East Texas A&M Completes Stunning Comeback To Beat UIW In Thriller
After jumping out to a 21-point lead, the Cardinals watched a potential statement win unravel.
The night began like a statement win for the Incarnate Word Cardinals, but it ended as a gut punch.
UIW raced out to a 21-point lead in front of the home crowd at Benson Stadium, but East Texas A&M’s offense flipped the script, erasing a three-touchdown deficit to stun the Cardinals, 52–45.
For much of the first quarter, UIW looked like a team ready to reassert itself in the Southland Conference race. Quarterback EJ Colson was sharp out of the gate, leading his team on four scoring drives in five possessions as the Cardinals racked up nearly 200 total yards in the opening 15 minutes. Running back Jaylon Spears ran through the Lions for two early scores, and the Cardinals led 28–7 early in the second quarter.
But then, momentum shifted. East Texas A&M, down 21, mounted a steady comeback thanks to a balanced running and passing attack. Running back E.J. Oakmon punched in a 1-yard run, and quarterback Ron Peace found Devin Matthews on a 39-yard touchdown strike, shrinking the deficit to 28-21.
