The University of the Incarnate Word has become a quarterback factory over the previous decade. The success began with former Argyle standout Jon Copeland leading the Cardinals to the program’s first Southland Conference title and FCS playoff appearance while earning freshman All-American honors in 2018.

You’ve probably heard of the guy who beat out Copeland for the starting quarterback position in 2020, considering that same man was the first player selected in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Cameron Ward arrived during the pandemic season and led UIW to the program’s first FCS playoff victory against Stephen F. Austin one week before falling inches short of defeating the defending FCS national champion, Sam Houston, in 2021. Ward earned the Jerry Rice Award, honoring the top FCS freshman in the country.

Lindsey Scott followed Ward and left his own legacy of success. He guided the Cardinals to the FCS semifinals while setting a new FCS record for touchdown passes in a season (60). Scott won the Walter Payton Award, often referred to as the FCS equivalent of the Heisman.

Zach Calzada led the UIW offense the last two seasons. The All-American and reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year will play his final collegiate season in the Southeastern Conference at Kentucky. He led the Cardinals to 20 wins over two seasons, the program’s first undefeated Southland Conference season, and the FCS quarterfinals in 2024.

“It’s a privilege to play quarterback at the University of the Incarnate Word. The No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft played here for two years, and a Walter Payton Award winner followed him,” UIW head coach Clint Killough said. “The last guy to play quarterback here was an All-American and Southland Conference Player of the Year. Now, he’s playing in the SEC, so it’s a coveted position.”

Richard Torres and Weber State transfer Richard Munoz battled throughout spring for the opportunity to lead the UIW offense in 2025. It appears Torres won the battle since Munoz entered the portal in April. Killough planned to add another quarterback through the portal before Munoz entered. Finding another quarterback is now a priority before Fall Camp begins.

Still, the offense will look different under Torres.

“(Torres) is a different style from Zach. He doesn’t have the big arm, but he’s a tremendous operator,” Killough said. “He does a good job of going at his speed and speeding up when he wants.”

The Cardinals' offense will have a new signal caller and play caller in 2025, with Killough assuming play-calling duties. UIW canceled its spring game, and many returners on offense and defense did not participate in spring practice while recovering from various offseason surgeries. Killough noted the Cardinals have played a lot of football over the last two seasons and said the spring allowed many of his young players to gain valuable experience and coaching, adding quality depth to the roster.

“This spring has been very beneficial for our newcomers, and we’re raising our floor with the amount of reps these young guys are getting,” Killough said. “The chemistry picked up after our seventh practice. (Defensive coordinator Jim) Gush had his entire defense installed by the third practice, and he loves to compete. I’m over here trying to call plays, and install the offense, and he’s getting after the head coach by calling zero blitzes. We took our licks on offense this spring.”

Killough said he has been very directional with his team during the offseason, having his coaching staff and players continue to focus on looking north.

“We talk a lot about the word north,” Killough said. “Everything we want is north of us this year, whether it’s a conference title, or going to the Dakotas for a playoff game, or the national title game in Nashville. Every team we play, except UTRGV, is north of us.”

Cory’s Take

UIW’s rapid rise to being the top FCS program in Texas has been phenomenal to watch. Clint Killough is building on the foundation set by Eric Morris and G.J. Kinne and was an integral member of their staff before being promoted to head coach. However, Killough had to replace 66 players and 10 full-time coaches as he headed into his first season.

Fans grew concerned when more players entered the transfer portal after spring practice. Still, Killough and the Cardinals continued to win games and make program history in 2024. There’s no reason to be concerned about UIW heading into 2025 despite more key pieces entering the portal in April. Killough knows how to build a roster with intention and character, and teams built on those foundations tend to win games.

- Written by Cory Hogue