Box Score
SEARCY – Harding University senior tailback Kyle Wess rushed for a career-high 200 yards and reserve tailback Ardell Briggs rushed for two touchdowns as the Bisons defeated Arkansas-Monticello 29-21, Saturday in Gulf South Conference action at First Security Stadium.
Harding (2-2, 1-1) entered the game with the fourth-ranked passing offense in NCAA II, but found holes early and often with its running attack. The Bisons raced to 324 rushing yards on 51 attempts and passed for only 67 yards.
Arkansas-Monticello (1-3, 1-1) managed only 65 rushing yards but received two touchdown passes from quarterback Elijah McDonald. The sophomore entered the game with only two touchdown passes in the Boll Weevils’ first three games.
The Bisons found the endzone first when Briggs scored on a 16-yard run to give Harding a 7-0 lead with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter. Harding moved ahead 13-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback David Knighton broke away for a 42-yard touchdown run, his longest career rush second rushing score of the season. Senior kicker Ben Davis hit the upright with his extra point attempt and Harding led 13-0.
UAM finally reached the scoreboard with four seconds remaining in the first half when quarterback Chris Humes passed to Elijah McDonald for a 5-yard touchdown. The three-play, 18-yard drive came after a 39-yard interception return by junior linebacker Michael Fox.
Harding scored a safety in the third quarter when UAM snapped the ball over the punter’s head out of the endzone to give the Bisons a 15-7 lead with 8:20 left in the period.
Harding defensive back Robert Towns intercepted a pass from Humes late in the third quarter, his first of the season. It was Towns’ 11th career interception, tying him with head coach Randy Tribble on the all-time list.
Early in the fourth quarter, UAM drove inside Harding’s 10-yard line but failed to score and surrendered possession on downs. Harding’s defensive stop marks the first time the Bisons have stopped a team from scoring a touchdown inside the red zone in 2006.
Knighton connected with wide receiver Jonathan Paulson for a 5-yard touchdown. It was Knighton’s 10th touchdown pass of the season, and Paulson’s second touchdown reception in the last two games. UAM answered minutes later when Matt Fryfogle scored on a 1-yard run to cut Harding’s lead to 22-14 with 8:16 left in the game.
On the ensuing UAM kickoff, Harding’s Patrick Nicks returned the ball 94 yards to the 6-yard line. Nicks’ kickoff return was the second longest in school history and the longest in First Security Stadium history. The longest was 96 yards by Bill Watts against Arkansas Tech in 1969. The Bisons scored three plays later on a touchdown run by Briggs, giving Harding a 29-14 lead.
McDonald’s second touchdown pass of the game, a 46-yarder to Jamie Dunn closed the Harding lead to eight points, but UAM’s last possession faltered as time ran out.
Wess became the eighth Harding rusher with 200 yards in a game. The last time a Bison reached the 200-yard marker was in 2001 when Robert Lolohea accumulated 209 yards against West Alabama.
Harding senior nose guard Justin Currie led the Bison defense with seven tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack.
The Bisons take play their second straight home game next Saturday against West Alabama. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
