SHAWNEE – Coming into Saturday's contest, the 23rd-ranked Harding Bisons boasted the country's leading time of possession rate, averaging the ball for 37 minutes per game. HU (4-1, 4-1 GAC) controlled the flow of the game today as they held the ball on their side for almost 20 more minutes than Oklahoma Baptist (3-2, 3-2 GAC), helping them top OBU 31-7 inside Crain Family Stadium at the Hurt Complex.
The Bison defense held the high-powered Harding rushing attack to 248 total yards, their lowest mark of the season, as they came in averaging over 387 yards per game. This is the least amount of rushing yards OBU has allowed against Harding in their six-game all-time series.
OBU compiled 267 yards of offense, including 264 through the air, which is the second-most passing yards the highly touted Harding defense has allowed all season. The Bison had 15 first downs, including 12 from the passing game.
Despite having success throwing the ball, OBU struggled to find their rhythm on the ground as Harding held Tyler Stuever and company to just three yards on the day.
Oklahoma Baptist came out on fire after Harding won the toss as the defense forced an HU fumble, stunting a 42-yard Bisons' drive. The Bison offense make quick work of HU's mistake as quarterback Preston Haire led a four-play, 42-yard drive to tally the first points of the game.
Unfortunately, Harding got back on track, and after a few OBU mistakes, the score read 24-7 in favor of HU going into the break.
In the second half, the Bison defense gained control as they only allowed one touchdown late in the fourth, but the HU defense refused to loosen their reigns and gave OBU their second loss of the year.
Preston Haire threw for 274 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Receiver Keilahn Harris led the wideouts with 96 yards on six catches and a score. Josh Cornell was most receptive of Haire today as he brought in 10 balls for 56 yards. Other notables were Julian Clarke and Michael Marshall who recorded 41 and 39 yards, respectively.
Running back Tyler Stuever was held to just 15 yards on the ground after coming into today averaging over 132 yards per game.
Defensively, Trajan Lands led the Bison with nine tackles while Matthew Norman and Josh Arnold each had eight. Arnold added a tackle for loss, bringing his season total to 12.5. Safeties Will Kohman and Felipe Alvear turned in seven tackles while Robert Lolofie collected a tackle for loss.
Linebacker Nick Boone recovered the lone fumble to accompany his six-tackle performance.
Oklahoma Baptist will look to rebound next Saturday as they travel to Russellville, Ark. for a matchup with Arkansas Tech (1-4, 1-4 GAC). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT.
