Harding Rolls to Home Victory Over Southeastern Oklahoma

©š Jeff Montgomery/Harding University

SEARCY, Ark. — With three minutes left in the first quarter of the Oct. 31 contest between No. 6 Harding and Southeastern Oklahoma, Harding quarterback Cole Keylon angrily walked off the field, frustrated with his offense's lack of early firepower. This got fixed as Harding rolled to a 56-14 victory here at First Security Stadium.

Harding (8-1), who is ranked sixth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll, scored on its next six drives as the Bisons rolled over Southeastern Oklahoma (5-4).

Keylon only completed two passes. One of them was a 53-yard touchdown bomb to Braden Jay, who accounted for 161 total yards and 3 touchdowns in the rout.

Andrew Miller added 91 rushing yards and a score of his own, with Blake Delacruz (10 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD) and Christian Franklin (3 carries, 64 yards, 2 TDs) also finding their way into the end zone.

Southeastern Oklahoma quarterback Cergio Prerez struggled, completing only 7 of 24 pass attempts for 124 yards and 3 interceptions. Harding outgained the Savage Storm 490-274.

Game Summary

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with neither team being able to get on the scoreboard. The slow start was especially uncharacteristic for the Bisons, who punted three times in the first quarter. Miller finally got Harding on the board early in the second quarter, breaking free on a 46-yard TD run that gave Harding a 7-0 lead.

After a fumble by Southeastern Oklahoma, Jay scored the first of his two TDs in the first half to extend Harding's lead to 14-0.

The Savage Storm punched back, however. They embarked on an 8-play, 86-yard drive that culminated with a 24-yard TD toss from Perez to Kobe Jennings.

Southeastern Oklahoma's momentum didn't last long, however, as another TD run by Jay was followed by an interception by Harding.

Harding Offense Turns It On

A 53-yard strike from Keylon to Jay concluded the scoring in the first half, with Harding taking a 28-7 halftime advantage into the locker room.

Harding started the second half with a fire in its belly, forcing a three-and-out by the Savage Storm before a long TD run from Delacruz made the score 35-7. A turnover on downs by Southeastern Oklahoma led to Miller's second score of the evening, extending the Bisons' lead to 42-7.

A recovered fumble and subsequent TD run by Southeastern Oklahoma was quickly answered by two TD runs by Franklin in the fourth quarter.

Turning Point

After a slow start for a usually fired-up Harding offense, Miller broke free for a 46-yard TD run that injected new life into First Security Stadium. Harding never looked back after the game's opening score, riding the momentum to their eighth win of the season.

What It Means

After its tough loss to Ouachita Baptist, Harding has won two in a row and will travel to East Central on Nov. 9 for their final road game of the regular season. Southeastern Oklahoma will return to Durant, Okla. on Nov. 9 to take on Arkansas Tech.