98-yard TD march turned tide | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Harding's ground attack usually takes a toll on opponents at some point during a game. But there was a drive in particular in its showdown last week with Southern Arkansas where it was truly evident.

The Muleriders were trailing 10-0 midway through the second quarter when they put together a drive that took them from their 39 to inside the Bisons' 20. On first down from the 15, SAU (2-1, 2-1 Great American Conference) appeared to have scored a touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Adam Parker to Katrevion Dean.

But it was called back because of an offensive pass interference call. After a 2-yard rush, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the Muleriders back even further, which eventually resulted in them punting back to Harding (3-0, 3-0).

The good news for the Muleriders, at least at that moment, was the punt pinned the Bisons at their 2. The bad news, though, was that there was still time left on the clock.

With 2:49 remaining in the half, Harding drove 98 yards in 11 plays -- 9 of which were runs -- and took a 17-0 lead when Cole Keylon bulldozed his way in for a 2-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left.

"I tell you what, it's amazing how fast the game changed," Harding Coach Paul Simmons said. "You talk about toughness, resolve. To get the ball on the 2-yard line ... take it 98 yards right there and use all the clock was huge."

SAU managed to get off one final play before time expired inthe half, but Parker was intercepted by Zach Valcarcel. As if Harding's late second-quarter score wasn't gut-wrenching enough for the Muleriders, the Bisons took the third-quarter kickoff and got a 31-yard touchdown run from Braden Jay to finish off a quick two-play, 76-yard possession that upped their lead to 24-0.

That hole proved to be too steep for SAU to crawl out of as it dropped a 31-12 decision.

"That's why we love deferring," Simmons said in reference to winning the game-opening coin toss and choosing to play defense first. "We love getting the ball first in the second half. And boy, that kind of took the wind out of their sails, that big drive."

The 98-yard march was the second longest scoring drive in the league this year behind the 99-yard trek that Ouachita Baptist had in its game with Arkansas Tech on that same night. OBU also had a 97-yard scoring possession against East Central (Okla.) earlier in the season.

Harding, which is still ranked No. 2 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II top 25, and OBU will renew acquaintances Saturday in a battle between teams who were picked first and second, respectively, in the league's preseason poll. The two also shared the conference title a year ago.

ARKANSAS TECH

Clamping down

Arkansas Tech (3-0, 3-0) has not only improved on offense this season, its defense has also been one of the better units in the GAC.

The Wonder Boys, who are third in the conference scoring at 34.7 points per game, have allowed just 33 points, and that ranks second in the conference behind the 19 points Harding has given up. Arkansas Tech's mark is also the seventh- lowest in NCAA Division II. A year ago, the Wonder Boys finished seventh in the league in scoring defense.

Also, Arkansas Tech is currently fourth in the GAC in total defense, which is two spots higher than where it ended in 2024. But what the team has been able to do on that side of the ball shouldn't be a surprise, considering the pedigree that Roy Thompson built for himself before he became the team's head coach.

Ouachita Baptist routinely had one of the top defenses in the nation during Thompson's stint as the Tigers' coordinator from 2016-24. Once he took over the Wonder Boys, he handed that title over to Frank Espy, who was also a part of Thompson's defensive staff at OBU.

Arkansas Tech, which is off to its best start since 2017, has had two players named GAC Defensive Player of the Week already. Linebacker Julien Lopez received the honor after the opening week, while defensive back Diego Sanchez recently gained that accolade after logging 7 tackles, including 2 behind the line of scrimmage, and 1 interception in the Wonder Boys' 28-23 victory over OBU last Saturday.

HENDERSON STATE

Mr. Do It All

On Monday, Andrew Edwards became just the third player in the GAC's 15-year existence to be named player of the week at least 10 times following his big outing in Henderson State's 48-18 win over the University of Arkansas at Monticello last Saturday.

In the process, the senior entered even rarer territory.

Edwards was 19 of 28 for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 71 yards rushing with a 7-yard scoring run and caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Micah Greene. That output allowed him to become the second GAC quarterback ever to have passing, receiving and rushing touchdowns in a single game.

Those numbers helped enable Henderson State (3-0, 3-0) to keep pace with Harding and Arkansas Tech atop the league standings. The Reddies also entered the American Football Coaches Association Division II top 25 for the first time this season when they checked in at No. 24.

"I think we're doing a good job overall," Henderson State Coach Greg Holsworth said. "Just like everything, it can always be a little better. There are things that come up week in and week out where there are little details to clean up.

"What I would say is I think that our execution has been pretty high. We have an interesting blend, with us being a young team in spots and a veteran team in other spots. Our veterans are playing some good ball with a lot of consistency, and our young guys are making a lot of good plays. But I think our effort has been high, and our practice habits have been good, especially after Game 1."

ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO

Good things happening

Despite its winless mark, there are some positive things happening for the University of Arkansas at Monticello (0-3, 0-3).

Quarterback Tavion Faulk is fourth in the conference in total offense (201 yards per game) and passing yardage (577), and Chasden Collins is seventh in all-purpose yardage (101 yards per game). Collins is also the second-best kick returner in the GAC with a 22.9-yard average.

Also, Amari Cox has a league-high three touchdown catches. Dylan Duhon is averaging 42.4 yards per punt, which is second in the GAC. Two spots back at fourth is his teammate, Tanner Steenbock, who is averaging 41.1 yards a punt.

AROUND THE GAC

Ouachita Baptist linebacker Justin Crutchmer is tied for third in NCAA Division II in fumbles forced with three. The Oklahoma State transfer, who was an all-state pick at Lake Hamilton in high school, is also tied for the top spot nationally with two fumble recoveries. ... Harding kicker Magnus Lepak was chosen as the GAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The junior made a 33-yard field goal, hit all three of his extra-point attempts and had three touchbacks in the Bisons' win over Southern Arkansas. ... The 119 yards Southern Arkansas had on the ground last week against Harding was 107 yards below its season average, but it remains second in the GAC in rushing. The Muleriders' 226-yard rushing average is also 17th in the nation. ... Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Oklahoma State staged a pair of road upsets last week that caused some shuffling in the GAC standings. Southern Nazarene had lost four of its previous five games to East Central (Okla.) before winning 17-13 last Saturday. Southwestern Oklahoma State was beaten in six of its previous seven meetings with Southeastern Oklahoma State until it won 35-14 last Saturday. ... Arkansas-Monticello and Northwestern Oklahoma State are the only teams in the conference that have yet to log a victory.