0- 2 for somebody

Harding and Southern Arkansas were two of the preseason favorites to win the Great American Conference. One of them is hoping to avoid an 0- 2 start.

The two teams play Saturday night in Magnolia.

“Hopefully there is a sense of urgency for our guys,” SAU Coach Bill Keopple said. “There’s nothing appealing about being 0- 2 to start the season and I’m sure Harding doesn’t find anything appealing about being 0- 2.”

Harding committed three turnovers in the second half of a 28- 20 loss to Henderson State. SAU lost two fumbles, shanked a punt that led to an Arkansas Tech touchdown and was flagged 15 times for 126 yards in a 28- 21 road loss.

“We definitely had our share of penalties,” Keopple said. “There were 15 called on us and that’s a lot. It’s a lot when two teams commit 15 penalties.”

On the positive end, SAU quarterback Barrett Renner, a junior from Rowlett, Texas, completed 33 of 44 passes for 343 yards. Tanner Hudson, a senior tight end from Camden, Tenn., led all receivers with 8 catches for 73 yards.

Harding had 225 yards rushing against Henderson State, including a 109- yard effort from senior Zach Shelley.

Harding has won its last 11 meetings with SAU, including a 35- 14 victory in Searcy last season. The Muleriders have not defeated Harding in Magnolia since 1991. SAU last defeated Harding in 2003 in Searcy. Harding leads the alltime series 27- 25- 1.

“They’ve definitely had our number, but these are different teams,” Keopple said. “If history is to be believed, we wouldn’t have much of a chance, but this game comes down to these teams on this time and on this day.”

The Muleriders have been very good at Wilkins Stadium, going 4- 0 at their home stadium in 2016 and 19- 3 in Magnolia since the start of the 2012 season. Two of those three losses were to Harding.