Written by Russ Gray

The Harding University Bison football team defeated the 15th nationally ranked North Alabama Lions 29-28 in an upset game with a last-minute touchdown.This was possible thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Josh Powell to Jordan Watson in the remaining 45 seconds of game play.”We have a really good football team,” head coach Ronnie Huckeba said. “We feel that we are just as good as any other team in the conference.”The Bisons wanted to finish the season the right way, Huckeba said, adding that the Bisons faced a lot of adversity against a team with one of the toughest defenses they have faced all season.This victory gave Harding three straight wins over nationally ranked teams for the first time since 1997. Harding also defeated Delta State, ranked 12th, and Ouachita Baptist, ranked 20th this season.”We are indebted to this senior class,” Huckeba said. “They really helped establish a great culture of hard work, accountability and love amongst the members of this team.”The 22-yard touchdown pass to senior wide reciever Jordan Watson also put Watson over 2,000 reception yards for his career at Harding, now the fourth receiver in Bison history to go over 2,000 receiving yards in a career.”The Bisons led the nation in sacks within the NCAA Division II,” Huckeba said. The Bisons were close to leading the nation overall in sacks as well.The Bison defense broke the school record on sacks with 43 total sacks for the season, four of which they got during the game against North Alabama.Sophomore defensive line Josh Aldridge accounted for three tackles for loss, two of which were sacks, and two forced fumbles.”This has been a special group with a special bond,” Huckeba said. “For it to end with us realizing how good of a football team we have is very bittersweet.” This was the last game for 15 seniors on the team and the last game for Harding Bisons football team in the Gulf South Conference, as Harding will become a member of the Great American Conference next season.The new conference will not feature North Alabama, so this was the last time the Bisons would be seeing the Lions for conference games. The Lions’ defeat gave the Bisons a great finish to a great season.

Written by Russ Gray

The Harding University Bison football team defeated the 15th nationally ranked North Alabama Lions 29-28 in an upset game with a last-minute touchdown.This was possible thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Josh Powell to Jordan Watson in the remaining 45 seconds of game play.”We have a really good football team,” head coach Ronnie Huckeba said. “We feel that we are just as good as any other team in the conference.”The Bisons wanted to finish the season the right way, Huckeba said, adding that the Bisons faced a lot of adversity against a team with one of the toughest defenses they have faced all season.This victory gave Harding three straight wins over nationally ranked teams for the first time since 1997. Harding also defeated Delta State, ranked 12th, and Ouachita Baptist, ranked 20th this season.”We are indebted to this senior class,” Huckeba said. “They really helped establish a great culture of hard work, accountability and love amongst the members of this team.”The 22-yard touchdown pass to senior wide reciever Jordan Watson also put Watson over 2,000 reception yards for his career at Harding, now the fourth receiver in Bison history to go over 2,000 receiving yards in a career.”The Bisons led the nation in sacks within the NCAA Division II,” Huckeba said. The Bisons were close to leading the nation overall in sacks as well.The Bison defense broke the school record on sacks with 43 total sacks for the season, four of which they got during the game against North Alabama.Sophomore defensive line Josh Aldridge accounted for three tackles for loss, two of which were sacks, and two forced fumbles.”This has been a special group with a special bond,” Huckeba said. “For it to end with us realizing how good of a football team we have is very bittersweet.” This was the last game for 15 seniors on the team and the last game for Harding Bisons football team in the Gulf South Conference, as Harding will become a member of the Great American Conference next season.The new conference will not feature North Alabama, so this was the last time the Bisons would be seeing the Lions for conference games. The Lions’ defeat gave the Bisons a great finish to a great season.