FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Incarnate Word had little trouble moving the football Saturday afternoon. Holding onto it proved to be another matter.
The Cardinals piled up 606 yards of offense but committed six turnovers as No. 24 Northern Arizona handed UIW its first loss of the season, 38-28, at the Walkup Skydome.
UIW fell to 1-1 despite outgaining Northern Arizona 606-333 and producing 31 first downs compared with 18 for the Lumberjacks. The Cardinals threw for 430 yards and added another 176 on the ground.
But turnovers repeatedly erased that production.
UIW's problems began on its opening possession. The Cardinals drove inside the Northern Arizona 10 and converted a fourth down with a double reverse to Jacob Emmers, but replay showed Emmers lost possession before going down near the goal line. The ball rolled through the end zone for a touchback.
Northern Arizona turned the change of possession into a 55-yard Francisco Orduno Jr. field goal, but UIW responded quickly. Jayden Hibbler capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run that put the Cardinals ahead 7-3 late in the first quarter.
Quarterback Emmett Brown was hit as he threw on UIW's next possession, sending the ball into the hands of Jahaad Fort. The Northern Arizona defensive back returned the interception 33 yards to the Cardinals' 9, and Kenveon Stone scored two plays later to put the Lumberjacks ahead 10-7.
Stone struck again in the second quarter with a 28-yard touchdown run as Northern Arizona began creating separation.
UIW had opportunities to respond but couldn't capitalize. The Cardinals missed a 23-yard field goal and committed two more turnovers before halftime. After UIW's defense recovered a Northern Arizona fumble at its own 1, Deliyon Freeman intercepted Brown four plays later and returned the ball to the Cardinals' 24.
Northern Arizona took advantage again, with Ty Pennington finding Myseth Currie for a 13-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in the half. The score sent UIW into the locker room trailing 24-7.
The Cardinals showed life immediately after halftime.
Brown connected with Zach Phipps for a 56-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the third quarter. Phipps turned the play into one of UIW's biggest highlights of the afternoon, finishing with 125 yards on four receptions.
But every time UIW threatened to close the gap, Northern Arizona had an answer.
The Cardinals drove into NAU territory later in the third quarter but were stopped on fourth-and-1 at the Lumberjacks' 36. Two plays later, Quran Gossett broke free for a 30-yard touchdown that pushed Northern Arizona's advantage to 31-14.
Damashja Harris' 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth brought UIW back within 10 at 31-21. After the Cardinals' defense forced a three-and-out, UIW drove to the Northern Arizona 25 with an opportunity to make it a one-score game.
Instead, another turnover effectively ended the comeback bid.
Facing fourth-and-2, Brown was hit on an all-out blitz and fumbled. Jordan Pigram scooped up the loose ball and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Lumberjacks' lead to 38-21 with 8:38 remaining.
UIW answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by Lontrell Turner's 5-yard touchdown run, but the Cardinals couldn't get any closer.
Brown finished 33-of-50 for 426 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Isaiah Champagne caught 11 passes for 90 yards, while Price Morgan added eight receptions for 76 yards. UIW also received rushing touchdowns from Hibbler, Harris and Turner.
The numbers underscored how unusual the loss was. UIW more than doubled Northern Arizona's passing yardage, held a 31-18 advantage in first downs and outgained the Lumberjacks by 273 yards. But the Cardinals' six turnovers compared with just one by NAU proved decisive.
UIW now turns its attention to Southland Conference play. The Cardinals return to San Antonio to host Houston Christian at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.
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