A decade ago Incarnate Word was barely a blip on the McNeese State radar.

Now, the Cardinals are the center of the Cowboy universe.

“This is a big-time game because they are the conference frontrunner,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “It is the next challenge for our program.”

It is a big one.

UIW enters Saturday’s showdown 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the Southland Conference. The Cards are coming off a 55-10 beatdown of Nicholls last week and ranked 13 and 14 in FCS nationally.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. inside Benson Stadium, where the Cardinals have won 20 of 21 games since 2019.

After losing the first four games against McNeese by a combined 181-69 score, UIW has won five of the last six in the rivalry with their margin of victories at 25.2 points (207-81).

“They are as good as advertised,” said Goff. “They are a very, very talented football team.”

McNeese (4-3, 1-1) is coming off a bye week and in the middle of four straight road games. The Cowboys are also hoping to get some big pieces back from the injury list, including All-American linebacker Micah Davey who returns after missing four games.

“I want to get back to playing aggressive football,” said Goff. “We are capable of playing much better than we have.”

Davey will be joined on defense by safety Boogis Silvera, who will play despite his hand being wrapped. Silvera missed the last game against HCU.

“I will be good to go,” said Silvera. “We are excited at the opportunity to play them.”

The Cowboys have been up and down this season, beating No. 25 Weber State one week and then getting run over by Houston Christian the next. Now they hope to find their footing to make a playoff push over the final five games.

“Everything is in front of us,” said Goff. “It is a very important game for us.”

The pressure will be on the Cowboy defense. Led by quarterback Zach Calzada, who was 25 of 33 for 270 yards and five touchdowns last weekend. That earned him SLC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Calzada is seventh in passing yards (1,663) on the FCS level and sixth in total offense (293.2 a game). He is also second in TD passes with 18, two behind the leader

“We will need all hands on deck,” said Davey. They barely leave any room for error. You have to do your job on every play.”

Calzada will try to find a bevy of talented receivers led by Jalen Walthall, who tops the SLC with 39 catches for 649 yards and nine touchdowns. Roy Alexander is third with 42 grabs for 462 and three scores.

You can also throw in former McNeese speedster Mason Pierce into that group.

The Cowboys are hoping to have a healthy Clifton McDowell at quarterback. McDowell was forced out of the game at HCU two weeks ago with an injured finger on his throwing hand.

McDowell is a dual-threat who has been a catalyst to the Cowboy offense. He is likely a game-time decision. He is third in the league in total offense at 237.3 a game.

If he can’t go, redshirt freshman Kamden Sixkiller will make his second start of the season and first since Week 3. The Cowboys will try to use the run game to keep the Cardinal offense on the sideline.

“We have to be able to run the football,” said Goff. “We also have to connect on our big shots. We need to make this a tough game.

“We can’t let it get away early. This is a team you can not turn the ball over on. You can not give them a short field.”

McNeese did lead UIW last year 24-7 at halftime before backup QB Richard Torres rallied the Cardinals with three TD passes and ran for a fourth in the second half.

The Cowboys hope that they can pull off the upset and make a statement of their own.

“We still have everything to play for,” Davey said. “Crazy things happen in college football every day. Every game is an opportunity, let’s go out there and shock the world.”

A McNeese win would do just that.