiting.
Living in the Shadow of UTSA
It’s the elephant in the room. San Antonio is a "Roadrunners" town lately. UTSA’s rise under Jeff Traylor has been meteoric, and they pull the lion's share of local media coverage.
But here’s the thing: UIW doesn't need to be UTSA.
The Cardinals offer something different. It’s a private school vibe. The stadium is intimate. You’re right on top of the action. While UTSA is fighting for AAC relevance, UIW is fighting for national titles at the FCS level. There’s room for both, but the "little brother" narrative is starting to fade as UIW keeps knocking off FBS opponents. Ask Nevada. Ask Texas State. They’ve learned the hard way that the Cardinals don't care about your scholarship count or your conference tier.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
Real Talk: The Challenges of a Small Program
It isn't all sunshine and 60-point games.
UIW faces the same struggle every successful FCS school deals with: the Transfer Portal. When you develop a zero-star recruit into a superstar, the big schools come calling with NIL money that a small private university simply can’t match. It’s a constant cycle of rebuilding.
Also, coaching stability is an issue. When you win as much as UIW does, your head coaches get poached. Morris went to North Texas (after a stint at Washington State). Kinne went to Texas State. Current coach Clint Killough—a UIW alum himself—is now the man tasked with keeping the culture consistent. He played there. He coached there. He knows the DNA of the program better than anyone.
What to Expect Next
If you're looking to follow Incarnate Word Cardinals football, you need to throw out your traditional expectations of "balanced" football. They are going to throw. They are going to go for it on fourth down. They are going to play a brand of "organized chaos" that is exhausting to watch and even more exhausting to defend.
The goal now is simple: Frisco.
The FCS National Championship is played in Frisco, Texas. For a school in San Antonio, that’s a "home" game waiting to happen. They’ve been to the semis. They’ve won the conference. The only thing left to do is hoist the big trophy.
To stay ahead of the curve with this program, keep an eye on their late-cycle recruiting. They specialize in finding the guys that the Big 12 and SEC overlooked—the "tweener" receivers and the quarterbacks with "funky" mechanics who just happen to win games.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the "UIW Quarterback" Metric: Whenever a new QB transfers in, check their adjusted completion percentage. The UIW system relies on quick releases, not just arm strength.
- Follow the Southland Schedule: The games against Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls usually determine the conference champion. Circle those on your calendar early.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal Outflows: If UIW loses fewer than three starters to the FBS in an off-season, consider that a massive win for their depth and a sign of a deep playoff run.
- Check Out a Home Game: If you're in Central Texas, go to Benson Stadium. It’s one of the few places where you can see a high-level Division I offense in a setting that feels like a high-intensity high school playoff game.