2023 Harding Bisons football team
2023 Harding Bisons football | |
---|---|
NCAA Division II national champion GAC champion | |
NCAA Division II championship game, W 38–7 vs. Colorado Mines | |
Conference | Great American Conference |
Ranking | |
AFCA | No. 1 |
Record | 15–0 (11–0 GAC) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive scheme | Flexbone triple option |
Defensive coordinator | Roddy Mote (7th season) |
Co-defensive coordinator | Luke Tribble (7th season) |
Base defense | Multiple |
Home stadium | First Security Stadium |
Seasons ← 2022 2024 → |
| Conf | Overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 1 Harding $^ | 11 | – | 0 | 15 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 24 Henderson State ^ | 9 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ouachita Baptist | 9 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southern Arkansas # | 9 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma Baptist | 6 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southern Nazarene # | 6 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas Tech | 5 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SE Oklahoma State | 5 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Central | 3 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas–Monticello | 2 | – | 9 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NW Oklahoma State | 1 | – | 10 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SW Oklahoma State | 0 | – | 11 | 0 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2023 Harding Bisons football team was an American football team that represented Harding University in the Great American Conference (GAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth year under head coach Paul Simmons, the team compiled a perfect 15–0 record (11–0 against conference opponents), outscored opponents by a total of 665 to 156, and won the GAC and NCAA Division II championships. The team also set an NCAA record for most rushing yards in a season with 6,161 rushing yards.[1]
The team finished the regular season ranked No. 2 among Division II programs and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they received a bye in the first round and defeated No. 6 Central Missouri (35–34) in the second round, No. 2 Grand Valley State (7–6) in the quarterfinals, and No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne (55–14) in the semifinals. Through the December 16 victory over Colorado Mines, the Bison have won 18 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in program history.[2] Harding defeated No. 1 Colorado Mines in the Division II national championship game on December 16, 38–7, to win the school's first national championship.
Harding defensive end Nathaniel Wallace was selected as the 2023 GAC Defensive Player of the Year. Paul Simmons was seleced as GAC Coach of the Year.[3]
The team played its home games at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas.[1]
Preseason
The GAC coaches preseason poll was released on August 1, 2023. The Bisons were predicted to finish second in the conference. Ouachita Baptist was favored to win the conference.[4]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 31 | 6:00 p.m. | at Southern Nazarene | No. 14 | W 53–20 | 1,754 | |||
September 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Oklahoma Baptist | No. 12 |
| W 49–10 | 2,800 | ||
September 16 | 6:00 p.m. | Arkansas–Monticello | No. 11 |
| W 59–19 | 3,100 | ||
September 23 | 6:30 p.m. | at No. 20 Henderson State | No. 10 | W 27–16 | 6,013 | |||
September 30 | 6:00 p.m. | SW Oklahoma State | No. 10 |
| W 64–0 | 2,300 | ||
October 7 | 4:00 p.m. | at NW Oklahoma State | No. 9 |
| W 62–0 | 3,213 | ||
October 14 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 5 Ouachita Baptist | No. 9 |
| W 41–10 | 5,600 | ||
October 21 | 2:00 p.m. | at Southern Arkansas | No. 6 |
| W 54–20 | 1,196 | ||
October 28 | 2:00 p.m. | at SE Oklahoma State | No. 4 |
| W 55–0 | 1,178 | ||
November 4 | 3:00 p.m. | East Central![]() | No. 4 |
| W 48–7 | 5,500 | ||
November 11 | 2:00 p.m. | at Arkansas Tech | No. 3 |
| W 56–0 | 2,347 | ||
November 25 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 6 Central Missouri* | No. 3 |
| W 35–34 | 3,500 | ||
December 2 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 2 Grand Valley State* | No. 3 |
| W 7–6 | 3,100 | ||
December 9 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne* | No. 3 |
| W 55–14 | 2,900 | ||
December 16 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Colorado Mines* | No. 3 |
| W 38–7 | 12,552 | ||
|
[1]
Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Final |
AFCA | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | т 3 (1) | 3 (1) | 1 (28) |
D2Football.com | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Personnel
2023 Harding Bisons football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
| Defense
| Special teams
|
Roster |
Game summaries
At Southern Nazarene
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 14 Bisons | 14 | 21 | 11 | 7 | 53 |
Crimson Storm | 0 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 20 |
at SNU Stadium, Bethany, Oklahoma
- Date: August 31
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 1,754
- Referee: Dan Wilson
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | HAR | SNU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 19 | 14 |
Total yards | 322 | 322 |
Rushing yards | 282 | 145 |
Passing yards | 40 | 177 |
Turnovers | 2 | 6 |
Time of possession | 33:29 | 26:31 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/3, 40 yards, TD |
Rushing | Braden Jay | 4 rushes, 63 yards | |
Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 26 yards, TD | |
Southern Nazarene | Passing | Gage Porter | 6/16, 116 yards, 3 INT |
Rushing | Gage Porter | 26 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Andrew Tisdale | 2 receptions, 74 yards |
Oklahoma Baptist
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OKB Bison | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
No. 12 HAR Bisons | 14 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 49 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: September 9
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 2,800
- Referee: Dewayne Barbee
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | OKB | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 15 | 25 |
Total yards | 238 | 513 |
Rushing yards | 9 | 382 |
Passing yards | 229 | 131 |
Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
Time of possession | 27:32 | 32:28 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma Baptist | Passing | Aidan Thompson | 27/44, 229 yards, TD, INT |
Rushing | E. J. Moore | 6 rushes, 14 yards | |
Receiving | Michael Marshall | 6 receptions, 63 yards | |
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/5, 124 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Andrew Miller | 5 rushes, 69 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Darius Brown | 1 reception, 76 yards, TD |
Arkansas–Monticello
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boll Weevils | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 19 |
No. 11 Bisons | 21 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 59 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: September 16
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 3,100
- Referee: Chuck Scott
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | UAM | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 11 | 24 |
Total yards | 217 | 463 |
Rushing yards | 34 | 424 |
Passing yards | 183 | 39 |
Turnovers | 4 | 4 |
Time of possession | 26:24 | 33:36 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Arkansas–Monticello | Passing | Demilon Brown | 18/32, 183 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Demilon Brown | 12 rushes, 15 yards | |
Receiving | Kristian Gammage | 3 receptions, 92 yards | |
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/3, 39 yards |
Rushing | Jhalen Spicer | 5 rushes, 76 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 39 yards |
Entering the game, the Boll Weevils had the top offense in the GAC, scoring 53.5 points per game, but here weld to just 217 yards of offense against Harding.[5]
At No. 20 Henderson State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Bisons | 0 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 27 |
No. 20 Reddies | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 16 |
at Carpenter–Haygood Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 89 °F (32 °C)
- Game attendance: 6,013
- Referee: Michael Catton
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | HAR | HSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 22 | 11 |
Total yards | 363 | 244 |
Rushing yards | 353 | 54 |
Passing yards | 10 | 190 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 39:53 | 19:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/4, 10 yards |
Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 31 rushes, 179 yards, 3 TD | |
Receiving | Dane Romberger | 1 reception, 10 yards | |
Henderson State | Passing | Andrew Edwards | 15/28, 190 yards, TD |
Rushing | Andrew Edwards | 6 rushes, 24 yards | |
Receiving | Timieone Jackson | 7 receptions, 96 yards, TD |
Southwestern Oklahoma State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. 10 Bisons | 7 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 64 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: September 30
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
- Game attendance: 2,300
- Referee: Brad Frisby
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SWO | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 4 | 25 |
Total yards | 79 | 587 |
Rushing yards | 29 | 462 |
Passing yards | 50 | 125 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 24:38 | 35:22 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
SW Oklahoma State | Passing | Sean Shelby | 5/9, 26 yards, 2 INT |
Rushing | Troy Henderson | 5 rushes, 16 yards | |
Receiving | Elijah Reed | 3 receptions, 29 yards | |
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 5/6, 125 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Andrew Miller | 7 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Will White | 1 reception, 50 yards, TD |
Quarterback Cole Keylon completed five passes, each going to a different receiver.
At Northwestern Oklahoma State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 9 Bisons | 14 | 28 | 7 | 13 | 62 |
Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Ranger Field, Alva, Oklahoma
- Date: October 7
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 3,213
- Referee: Dan Wilson
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | HAR | NWO |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NW Oklahoma State | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
No. 5 Ouachita Baptist
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tigers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
No. 9 Bisons | 7 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 41 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: October 14
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 64 °F (18 °C)
- Game attendance: 5,600
- Referee: Darin Lair
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | OUA | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ouachita Baptist | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
The no. 9 Bisons downed the no. 5 Tigers, handing Oauchita Baptist its first loss of the season.[6][7]
At Southern Arkansas
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Bisons | 14 | 10 | 21 | 9 | 54 |
Muleriders | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
at Memorial Stadium, El Dorado, Arkansas
- Date: October 21
- Game time: 2:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny, 86 °F (30 °C)
- Game attendance: 1,196
- Referee: Dewayne Barbee
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | HAR | SAU |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Southern Arkansas | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
At Southeastern Oklahoma State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 4 Bisons | 21 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 55 |
Savage Storm | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Paul Laird Field, Durant, Oklahoma
- Date: October 28
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Rain, 54 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 1,178
- Referee: Michael Catton
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | HAR | SOU |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
SE Oklahoma State | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
East Central
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
No. 4 Bisons | 7 | 14 | 21 | 6 | 48 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: November 4
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 5,500
- Referee: Darin Lair
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | ECU | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
East Central | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
The Tigers were held to just 134 yards of total offense while Harding only attempted two passes, both of which were incomplete.[8]
At Arkansas Tech
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Bisons | 14 | 28 | 7 | 7 | 56 |
Wonder Boys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Simmons Bank Field, Russellville, Arkansas
- Date: November 11
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 2,347
- Referee: Frank Wittenberg
- Box score, Recap
Statistics | HAR | ATU |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | ||
Rushing yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Turnovers | ||
Time of possession |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Arkansas Tech | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
No. 6 Central Missouri (NCAA Division II Second Round)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Mules | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
No. 3 Bisons | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: November 25
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 50 °F (10 °C)
- Game attendance: 3,500
- Referee: Craig Demaree
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | UCM | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 27 | 20 |
Total yards | 534 | 418 |
Rushing yards | 109 | 384 |
Passing yards | 425 | 34 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Time of possession | 24:18 | 35:42 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Central Missouri | Passing | Zach Zebrowski | 34/44, 425 yards, 5 TD |
Rushing | Zach Zebrowski | 16 rushes, 94 yards | |
Receiving | Arkell Smith | 9 receptions, 150 yards, 3 TD | |
Harding | Passing | Zach Strickland | 1/1, 26 yards |
Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 34 rushes, 154 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Ty Dugger | 1 reception, 26 yards |
The Mules scored a touchdown with less than 30 seconds in regulation, needing an extra point to tie the game and potentially send it into overtime. However, Harding defensive lineman Gage Price blocked the game-tying PAT, securing the 35–34 victory for the Bisons.[9]
No. 2 Grand Valley State (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 2 Lakers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
No. 3 Bisons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 53 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 3,100
- Referee: Cecil Harrison
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | GVS | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 10 | 15 |
Total yards | 222 | 225 |
Rushing yards | 62 | 205 |
Passing yards | 160 | 20 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Time of possession | 19:31 | 39:14 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Valley State | Passing | Cade Peterson | 10/19, 123 yards |
Rushing | Khalil Eichelberger | 2 rushes, 31 yards | |
Receiving | Darrell Johnson | 5 receptions, 63 yards | |
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/3, 20 yards |
Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 28 rushes, 70 yards | |
Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 20 yards |
In the quarterfinal round of the NCAA division II playoffs, Harding hosted no. 2 Grand Valley State from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Lakers entered the game with one of the best defenses in all of division II, holding opponents to an average of 17 points per game. The Lakers' defense held the Bisons scoreless for just over 56 minutes of game time before Harding quarterback Cole Keylon scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown.[10]
No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne (NCAA Division II Semifinals)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 11 Bears | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
No. 3 Bisons | 14 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 55 |
at First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas
- Date: December 9
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 2,900
- Referee: Chris Glass
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | LRU | HAR |
---|---|---|
First downs | 14 | 26 |
Total yards | 336 | 500 |
Rushing yards | -3 | 431 |
Passing yards | 339 | 69 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 19:17 | 40:43 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Lenoir–Rhyne | Passing | Sean White | 23/33, 270 yards, INT |
Rushing | Deondre Lester | 1 rush, 12 yards | |
Receiving | Deondre Lester | 8 receptions, 139 yards, TD | |
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/3, 69 yards, TD |
Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 21 rushes, 147 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Roland Wallace | 1 reception, 65 yards, TD |
Vs. No. 1 Colorado Mines (NCAA Division II Championship Game)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Bisons | 7 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
No. 1 Orediggers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at McKinney ISD Stadium, McKinney, Texas
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 12,552
- Referee: Bryan Earl
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | HAR | CSM |
---|---|---|
First downs | 21 | 18 |
Total yards | 548 | 341 |
Rushing yards | 502 | 71 |
Passing yards | 46 | 270 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 36:10 | 23:50 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/2, 46 yards |
Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 27 rushes, 212 yards | |
Receiving | Roland Wallace | 2 receptions, 46 yards | |
Colorado Mines | Passing | John Matocha | 24/33, 270 yards, TD, INT |
Rushing | Landon Walker | 6 rushes, 56 yards | |
Receiving | Max McLeod | 14 receptions, 153 |
Statistical accomplishments
On offense, Harding prioritizes the run game, averaging over 400 rushing yards per game. In a game against Southern Arkansas on October 21, the team rushed for 631 yards and had two players (Braden Jay and Blake Delacruz) each tally over 200 rushing yards.[11]
On defense, the team has recorded four shutouts and has allowed per-game averages of 10.92 points, 74.2 rushing yards, and 158.62 passing yards.[12]
The team's individual statistical leaders include:
- Blake Delacruz with 1,149 rushing yards and 114 points scored;
- Cole Keylon with 546 passing yards;
- Braden Jay with seven receptions for 164 yards;
[12]
Harding became the first team in NCAA history to rush for over 6,000 yards in a single season.
References
- ^ a b c "2023 Football Schedule". Harding University. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "No. 3 Harding vs. No. 6 Central Mo. -- GAME NOTES". November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Simmons named GAC Coach of the Year". The Daily Citizen. November 17, 2023.
- ^ "#theGAC FOOTBALL COACHES VOTE OUACHITA BAPTIST AS PRESEASON FAVORITE". August 1, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ "Harding Bisons roam past UA-Monticello Boll Weevils, 59-19". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. September 16, 2023.
- ^ Erick Taylor (October 14, 2023). "Plenty on the line for Tigers, Bisons". Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
- ^ Bob Wisener (October 16, 2023). "Bisons clobber Tigers in Searcy, lead GAC". The Sentinel-Record.
- ^ Sydney Dungen (November 8, 2023). "No. 4 Harding rushes past ECU for 14th straight win". The Ada News.
- ^ "Harding outlasts Central Missouri in playoff thriller". The Sentinel-Record. November 26, 2023.
- ^ Josh VanDyke (December 3, 2023). "Late touchdown helps Harding upend Grand Valley State football in D2 quarterfinals". Mlive.com.
- ^ "No. 6 Harding Tops 600 Rushing Yards; Blasts SAU 54-20". Harding University. October 21, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 Football Cumulative Statistics". Harding University. Retrieved December 6, 2023.