Kennan envisions UIW improvement in 2017

Published Feb. 2, 2017 3:34 p.m. ET

(STATS) - Incarnate Word will kick off the 2017 season at Fresno State and play five times at home as part of an 11-game schedule that was announced Thursday.

UIW, coming off a 3-8 season under coach Larry Kennan, will visit Fresno State on Sept. 2.

In the 11-team Southland Conference, the Cardinals are the one team that will play only eight conference games - one less than the others. They will host Abilene Christian (Sept. 30), Lamar (Oct. 14), Nicholls (Oct. 28) and Central Arkansas (Nov. 11). In addition, Prairie View A&M (Nov. 16) will visit Benson Stadium in a non-conference matchup.

"It's really our first year where we had a full complement of scholarships and the ability to play for a Southland Conference championship, so it'll mean a lot more to us," Kennan said. "Everyone wants to be able to play for a Division I university with the possibility of playoffs. I feel really good about our ability to line up and play against teams in the Southland Conference."

2017 Incarnate Word Schedule

Sept. 2, at Fresno State

Sept. 9, at Sacramento State

Sept. 16, at Stephen F. Austin*

Sept. 30, Abilene Christian*

Oct. 7, at Southeastern Louisiana*

Oct. 14, Lamar*

Oct. 21, at McNeese*

Oct. 28, Nicholls*

Nov. 4, at Sam Houston State*

Nov. 11, Central Arkansas*

Nov. 16, Prairie View A&M*

* - Southland Conference game