The Bisons go for their ninth win this Saturday, Nov. 15, in the regular season finale against Arkansas Tech University (ATU) at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
A win Saturday will give Harding nine wins for the third consecutive year and a chance to extend their season into the NCAA tournament bracket starting Nov. 22.
“Our team has talked about the rankings,” senior defensive captain Romas Roberson said. “We have to focus on what we can control, and that is beating Tech this weekend for a chance to remain in a good position.”
ATU has the worst ranked offense in the Great American Conference (GAC). Tech is ranked last in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense in the GAC. According to Roberson, ATU might play right into the Bisons’ hands.
“We have noticed that they are a run first type team, which is something we are really good at stopping,” Roberson said. “If we take care of our assignments, things will go in our favor on Saturday.”
Tech averages a mere 69.1 rushing yards a game, compared to Harding’s top ranked rush defense that allows only 76.9 rushing yards a game.
With the Bisons still fighting to reach the postseason, Roberson said this game has a lot of implications, and coming out Saturday beating a conference rival will give them what they need to reach their season long goals in getting to the playoffs.
Harding’s offense has a different challenge when it comes to rankings. ATU’s strong point on defense is their ability to stop the run. Tech is ranked third in the GAC, giving up 117.9 yards rushing a game, but they will have their hands full with the Bisons top-ranked rushing attack.
“They have a very talented defense that plays aggressive and with energy,” senior offensive captain Mike Thompson said. “But I believe we have just as talented of an offense, and it should make for a great match-up.”
The Bisons average 394 rushing yards per game — the best in the GAC — and over a 100 rushing yards more per game than the second ranked rushing offense of Ouachita Baptist. The Bisons have been hard to stop on the ground and will look to put pressure on Tech’s defense.
“We need to be physical up front and dominate from the start,” Thompson said. “We must be efficient and execute at a high level like I know we are capable of doing.”
With Saturday’s game being the last regular season game and postseason hopes still unpredictable, Thompson said his message to the team this weekend is simple: “Love the guy next to you, have fun and remember why you play this game.”
The Bisons recently moved up in the NCAA regional rankings to No. 6 in super region three. The postseason tournament allows only the top six teams per region to enter the postseason bracket, and the Bisons will need to win to have any chance of staying in sixth and getting a berth into the playoffs.
The Bisons look to #BeatTech this Saturday at 2 p.m. at First Security Stadium. Harding will also be recognizing their seniors before the game.
