The 2009 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team represented the University of the Incarnate Word in the 2009 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by first-year head coach Mike Santiago. The 2009 season was the inaugural season for UIW football and they competed as an NCAA Division II Independent, meaning they had no athletic conference affiliation in football for the season. Home games were played on campus at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. They finished the season 5–5 in their first season of intercollegiate play as a Division II Independent.
