- Overall-Oh, what could have been. Really, what should have been. 2-0 in conference play, beating a ranked team on the road, avenging an embarrassment from last year. Like all year long, the effort has been there, but the execution was lacking on the offensive side of the ball and again, on special teams. Defense played and executed. It is really hard to put into words how close this team was pulling an upset and heading back to Commerce with Southland conference control in tow, but that didn’t happen. Incarnate Word has paid their dues becoming an FCS power. They were in the Lone Star Conference from the time they launched their program in 2009 (they were independent in 2009, but officially joined the LSC in 2010). After 4 years in DII, they moved up to DI in the Southland, and they were awful. In fact, they did not have a winning record until 2018 and it was 6-5. Their success has been very recent, but like I said, they have paid their dues, gotten some good coaches and players and they have paid the price. Something to be happy about is we might be ahead quicker, but let’s get to more in depth.
- Offense-Offense was not good today. 3 turnovers which all led to scores. A fumble on an RPO play (side note, I absolutely HATE the Run/pass option. Aside from being totally useless, I have seen a lot of turnovers and negative plays on all levels of football, its just pointless and risky, but just my opinion) which led to a short field and one play later, UIW was in the end zone. A pick 6 late in the game, and a touchdown on a short field after a turnover on downs. Those turnovers don’t happen, and the offense just produces ONE touchdown, the Lions win. I have also been able to diagnose what the deal is with the offensive unit. We have a Quarterback, good skill position players, good play calling, but what we lack is an experienced and deep offensive line. QB Josh Magana was running for his life all game long and rarely had a clean pocket, but you have to give credit to UIW’s defensive line. They used their experience to get a lot of pressure on the offense. The result was an offense that moved the ball well at first but sputtered and couldn’t finish drives. The fact the offense put up 213 yards and almost won is a miracle.
- Defense-They were spectacular and their effort alone almost won The Lions this game. Picking off Zach Calzada 3 times, including a pick six that got the Lions within 3 points and the ball on a potential game winning drive. At the end of the game, they were simply gassed and were hung out to dry. This unit came to play and played so well, and again, this should have been a win with as great as the defense played.
- Special teams-The specialists once again did what they were supposed to, but the coverage units on the field goals and coverage were subpar again and that has to stop. We are leaving precious points on the board and giving up good field position on the returns. This unit needs to correct this and they have been able to, but consistency is the key.
- Going forward-After this game, I have no doubt The LIons can win out in The Southland. Notice I said CAN. Will they? I don’t know. With only having 2 home games left and having to be road warriors a lot, we are going to see how it plays out. Also, a tie for a Southland Conference title is not out of the question. Incarnate Word can be beat, the question is, who will do it? We can, we just didn’t make the most of our chance. If The Lions can win out and IWU slips up, there is hope of us lifting a trophy at the end of the year, and hope is always the best of things. Just need to combine it with some in game execution and we could be smiling at the end of the year.
Related posts
Prarie Lion Nation………We Are Lions.
The Lion Wire 
how’s that number 5 doing… is he out next week?
Have not heard yet. Hopefully he will be back.