Bison Fall at Harding in Football Opener

SEARCY, Arkansas – Oklahoma Baptist ran out of steam and lost to Harding 38-7 Saturday in Great American Conference football action.
 
Harding took a 14-0 lead in the first half, both scoring drives coming after failed OBU fourth down gambles on a fourth down run and a fake punt.
 
"We had two bad calls on my part that led to scored in the first half, being too aggressive on fourth down," said OBU Coach Chris Jensen. "We battled well from there to the half, but we just ran out of gas. That's a credit to Harding. That's part of their game plan to just wear you down."
 
 The Bisons broke onto the scoreboard on a 28-yard run by Zach Shelley with 2:15 left in the first quarter and Park Parrish scored on a five-yard quarterback keeper for a 14-0 lead with 5:43 remaining in the half.
 
After a 55-yard punt by Cooper Koons, Levi Jennings sacked Parrish, who fumbled. Tanner Robertson recovered for the Bison and one play later, Isaiah Mallory plunged into the end zone from five yards out and Trey Tully added the PAT for a 14-7 game with 1:17 remaining in the half.
 
Harding took the second half kickoff and drove 72 yards on 10 plays with Dwayne Carter capping the drive from eight yards out for a 21-7 HU lead with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Harding went up 28-7 with 13:09 left in the game when Brandon Gates scored on a 16-yard run to cap a 12-play, 54-yard march.
 
The Bisons would tack on a 33-yard field goal by Tristan Parsley and a 33-yard touchdown run by Romar Reades for the final margin.
 
"If I had to go into the locker room and talk about effort, we'd be in trouble, but our effort was not the problem. We made mistakes that we can correct. Our offense can make plays to extend drives," Jensen said.
 
Dezmond Stegall passed for 123 yards on 18 of 34 attempts without an interception. Josh Pettijohn led the Bison with 66 yards receiving on seven catches.
 
OBU rushed for 58 yards. Isaiah Mallory had 23 yards on 11 carries.
 
Defensively, the Bison got  11 tackles from Brynden Pitzer.
 
The Bison host Arkansas Tech in the OBU home opener Sept. 10 in a noon kickoff from Crain Family Stadium at the Hurt Athletic Complex.