Written by Nic Fraraccio // Graphic by Makayla McDonald
The Harding football team extended its NCAA Division II best winning streak to 10 games last Saturday by defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State University 62-0.
The ninth-ranked Bisons were efficient on both sides of the ball against the Rangers. Harding tallied nine touchdowns in their sixth win of the season.
The Bison offense rushed for 381 yards and six touchdowns. This was Harding’s 36th game with six or more rushing touchdowns since 2010. Sophomore running back Braden Jay tallied Harding’s longest offensive touchdown of the game with a 37-yard run in the second quarter.
Junior running back Will Fitzhugh said the Harding running backs are a close-knit group that always “pull for one another.”
“It’s always special when you have so many guys who are talented and do their job well,” Fitzhugh said. “It’s fun to see everyone go out there and have success.”
The Bison defense made history on Saturday at Ranger Field. With two interceptions for a touchdown, the Bisons set a school record with 159 interception return yards. The previous record was set in 2019 with 152 yards against the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Senior defensive back Oric Walker Jr. and junior defensive back Travis Greenawalt collected the two interceptions in the fourth quarter to complete the win.
Harding’s next matchup will be a pivotal one in the battle for the Great American Conference (GAC) Championship. The Bisons will host fifth-ranked Ouachita Baptist Tigers on Saturday for a top 10 Division II matchup.
This will be Harding’s second game against a ranked opponent during the 2023 season. Harding defeated 20th-ranked Henderson State University on Sept. 23 with a final score of 27-16.
The Bisons will look for revenge against the Tigers after their previous top-10 matchup. Last season, Ouachita Baptist defeated Harding 21-13 to win their third game against the Bisons in four years.
Sophomore running back Braden Jay said this game is a crucial moment for the team and fans who support every game.
“I know for a lot of us this will be the biggest game we’ve ever played in terms of playoffs and just Harding versus Ouachita,” Jay said.
As excitement continues to build for the rivalry game, Harding students and fans are preparing to support the Bisons.
Senior Collin Slatton, an avid Harding sports fan, said he wants to see a loud and highly attended crowd at the game.
“It’s going to be a fantastic game,” Slatton said. “Record-wise, we are the best college football team in the state in the last 15 years, and it’s not even close.”
Harding will host Ouachita Baptist tomorrow at First Security Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
