One year after being snubbed out of an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, the UIW Cardinals ensured their name would be announced for the third time in four years when the 2024 FCS playoff bracket is revealed next Sunday following a 27-20 win over Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.

The Cardinals earned their third Southland Conference title in the last four years. It’s the first SLC championship for Clint Killough, who joined current North Texas head coach Eric Morris and Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne as head coaches to lead UIW to the SLC crown.

UIW struggled to gain control in a battle that featured one of the best offenses against one of the top defenses in FCS. SFA’s defense held the potent Cardinals offense in check throughout most of the contest. The Lumberjacks intercepted UIW quarterback Zach Calzada thrice, nearly doubling the signal caller’s total number of interceptions (4) before Saturday.

The third interception appeared to place the ‘Jacks offense in UIW territory with 3:33 remaining in regulation. Jermaine Brown intercepted Calzada at the six-yard line and raced down the left sideline across the midfield stripe before losing control of the ball, which the Cardinals recovered. A replay of the interception return was not initiated despite Brown possibly stepping out of bounds before fumbling.

The Lumberjack offense struggled for the second consecutive game without starting quarterback Sam Vidlak, who threw for 2,387 yards and 27 touchdowns in nine games this season before suffering an injury. SFA’s rushing attack garnered 2.8 yards per attempt in the contest, while Gavin Rutherford completed 21 of 36 passes for 209 yards.

SFA closes its season at home against Abilene Christian, while UIW travels to meet a suddenly hot East Texas A&M squad that has won two consecutive games. The Cardinals will learn where they land in the FCS playoffs when the bracket is revealed on November 24.