Win puts Harding in rare air
On a weekend where a number of NCAA Division II ranked teams were facing litmus tests, Harding showed that it belonged among the nation’s elite.
The Bisons scored the final 31 points to beat previously unbeaten Ouachita Baptist 41-10 and take charge of the Great American Conference. But that victory didn’t just put Harding (7-0, 7-0) in a situation where it controlled its own GAC championship destiny. Beating the Tigers, who were ranked in the NCAA Division II top five at the time, put the Bisons in a prime spot to secure a postseason berth.
The top seven teams from the Super Three Region advance to the playoffs, and the win catapulted Harding from No. 9 to No. 6 in the overall rankings. The first regional polls, which will list the top 10 teams from each region, are expected to be released next week, so the Bisons will almost certainly be in that group regardless of what happens this week against Southern Arkansas.
There’s also the expectation that OBU, now ranked No. 14, will be included in those initial region rankings as well if it’s able to get past Arkansas Tech on Saturday. Still, that 31-point win over the Tigers was sweet for Harding.
The Bisons had dropped three of the previous four games against the Tigers, including a 21-13 setback on the road in 2022. That loss also contributed to Harding not being included in last year’s postseason.
Bur if the Bisons are able to win out, it’s likely that they’ll be hosting a postseason game on the third Saturday in November. If last week’s crowd at First Security Stadium in Searcy was any indication, fans will come out in droves for a playoff game.
“There’s no doubt that this was the best atmosphere that I’ve ever been a part of anywhere on the Division II level,” Harding Coach Paul Simmons said. “Our fans were unbelievable, and the student section was fantastic. We brought lots of extra bleachers in, and [fans] filled it up. I’m telling you, Harding football is coming.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re moving fast. We’re nowhere near where we want to be, but [Saturday] was a big step.”