Incarnate Word Cardinals

The Incarnate Word Cardinals have quickly become one of the Southland Conference's most consistent winners, playing out of Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio. Since jumping to FCS, UIW has built a reputation for explosive offense and postseason relevance, turning a young program into a conference power in a short amount of time. The Cardinals' red and gold colors have become synonymous with Southland success in the 2020s.

Incarnate Word's football program began in 2009 at the Division II level before moving up to Division I in 2013 and joining Southland Conference play in 2014. The Cardinals have won four Southland championships, in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, with the 2024 team capping a perfect 7-0 conference record with a trip to the FCS quarterfinals. UIW's rapid ascent from a startup program to a repeat conference champion is one of the more notable recent stories in FCS football.