American college football season
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 selected as GAC Coach of the Year.[ 3]
The team played its home games at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas .[ 1]
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]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance 6:00 p.m. at Southern Nazarene No. 14 W 53–201,754
September 9 7:00 p.m. Oklahoma Baptist No. 12 W 49–102,800
September 16 6:00 p.m. Arkansas–Monticello No. 11 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR W 59–193,100
September 23 6:30 p.m. at No. 20 Henderson State No. 10 W 27–166,013
September 30 6:00 p.m. SW Oklahoma State No. 10 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR W 64–02,300
October 7 4:00 p.m. at NW Oklahoma State No. 9 W 62–03,213
October 14 6:00 p.m. No. 5 Ouachita Baptist No. 9 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR W 41–105,600
October 21 2:00 p.m. at Southern Arkansas No. 6 W 54–201,196
October 28 2:00 p.m. at SE Oklahoma State No. 4 W 55–01,178
November 4 3:00 p.m. East Central No. 4 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR W 48–75,500
November 11 2:00 p.m. at Arkansas Tech No. 3 W 56–02,347
November 25 1:00 p.m. No. 6 Central Missouri * No. 3 W 35–343,500
December 2 1:00 p.m. No. 2 Grand Valley State * No. 3 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal) W 7–63,100
December 9 11:00 a.m. No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne * No. 3 First Security Stadium Searcy, AR (NCAA Division II Semifinal) W 55–142,900
December 16 12:00 p.m. vs. No. 1 Colorado Mines * No. 3 W 38–712,552
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
[ 1]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes 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
At Southern Nazarene [ edit ]
No. 14 Harding Bisons at Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm – Game summary
Quarter
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 : Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDT Game weather : SunnyGame attendance : 1,754Referee : Dan WilsonBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 4-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 8:37. Bisons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 6:19.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 6-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 1:02. Bisons 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:03.
Second quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 3-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 12:16. Bisons 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:37.
HAR – Braden Jay 26-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Grant Ennis kick), 8:21. Bisons 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:19.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 3-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 1:05. Bisons 35–0. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:51.
Third quarter
SNU – Gage Porter 18-yard run (kick failed), 11:41. Bisons 35–6. Drive: 1 play, 18 yards, 0:08.
HAR – Cole Keylon 6-yard run (Cole Keylon run), 8:18. Bisons 43–6. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 3:17.
HAR – Grant Ennis 39-yard field goal, 3:11. Bisons 46–6. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:25.
Fourth quarter
SNU – Gage Porter 1-yard run (Kameron Van Prooyen kick), 14:55. Bisons 46–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:16.
HAR – Josh Strickland Jr. 24-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 11:28. Bisons 53–13. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 3:19.
SNU – Angel Ramirez 6-yard pass from Jarvis Davis (Kameron Van Prooyen kick), 1:30. Bisons 53–20. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:27.
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 Bison at No. 12 Harding Bisons – Game summary
Quarter
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 9Game time : 7:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)Game attendance : 2,800Referee : Dewayne BarbeeBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HAR – Jhalen Spicer 19-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 8:46. Harding 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 6:07.
HAR – Cole Keylon 7-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 3:00. Harding 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:03.
Second quarter
OKB – Luke Watkins 20-yard field goal, 13:25. Harding 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:35.
HAR – Darius Brown 76-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Grant Ennis kick), 11:39. Harding 21–3. Drive: 3 plays, 90 yards, 1:37.
OKB – Nick Harris 29-yard pass from Aidan Thompson (Luke Watkins kick), 7:20. Harding 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:31.
HAR – Will White 48-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Grant Ennis kick), 3:55. Harding 28–10. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:01.
Third quarter
HAR – Zach Strickland 72-yard fumble return (Grant Ennis kick), 9:39. Harding 35–10.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Andrew Miller 55-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 14:00. Harding 42–10. Drive: 1 play, 55 yards, 0:10.
HAR – Will White 7-yard pass from Malik Young (Grant Ennis kick), 11:30. Harding 49–10. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 2:15.
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[ edit ]
Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils at No. 11 Harding Bisons – Game summary
Quarter
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 16Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)Game attendance : 3,100Referee : Chuck ScottBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HAR – Braden Jay 14-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 10:19. Bisons 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:38.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 8-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 5:49. Bisons 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:54.
UAM – Demauryon 10-yard fumble return (kick failed), 3:40. Bisons 14–6.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 2-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 0:49. Bisons 21–6. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:42.
Second quarter
HAR – Jhalen Spicer 24-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 5:30. Bisons 28–6. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:59.
UAM – Arlie Lee 28-yard pass from Demilon Brown (kick blocked), 2:28. Bisons 28–12. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:02.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 4-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 0:47. Bisons 35–12. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 0:58.
Third quarter
HAR – Cole Keylon 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 11:05. Bisons 42–12. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:46.
HAR – Devonte Manning 0-yard fumble return (Grant Ennis kick), 10:07. Bisons 49–12.
Fourth quarter
UAM – Arlie Lee 4-yard run (Dylan Duhon kick), 13:42. Bisons 49–19. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:09.
HAR – Tyler Ross 32-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 12:46. Bisons 56–19. Drive: 2 plays, 39 yards, 0:47.
HAR – Grant Ennis 33-yard field goal, 6:30. Bisons 59–19. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 3:02.
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 [ edit ]
No. 10 Harding Bisons at No. 20 Henderson State Reddies – Game summary
Quarter
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 23Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 89 °F (32 °C)Game attendance : 6,013Referee : Michael CattonBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HSU – Kolby King 38-yard field goal, 8:00. Reddies 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:13.
Second quarter
HSU – Timieone 8-yard pass from Andrew Edwards (kick failed), 4:32. Reddies 9–0. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:10.
HAR – Braden Jay 37-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 1:46. Reddies 9–7. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:39.
Third quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 2-yard run (run failed), 8:22. Bisons 13–9. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 6:38.
HSU – Jaquarion Turner 1-yard run (Kolby King kick), 6:03. Reddies 16–13. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 2:13.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 53-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 4:31. Bisons 20–16. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:24.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 12-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 4:56. Bisons 27–16. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 7:33.
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 [ edit ]
Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs at No. 10 Harding Bisons – Game summary
Quarter
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 30Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)Game attendance : 2,300Referee : Brad FrisbyBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HAR – Roland Wallce 11-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Magnus Lepak kick), 6:15. Bisons 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 7:10.
Second quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 6-yard run (Magnus Lepak kick), 9:55. Bisons 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 4:03.
HAR – Omar Sinclair 18-yard run (Magnus Lepak kick), 4:27. Bisons 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:44.
HAR – Will White 50-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Magnus Lepak kick), 2:28. Bisons 28–0. Drive: 1 play, 50 yards, 0:08.
Third quarter
HAR – Malik Young 9-yard run (Magnus Lepak kick), 9:57. Bisons 35–0. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:53.
HAR – Andrew Miller 32-yard run (kick failed), 6:10. Bisons 41–0. Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 1:24.
HAR – Kekoa Carroll 30-yard interception return (Magnus Lepak kick), 5:12. Bisons 48–0.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Magnus Lepak 24-yard field goal, 13:46. Bisons 51–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:41.
HAR – Darion Dunlap-Johnson 23-yard interception return (kick failed), 13:37. Bisons 57–0.
HAR – Andrew Miller 81-yard run (Magnus Lepak kick), 8:00. Bisons 64–0. Drive: 2 plays, 85 yards, 0:52.
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 [ edit ]
No. 9 Harding Bisons at Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers – Game summary
Quarter
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 7Game time : 4:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)Game attendance : 3,213Referee : Dan WilsonBox 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 [ edit ]
No. 5 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at No. 9 Harding Bisons – Game summary
Quarter
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 14Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 64 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 5,600Referee : Darin LairBox 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 [ edit ]
No. 6 Harding Bisons at Southern Arkansas Muleriders – Game summary
Quarter
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 21Game time : 2:00 p.m.Game weather : Sunny, 86 °F (30 °C)Game attendance : 1,196Referee : Dewayne BarbeeBox 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 [ edit ]
No. 4 Harding Bisons at Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm – Game summary
Quarter
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 28Game time : 2:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Rain, 54 °F (12 °C)Game attendance : 1,178Referee : Michael CattonBox 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 Tigers at No. 4 Harding Bisons – Game summary
Quarter
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 4Game time : 3:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 5,500Referee : Darin LairBox 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]
No. 3 Harding Bisons at Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys – Game summary
Quarter
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 11Game time : 2:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 2,347Referee : Frank WittenbergBox 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)[ edit ]
No. 6 Central Missouri Mules at No. 3 Harding Bisons (NCAA Division II Second Round) – Game summary
Quarter
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 25Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 50 °F (10 °C)Game attendance : 3,500Referee : Craig DemareeBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
UCM – Zion Perry 30-yard pass from Zach Zebrowski (Luke Dobson kick), 11:21. Mules 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:39.
HAR – Cole Keylon 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 2:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 8:18.
Second quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 5:53. Bisons 14–7. Drive: 16 plays, 95 yards, 9:26.
UCM – Arkell Smith 5-yard pass from Zach Zebrowski (Luke Dobson kick), 3:17. Tied 14–14. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:36.
HAR – Chauncey Martin 38-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 1:08. Bisons 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 1:56.
Third quarter
HAR – Chauncey Martin 89-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 4:16. Bisons 28–14. Drive: 3 plays, 94 yards, 1:20.
UCM – Michael Fitzgerald 28-yard pass from Zach Zebrowski (Luke Dobson kick), 0:49. Bisons 28–21. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:14.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 12-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 6:52. Bisons 35–21. Drive: 16 plays, 69 yards, 8:49.
UCM – Arkell Smith 87-yard pass from Zach Zebrowski (Luke Dobson kick), 5:58. Bisons 35–28. Drive: 3 plays, 95 yards, 0:43.
UCM – Arkell Smith 6-yard pass from Zach Zebrowski (kick blocked), 0:22. Bisons 35–34. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 2:42.
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)[ edit ]
No. 2 Grand Valley State Lakers at No. 3 Harding Bisons (NCAA Division II Quarterfinals) – Game summary
Quarter
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 2Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 53 °F (12 °C)Game attendance : 3,100Referee : Cecil HarrisonBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GVS – Josh Gorball 48-yard field goal, 13:12. Lakers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 6:03.
GVS – Josh Gorball 27-yard field goal, 0:00. Lakers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 1:05.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
HAR – Cole Keylon 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 3:52. Bisons 7–6. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 8:59.
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)[ edit ]
No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne Bears at No. 3 Harding Bisons (NCAA Division II Semifinals) – Game summary
Quarter
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 9Game time : 11:00 a.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 2,900Referee : Chris GlassBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
HAR – Cole Keylon 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 8:48. Bisons 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 4:51.
HAR – Blake Delacruz 9-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 5:20. Bisons 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 3:28.
Second quarter
HAR – Blake Delacruz 4-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 9:29. Bisons 21–0. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:14.
HAR – Braden Jay 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 1:34. Bisons 28–0. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 5:39.
LRU – Zyheir Dillard 5-yard run (Jake Brown kick), 0:14. Bisons 28–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:20.
HAR – Braden Jay 89-yard kickoff return (kick failed), 0:04. Bisons 34–7.
Third quarter
HAR – Roland Wallace 65-yard pass from Cole Keylon (Grant Ennis kick), 12:26. Bisons 41–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:28.
HAR – Chauncey Martin 17-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 4:57. Bisons 48–7. Drive: 7 plays, 92 yards, 3:58.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Andrew Miller 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 9:10. Bisons 55–7. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:25.
LRU – Deondre Lester 52-yard pass from Jalen Ferguson (Jake Brown kick), 6:45. Bisons 55–14. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:25.
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)[ edit ]
No. 3 Harding Bisons vs. No. 1 Colorado Mines Orediggers (NCAA Division II Championship Game) – Game summary
Quarter
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 16Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)Game attendance : 12,552Referee : Bryan EarlBox score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
CSM – Noah Roper 2-yard pass from John Matocha (Jacob Click kick), 9:06. Orediggers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:54.
HAR – Jhalen Spicer 10-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 3:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:14.
Second quarter
HAR – Braden Jay 10-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 4:30. Bisons 14–7. Drive: 17 plays, 74 yards, 10:23.
HAR – Braden Jay 9-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 0:33. Bisons 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 2:05.
Third quarter
HAR – Braden Jay 73-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 12:58. Bisons 28–7. Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 1:59.
HAR – Grant Ennis 32-yard field goal, 4:11. Bisons 31–7. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 6:07.
Fourth quarter
HAR – Cole Keylon 1-yard run (Grant Ennis kick), 11:58. Bisons 38–7. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 4:17.
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 [ edit ]
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.
^ 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 .
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