Written by Gary Griffin
The Harding University football team played its first home game on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Southern Arkansas, walking away with a 20-0 victory. The Bisons started the game off with a touchdown early in the first quarter by junior running back Kale Gelles.Gelles had 19 carries for over 100 rushing yards. Sophomore Chaz Rogers also carried for triple digits and a touchdown. The Bisons’ third TD came in the air when senior quarterback Josh Powell connected with senior wide receiver Kurt Adams on a 40-yard pass.See a slide show of the game here.While the offense totaled 292 yards, the defense held the Muleriders to only 164 total yards, the fewest yards allowed by Bison defense since 2002. “Our defense played every minute with passion. They had their backs against the wall and dealt with sudden changes and they responded every single time,” said head coach Ronnie Huckeba in a postgame interview with hardingsports.com. “Every time the offense and defense stepped out onto that field they worked hard and showed a true passion for the game.”Senior defensive back Eddie Russ Jr. showed that he came to play by breaking up two passes, recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass, which he returned for 18 yards. “I just wanted to have fun and let loose and that is what we did,” Russ said.Russ was named GSC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.The Bisons’ next game is at West Georgia on Sept. 16.
