HAMMOND, La. — Zach Calzada passed for 238 yards along with two touchdowns, leading Incarnate Word to a 34-31 victory over Southeast Louisiana on Saturday. This win keeps them as the sole unbeaten team in the Southland Conference.

Eli Sawyer managed to connect with Jaylon Domingeaux on a 10-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes remaining, narrowing the gap to three points. However, following a three-and-out by the Cardinals, Chris Pierce intercepted Sawyer’s pass on the Lions’ third play of their subsequent drive.

Incarnate Word, now boasting a record of 6-2 and 3-0 in conference play, gained a mere 24 yards on five plays and had to punt once again. Nevertheless, Sawyer led his team from their 20-yard line to the UIW 41-yard line. With only 5 seconds left in the game, kicker Riley Callaghan stepped in to attempt a daunting 58-yard field goal, which unfortunately fell short.

Early in the fourth quarter, Mason Chambers intercepted Sawyer and ran it back for a 50-yard touchdown, increasing Incarnate Word’s lead to 34-23.

Sawyer completed his game with 207 yards through the air, two touchdown passes, and two interceptions for Southeast Louisiana, now at 4-5 with a 3-1 conference record.

The all-time series now stands at 7-5 in favor of Incarnate Word. In their previous encounter in San Antonio last season, the Cardinals secured a narrow 33-26 win over SLU.