The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has announced that it will add Oklahoma Panhandle State to its 2026 football schedule, setting up a non‑conference clash that will take place at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
A non‑conference test for the Cardinals
The matchup marks the second time the two programs have met, with UIW holding a 1‑0 edge after a victory in 2009, a game that remains a footnote in the Cardinals’ early history.
Oklahoma Panhandle State, a member of the Sooner Athletic Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, finished the 2025 season with a 3‑7 overall record and a 2‑6 mark in conference play, a performance that underscores the challenge the Aggies face as they move up to NCAA Division I competition.
UIW’s broader 2026 slate also includes contests against Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and Texas State Bobcats, while the Cardinals’ first Southland Conference game is slated for September 19 against Houston Christian, followed by matchups with UTRGV, McNeese, Northwestern State, Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin, Lamar, Southeastern Louisiana and East Texas A&M.
The scheduling move reflects UIW’s intent to test its program against a diverse set of opponents, using non‑conference games to build depth and visibility as the team looks to cement its place in the Southland Conference.