Game Notes: No. 25 Harding Football Travels to Arkansas-Monticello

Game Story
Two fo the top three offenses in the Great American Conference will play Saturday in Monticello. Harding, ranked 25th in the AFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, averages a GAC-best 45.3 points per game, and Arkansas-Monticello is third with 40.7 points per game.

Harding, along with Henderson State, are the only two undefeated teams remaining in the GAC. The Bisons have outscored their first three opponents 136-28. In Arkansas-Monticello's three games, the Weevils and their opponents have combined to average more than 82 points per game.

In the latest AFCA poll, Harding moved into the top 25. The Bisons appear in the poll for the 32nd time since 2002. The last time was Oct. 5, 2015, when the Bisons were No. 22. Harding is ranked 31st on MasseyRatings.com and 36th on HeroSports.com. Arkansas-Monticello is No. 111 on Massey and No. 135 on Hero.

Harding has opened the season 3-0 for third time in the last four seasons.

The Bisons enter the game ranked No. 1 in Division II in rushing offense (417.3 yards) and time of possession (37:44). Harding is second in total defense (174.3) and third in scoring defense (9.3).

Harding senior cornerback Corey Bassett is this week's GAC Defensive Player of the Week. He had an interception and three pass breakups vs. Southern Arkansas.

Up Next
Harding hosts Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 1 at First Security Stadium. Kickoff for the Family Weekend game is at 6 p.m. Harding and Ouachita Baptist will be playing for the 58th time, the Bisons' most-contested rivalry.

The Coaches
Harding's Ronnie Huckeba is in his 10th season as head coach and 31st on the Bison staff. He has a 59-39 career record, including 50-30 in GAC games. Huckeba has announded that 2016 will be his final season. Defensive coordinator Paul Simmons will be the head coach beginning in 2017.

Hud Jackson is in his sixth season as head coach at Arkansas-Monticello. He has a 15-42 record with the Weevils.

Series History
Harding and Arkansas-Monticello are meeting for the 52nd time with Harding leading the series 27-24. The Bisons have won five straight overall and the last two in Monticello. Harding last won three straight in Monticello in 1972, 1974 and 1976.

Home/Road Records
Saturday's game against Arkansas-Monticello is the second of five road games. The Bisons are 24-24 on the road under coach Ronnie Huckeba and have won 18 of their last 24 road games. Arkansas-Monticello's lone win of the season came at home, a 35-28 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma on Sept. 10.

Last Meeting
Harding held the ball for 40 minutes, rushed for 333 yards and passed for a season-high 186 more in a 47-21 victory over Arkansas-Monticello last season in Searcy. Michael Latu rushed for 95 yards, Zach Shelley had 90 yards, and Park Parish scored four rushing TD and passed for a fifth.

Arkansas-Monticello passed for 328 yards and three TD but rushed for only 28 yards on 19 carries. Harding's defense had four sacks.

Streaks, Trends and Records
Harding has scored at least five rushing TD in each of the first three games, and scored a season-high seven at Southern Nazarene.

Harding has outgained its opponents by 853 yards in the first three games.

The Bison defense is allowing only 2.1 yards per rush and 8.5 yards per catch and has broken up 18 passes, including nine against Southern Arkansas.

No Harding opponent has rushed for more than 61 yards in a game. The Bisons last held four straight opponents below 100 rushing yards from Oct. 25-Nov. 15, 2014.

Harding has rushed for 67 first downs and allowed nine rushing first downs.

Harding has had 46 minutes, 26 seconds more possession than its opponents through three games.

Harding junior Isaiah Jefferson is the only player in Division II who has recovered three fumbles this season.

Harding quarterback Park Parish has 29 career rushing TD, ninth-most among active Division II players and third among quarterbacks.

Harding senior defensive end Trevon Biglow has 18 career sacks to rank 10th among active Division II players.

A Quick Look at Arkansas-Monticello
Arkansas-Monticello has the GAC's second-ranked passing offense, gaining 305.7 yards per game and the third-ranked scoring offense at 40.7 points per game.

Arkansas-Monticello junior Jalen Tolliver leads the GAC with 8.0 receptions per game and 153.3 receiving yards per game.

Team Leaders
HARDING
Rushing - Michael Latu: 47 carries, 271 yards, 4 TD
Passing - Park Parish: 5-of-12, 124 yards, 0 TD
Receiving - Andrew Dather: 4 receptions, 99 yards, 0 TD
Tackles - Daylan Skidmore: 16 tackles

ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO
Rushing - Imani Riley: 60 carries, 282 yards, 1 TD
Passing - Cole Sears: 58-of-112, 917 yards, 2 INT, 9 TD
Receiving - Jalen Tolliver: 24 receptions, 460 yards, 6 TD
Tackles - C.J. Hawkins: 18 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks

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Players Mentioned

#12 Corey Bassett: DB; 5' 8"; Senior

#19 Trevon Biglow: DL; 6' 1"; Senior

#18 Andrew Dather: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

#9 Michael Latu: RB; 5' 10"; Senior

#15 Park Parish: QB; 5' 10"; Senior

#28 Zach Shelley: RB; 5' 7"; Junior

#44 Daylan Skidmore: LB; 5' 11"; Senior

#24 Isaiah Jefferson: DB; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#12 Corey Bassett
: 5' 8"; Senior
: DB

#19 Trevon Biglow
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DL

#18 Andrew Dather
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR

#9 Michael Latu
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RB

#15 Park Parish
: 5' 10"; Senior
: QB

#28 Zach Shelley
: 5' 7"; Junior
: RB

#44 Daylan Skidmore
: 5' 11"; Senior
: LB

#24 Isaiah Jefferson
: 5' 9"; Junior
: DB