COMMERCE, Texas — Zach Calzada delivered an impressive performance with 333 yards in the air, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a rushing touchdown as Incarnate Word triumphed over East Texas A&M with a score of 38-24 on Saturday, securing the Southland Conference championship.

Incarnate Word (10-2, 7-0) made history as the first team in its program to finish the conference season unbeaten. The No. 6 ranked Cardinals are set to look forward to the FCS selection show on Sunday to find out their playoff contenders.

Calzada entered the game leading the FCS in passing touchdowns, having thrown 30 throughout the season, and was sixth in passing yards with a total of 3,018. In this match against East Texas A&M, he completed 26 of 40 passes but also threw one interception.

The Cardinals’ defense shone as linebacker Darius Sanders recorded his third interception over the past two games, which set the stage for Calzada to connect with Jalen Walthall on a 43-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 14 in the second quarter.

In a crucial moment, Marcus Brown from Incarnate Word blocked a field goal attempt from 45 yards that would have put East Texas A&M in the lead at 24 early in the final quarter. Shortly after, Calzada found a wide-open Logan Compton in the end zone to score, bringing the lead to 31-24. With just 2:43 remaining, Mason Pierce found himself open as well, catching an 18-yard touchdown pass.

For East Texas A&M (3-9, 2-4), Ron Peace completed 21 of 38 passes for 165 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception, in addition to scoring on the ground.