Searcy—On a remarkable day, the No. 2 Harding Bisons not only secured a 34-28 win over No. 10 UT Permian Basin but also set a new college football rushing record. This victory in the NCAA Division II Super Region 4 Final earned them a spot in the national semifinals for the third time in their history.
The Bisons’ unique flexbone offense was in high gear, rushing for an impressive 389 yards. This pushed their season total to 6,308 yards, breaking the previous all-division record of 6,160 yards set by Harding last season. They also surpassed their own record for rushing touchdowns, finishing with a total of 80 after scoring four times on the ground in this game.
Quarterback Cole Keylon stood out, rushing for 148 yards, including a swift 50-yard touchdown. Slotback Braden Jay featured prominently as well, contributing 95 yards and two touchdowns, starting the scoring with a 55-yard run on their opening drive.
Despite Harding’s dominance, UT Permian Basin put up a fierce fight. Quarterback Kanon Gibson threw for 312 yards and contributed two rushing touchdowns, ensuring his team remained competitive. With just over eight minutes left in the game, UT Permian Basin drove 84 yards to the Harding six-yard line but missed a critical field goal attempt.
Capitalizing on this, Harding executed a near-perfect 16-play drive that chewed up the remaining eight minutes. This nursing of the clock denied the Falcons another chance to score and sealed Harding’s victory.
Harding quickly built a lead of 21-7 before the Falcons evened the score at 21-21 with a long touchdown pass. However, the Bisons answered back with a touchdown drive and a field goal just before halftime, leading 31-21.
In the third quarter, Magnus Lepak kicked another field goal to extend Harding’s lead to 34-21, but Gibson managed a short touchdown run, narrowing the gap to just six points.
Defensively, linebacker Clark Griffin was pivotal with 11 tackles. Tristan Exline from UT Permian Basin led all players with a staggering 20 tackles.
Harding’s victory marked a significant achievement in their season, showcasing their resilience and offensive prowess. As they prepare for the national semifinals next Saturday, there’s great anticipation about their next opponent and how they will continue to make history.
According to recent studies, teams that maintain a strong ground game significantly increase their chances of winning. In fact, 64% of games won in college football this season involved teams that outgained their opponents on the ground. As Harding continues to demonstrate, a solid rushing attack can be a game-changer.
With their record-breaking performance, the Bisons not only solidified their place in college football history but also captivated fans, leaving everyone eager to see what they will do next. You can follow their journey as they aim for the title.
