Postgame Interviews
PITTSBURG, Kan. – Harding scored five big-play touchdowns, but Pitt State scored on eight straight offensive possessions, including seven touchdowns, and defeated the Bisons 59-42 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium.
Pitt State, the No. 3 seed in NCAA Super Region 3, advances to meet No. 2 seed Minnesota State-Mankato next Saturday in Minnesota.
Harding, making its third straight postseason appearance, finished 9-2 for the third straight season.
For the first time since Harding began using the flexbone offense in 2011, the Bisons had more passing yards in a game than rushing yards. Harding passed for 307 yards and rushed for 229 for 536 total yards.
Harding quarterback Keenen Kellett completed 9-of-17 passes for 307 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Donatella Luckett had four catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns, and senior fullback Romo Westbrook rushed 11 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Pitt State quarterback Anthony Abenoja completed 25-of-45 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns.
Harding stunned Pittsburg State with three long scoring runs early in the game. On Harding's second drive, senior fullback Alapeti Magalei broke through the line for a 25-yard touchdown run. Senior fullback Romo Westbrook then scored on Harding's next possession on a 70-yard run, and reached the end zone again on an 81-yard run with 7:42 left in the second quarter.
Pitt State scored on their next eight possessions and scored four touchdowns following Harding fumbles.
The Gorillas scored three touchdowns in the final 5:31 of the first half. Abenoja scored on a 9-yard run and completed touchdown passes to Austin Panko (9 yards) and Gavin Lutman (19 yards) to tie the game at halftime.
Pitt State scored on its opening drive of the third quarter, going 78 yards on 11 plays with Abenoja connecting with Panko . It was the first touchdown Harding allowed in the third quarter this season. The Gorillas capitalized on a Harding fumble at the HU 31 with a double reverse pass from wide receiver Bradley Argabright to Panko for a 31-yard touchdown, Pitt State's fifth straight score.
Another Harding fumble on only the second sack allowed by the Bisons all season led to a 38-yard field goal by Connor Frazell. Pitt State led 38-21 with 2:06 left.
Harding scored three passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to keep the game close. Luckett scored on a 50-yard screen pass and caught a pass on a crossing route and went 82 yards for a touchdown. Harding's last score was a 13-yard touchdown pass from Kellett to Andrew Dather.
Pitt State's three fourth-quarter touchdowns came on Michael Rose's 14-yard run, a 9-yard pass from Abenoja to Kyle Schwartz, and on a 28-yard fumble return from Heath Wilson.
