Box Score

MONTICELLO, ARK. - Harding rushed for three touchdowns and limited Arkansas-Monticello to only 225 total yards as the Bisons cruised to a 32-14 win Thursday night in Gulf South Conference action at Convoy-Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium. The game was part of the conference's GSC Game of the Week television package.

Harding (4-4, 2-4) surpassed the 400-yard mark offensively for the second time this season, rolling up 423 yards, including 272 in the air.

Arkansas-Monticello (1-7, 1-5) lost its fourth straight game and managed only 11 first downs against a stingy Bison defense.

After a scoreless first quarter, Harding kicker Ben Davis gave the Bisons a 3-0 lead on a 37-yard field goal with 7:06 remaining in the first half.

Arkansas-Monticello responded on its next drive, taking its only lead of the game when running back John L. Williams scored from two yards out to give the Boll Weevils a 7-3 advantage. Williams was UAM's only real offensive threat, rushing for 107 yards on 28 carries.

Harding backup quarterback David Knighton then directed the Bisons on a 15-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in Knighton's first career touchdown pass, a 10-yard connection with Heath Adams with just 10 seconds remaining in the first half. It was Knighton's first career touchdown pass. Holder Cam Rowan mishandled the snap on the extra point but ran in the conversion to give the Bisons an 11-7 halftime lead.

Harding scored the first 21 points of the second half on three touchdown runs. Blake Smith had a 15-yard scoring run in the third quarter and added a four-yard touchdown carry in the fourth. Senior Dondtray Thomas also found the endzone for the first time this season on a 13-yard scamper.

UAM added a late touchdown pass from Anthony Rodriguez to Walter Warfield.

Knighton entered the game in the second quarter in place of starter Adam Lybrand and completed 17-of-25 passes for a career-high 180 yards and one touchdown. Smith led the rushing attack with 55 yards on 10 carries, and David Feliciano hauled in a team-high five catches for 61 yards.

Harding's 225 total yards allowed was a season-best by the Bison defense. Senior rover Torrance Daniels led the squad with 12 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

The Bisons play their final road game of the season next Saturday, Oct. 22, against Delta State in Cleveland, Miss. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.