DCTF Small College Game of the Week: No. 5 Sam Houston (5-0) at No. 25 Incarnate Word (3-2)

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No. 5 Sam Houston (5-0) at No. 25 Incarnate Word (3-2)

When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio

Broadcast: ESPN+

The Matchup: A last second loss by UIW last week has set up one of the most intriguing games of the season this Saturday.

With the Cardinals loss last week, Sam Houston clinched the Southland Conference title outright along with an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

The loss also left UIW in a must-win situation to have any hopes of earning one of a mere six at-large bids to the playoffs when the selection committee releases the bracket at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

The Bearkats are not left without anything to play for this week with a win ensuring at least one home game and possibly one of the top two seeds in the playoffs, which would mean the Kats could play every game in the playoffs in the state of Texas.

The offenses for both teams can put up points aplenty with the Cardinals having a slight 238-227 advantage in total points scored this spring.

While the offense is taking all the headlines, the Kats defense is one of the best in the country and is currently 20th this spring allowing 18.2 points per game.

Special teams will also be fun to watch this week with UIW kick returner Ce’Cori Tolds and SHSU punt returner Jequez Ezzard always a threat to break a long touchdown each time they touch the ball.

Players to Watch: 

SHSU - Eric Schmid, QB, Jr, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands HS)

Jequez Ezzard, WR, Gr, College Park, Ga. (Howard)

Jahari Kay, DL, Sr, Berkeley, Calif. (Laney College)

UIW - Cameron Ward, QB, Fr, West Columbia, Texas (Columbia HS)

Robert Ferrel, WR, Jr, Sparks, Nev. (Reed HS)

Blaine Hoover, DE, Jr, Bedias, Texas (Huntsville HS)

Key to Victory: The key matchup to watch this week is the Sam Houston offense against the UIW defense.

SHSU enters the game averaging 45.4 points per game this season but has “struggled” in its past two games averaging 25.5 points while quarterback Eric Schmid has thrown two interceptions in each of the last two weeks.

The UIW defense has been porous at times this season allowing 41.8 points per game. The Cardinals have struggled to slow down their opponents in their last three games allowing 56.3 points per game.

The Cardinals defense is known to force turnovers at a substantial rate and have forced seven turnovers (four interceptions, three fumbles) this spring.

The Kats offense proves to be too much in this game.

Prediction: Sam Houston by 14

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