Box Score SEARCY – When Southern Arkansas finally took the lead against Harding in the fourth quarter Saturday, it certainly didn't last long. In 22 seconds, the Harding Bisons turned a 1-point deficit into a 12-point lead on their way to a 39-33 victory at First Security Stadium.
After losses to nationally-ranked Delta State and North Alabama to open the Gulf South Conference season, Harding (2-4, 1-2) earned its first league victory and has defeated the Muleriders in four of the last five meetings. Southern Arkansas (0-5, 0-3) has lost six consecutive games dating back to last year.
Southern Arkansas trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, but slowly cut into Harding's lead by scoring touchdowns and limiting the Bisons to field goals. Clarence Wright intercepted a pass from quarterback David Knighton in the end zone and ran it back 59 yards, eventually leading to a 7-yard touchdown run by Johnson to give Southern Arkansas a 27-26 lead with 12 minutes left in the game.
Then junior Zac Ross performed a feat no Harding player had accomplished since 1989. Ross caught the following kickoff at his 14-yard line and ran it back 86 yards for a touchdown to give Harding a 32-27 lead after the two-point conversion failed. Harding had gone 786 kick returns without a touchdown.
Southern Arkansas began the next drive on its own 11-yard line, and Steve Hudson forced a fumble from quarterback Ryan McCombie. Morgan Toline recovered the loose ball in the end zone to give Harding a 39-27 lead with 11:38 left, just eight seconds after the Bisons' previous touchdown.
Johnson scored his fourth touchdown for the Muleriders and had a chance to take the lead in the last two minutes, but Toline intercepted a pass from McCombie at Harding's own 27 as the Bisons held on for the victory.
Turnovers were costly for the Muleriders as the Bisons scored 17 points from the mistakes. Harding forced a school-record six fumbles, recovering four of them. Linebacker Sevohn Greer tied a school record with two forced fumbles.
Knighton completed 29 of 50 passes for 384 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Knighton's first touchdown pass of the game, a 63-yard pass to receiver Kurt Adams, was the 70th of his career. He also exceeded career markers of 700 completions and 8,000 passing yards in Saturday's game. Adams caught four passes for 114 yards to lead all receivers.
Johnson provided almost all of Southern Arkansas' offense, rushing 31 times for 231 yards and four touchdowns. The Muleriders finished with 469 yards of offense, the first time the Harding defense has allowed less than 500 yards in seven games.
Harding place-kicker Ryan Ferrell made 4 of 5 field goals and all three of his PAT attempts to finish with 15 points scored. He was responsible for Harding's first nine points, helping the Bisons to a 23-13 halftime lead. Ferrell has made 11 of 14 field goal attempts this season.
Luke Tribble led Harding's defense with a career-high 15 tackles, the second time this season the redshirt freshman has led the team in the category. Greer finished with 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and a recovery. Jason Thomasson had 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Bisons will host Ouachita Baptist next week at First Security Stadium, beginning at 6 p.m.
