The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) football team concluded its season with a heavy 55-14 defeat against No. 3 South Dakota State (SDSU) in the FCS Football Championship Quarterfinals. This loss marked only the second time UIW advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Championship, showcasing both their progress and the challenges they need to overcome.
Despite showing promise early on—UIW managed to force a fumble—SDSU quickly established dominance. By halftime, they had built up a commanding 31-0 lead, with four touchdowns scored by quarterback Mark Gronowski. Gronowski completed just four passes but made them count, throwing two for touchdowns and adding rushing scores to his tally. The Jackrabbits led 31-0 at the half, leaving UIW scrambling.
UIW’s offense struggled to find its rhythm throughout the game. Nonetheless, head coach Clint Killough remained optimistic about his team's potential. "They’re back-to-back national champions for a reason," he said, acknowledging SDSU's strength. UIW attempted to mount their comeback, scoring on back-to-back drives to narrow the gap to 38-14. After falling behind, it seemed the Cardinals had found some momentum. Yet the Jackrabbits quickly responded with another wave of scoring, sealing UIW's fate.
The South Dakota State defense was suffocative, allowing only 121 yards of offense from UIW during the first half. The Cardinals finished the game with 337 total yards, but were inefficient on third down, converting only four of 15 attempts. An interception by Matthew Durrance set up SDSU's fifth scoring drive, which added to UIW's mounting frustrations.
The reality of the cold weather played its own role during the match. Temperatures dropped to 24 degrees upon kickoff. Gronowski and the Jackrabbits were well-acclimated to the chill, having practiced outdoors multiple times leading up to the game, allowing them to leverage the harsh conditions. "This was like a summer day compared to our practices earlier this week," Gronowski quipped later. Meanwhile, though UIW arrived early to prepare for the weather, it seemed they weren’t quite ready for the intensity of the match.
This game also served as redemption for South Dakota State, who had previously beaten UIW 45-24 during the regular season. The Jackrabbits demonstrated how much they had improved since their first encounter, putting on display their well-rounded offensive prowess and depth on defense.
The statistics reflected this disparity: SDSU amassed 477 yards on offense, with foundational running by Amar Johnson, who carved out 133 yards on the ground. Jackrabbit head coach Jimmy Rogers emphasized the team’s attitude toward winter football. "When it’s cold in the trenches, it’s awesome for us," he stated, proudly acknowledging his team's dominance.
On the other side, UIW quarterback Zach Calzada, facing heavy pressure from SDSU’s fierce defense, managed to complete 37 of 51 passes for 249 yards with one touchdown. The Cardinals also found it difficult using their star players effectively; receivers Roy Alexander and Jalen Walthall were contained, though they combined for 22 catches. This inability to stretch the field limited the offense’s explosiveness and effectiveness.
Looking forward, the Cardinals recognize the need to regroup for the next season. With UIW finishing the season at 11-3 and achieving the highest postseason seed ever for the program, expectations are high. Killough acknowledged the significance of reaching this level, stating, "While we encountered this setback, we can learn from this loss and improve to compete at higher levels going forward."
With the departure of key seniors like quarterback Calzada and wide receiver Alexander, UIW plans to address the challenges they faced this season. They aim to refine their offensive strategies, develop their rushing game, and bolster their defense to come back stronger. Coach Killough remains hopeful, seeing the immense growth within his program as they prepare for their next campaign.
Despite the harsh defeat, the Cardinals showed heart and determination throughout the season, laying the groundwork for future successes. This is just the beginning for UIW football, and with valuable lessons learned against top-tier opponents, they look to build on their achievements.
