The Incarnate Word Cardinals entered Saturday’s game against the Nicholls State Colonels as a 13.5-point favorite. They were touted as having a high-flying offense and carried a shiny preseason No. 4 national ranking. UIW quarterback Richard Torres and head coach Clint Killough were expected to carve up Nicholls’ defense and run away with the win.
However, things didn’t go as planned. The Colonels’ first-year coach, Tommy Rybacki, had some defensive tricks up his sleeve, and Nicholls stunned the Cardinals 20-6 in the first FCS and Division I game of the season.
What do the Fans Think of UIW’s loss?
The Cardinals’ offense totaled just 204 yards, and Torres struggled. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 175 yards and three interceptions. The running game was even worse, with the Cardinals gaining just 75 yards on 25 carries.
UIW had won three of the last four conference championships (2021, 2022, and 2024) and was predicted to steamroll to another in 2025.
However, things went sideways almost from the start, as evidenced by a fumble that lost 21 yards.
The Incarnate Word offense lost 21 yards after a pass went backwards
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 23, 2025
It didn’t improve as the Cardinals later gave up a pick-six to Ty Marsh that put them in a 13-3 hole. Ultimately, it was a 20-6 loss instead of an early-season celebration.
After such a poor showing, public reaction was swift and harsh.
Pete Thamel posted, “Heck of an upset in FCS. Nicholls stuns No. 4 Incarnate Word in debut of head coach Tommy Rybacki. Completely shut down heralded UIW offense.”
Heck of an upset in FCS. Nicholls stuns No. 4 Incarnate Word in debut of head coach Tommy Rybacki. Completely shut down heralded UIW offense. https://t.co/AbolNqiS9m
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 23, 2025
The reactions quickly turned harsh. “Incarnate Word QB might be the worst QB I’ve ever seen. Not even a joke, wow,” one said.
Incarnate Word Qb might be the worst QB I’ve ever seen. Not even a joke wow
— Mika (@Mikatradesmfff) August 23, 2025
Some fans even questioned Torres’ ability to play quarterback, with one saying: “Richard Torres is completely incompetent. Incarnate Word can’t continue to run out that absolute fool. Pathetic and undisciplined performance.”
Richard Torres is completely incompetent. Incarnate Word can’t continue to run out that absolute fool. Pathetic and undisciplined performance.
— Alfred Burkschmidt, MD (@BurkschmidtMD) August 23, 2025
One fan took a humorous dig: “I would’ve faded Incarnate Word hard had I known their coach was an upside down text on hat guy.”
I would’ve faded Incarnate Word hard had I known their coach was an upside down text on hat guy pic.twitter.com/uVxsPIq70d
— Dan Why-Ner (@ReallyDanWeiner) August 23, 2025
Another fan agreed the hat was a bad omen: “Incarnate Word deserved to lose specifically because of their coach’s dumb hat.”
Incarnate Word deserved to lose specifically because of their coach’s dumb hat pic.twitter.com/NIw9LS5NjF
— JARL 🅅 🄾 🄻GRUUF THE GREATER (@423VOL) August 23, 2025
Another fan summed it up as the end of an era, saying, “Today is the day the Incarnate Word offense factory died 2021-2024. RIP.”
today is the day the Incarnate Word offense factory died
2021-2024 RIP
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) August 23, 2025
Losses like this are hard to return, and harder for fans to forget. The Cardinals face Eastern Washington at Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 9 p.m. E.T.
