After several losses this season, the Harding Bison football team is in a must-win situation in the Homecoming matchup against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers this Saturday.
Although the Bisons go into this weekend’s game against OBU 3-5, only one of those losses (Henderson State) is to a Great American Conference opponent. Since Harding’s three remaining games this season are all against conference opponents, there is still hope for a conference championship. But the Bisons will have to get past Ouachita Baptist first.
OBU is currently the top team in the GAC at 4-0 in conference play. If Harding traps the Tigers, the Bisons will then be tied for first in the conference at 4-1 with an opportunity to win out and become conference champions.
“The stakes are high this week, but every week to me is a must-win approach,” junior quarterback Kelvin Martin said. “I think we match up pretty evenly. I feel we have the better team and if we play like we’re capable of then we’ll be fine. If anyone is going to stop us it will be ourselves, not OBU.”
The Bisons have lost 20 out of 34 fumbles in their seven games this season. Opponents have just nine turnovers, losing six. Most of the Bisons’ offensive success has come from the running game, racking more than 2,500 yards on the ground so far. But the number of turnovers has canceled out that impressive statistic.
Two weeks ago, the Bisons had several bright spots on offense but lost in a close one at Northeastern State 49-41. Quarterbacks Kelvin Martin and Chaz Rogers and running back Kale Gelles combined for more than 300 yards rushing. The Bison offense finished the game with 450 yards on the ground, but fumbled the ball four times. Despite Harding’s big numbers on offense, the final result of the game came down to a special teams play.
The Bisons’ potential game-winning field goal was blocked and returned 72 yards for a touchdown to hand Harding its fifth loss this season.
On a brighter note, the Bisons bounced back, putting a beating on the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs 70-28 last Saturday. The offense racked up 479 yards rushing, the second highest in program history. The defense also stepped up, holding the Bulldogs to just 75 yards rushing on 19 carries. The Bisons hope to continue their success against OBU this week.
Even with all of the Homecoming activities, Martin said the team is still focused.
“There’s really not any extra pressure because OBU doesn’t control our destiny, we do,” Martin said. “Homecoming just makes the game a more fun environment.”
Kickoff is at First Security Stadium at 3 p.m. following the new Jim Citty Football and Athletic Training Complex dedication.
