Written by Chris O’Dell
The Harding University football team will play its 51st Homecoming game Saturday. The Bisons will meet Henderson State at First Security Stadium and will be looking for its 33rd win in the 51 years of Homecoming at Harding. The Bisons are 32-16-2 all-time on Homecoming.
The game between the Bisons and Reddies will be the 45th meeting between the two programs and the 21st in Searcy. Henderson State leads the all-time series with a record of 27-16-1. However, Harding holds the edge at home against the Reddies with a 12-7-1 record in Searcy.
Harding, who has not lost to Henderson State at home since 1988, lost to H.S.U. last season on a game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds remaining for the Reddies.
The Bisons are hoping junior quarterback Josh Powell will be able to make his return under center after sustaining an injury against Southern Arkansas, which kept the transfer quarterback out of the lineup the last three games for the Bisons. Powell, a transfer from Long Beach City College, could give the Bisons an improved passing attack, which it has lacked the previous three weeks.
Last week, the Bisons started senior Zac Ross at quarterback. Ross leads the team in rushing and receiving; a feat accomplished only four times in program history. Playing under center, Ross rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown, while also passing for 202 yards and a touchdown during the Bisons’ 44-17 loss to Arkansas Monticello. If Ross gains just nine yards Saturday, the senior receiver will move into second place in career all-purpose yards at Harding.
On the defensive side of the ball, an improved Bison defense will look to stop a struggling Reddie offense that put up only 14 points last week against Arkansas Tech. The Reddies lost their Homecoming game by a score of 44-14 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium. The loss dropped Henderson State to 3-5 overall and 3-3 in the Gulf South Conference.
Looking to shut down the Reddie passing attack will be senior defensive back Josh Jones. Jones leads the GSC and is tied for second nationally with eight interceptions. Jones needs only two interceptions to tie the GSC single-season record and move into the D-II career top 10.
Head Coach Ronnie Huckeba will look to improve on an 11-17 career record as head coach of the Bisons. Huckeba, who is in his third season as head coach, has already improved several areas on the Bison football team, including a defense that struggled mightily last season.
Kickoff for the game will take place at 2 p.m. tomorrow and can be seen on TV-16 or heard on KVHU 95.3 with Billy Morgan and Jerry Mote calling the action.
