SHAWNEE, Okla. – Harding scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, two of them following fumbles forced by the defense, and the Bisons defeated Oklahoma Baptist 45-14 Saturday at Crain Stadium. The win was the first for Harding first-year head coach Paul Simmons.

In all, Harding's defense forced four turnovers and scored 28 points off those miscues. Harding's only turnover came on a long pass just before halftime.

Harding improved to 1-3 overall and in the GAC with the victory. Oklahoma Baptist fell to 0-4 overall and in conference. Harding now leads the all-time series 3-0.

How it Happened

With the score tied 14-14 at halftime, Harding marked 70 yards, all on the ground, on its first possession of the third quarter. Harding quarterback Terrence Dingle scored the second of his three touchdowns from 3 yards out with 9:41 left in the third quarter.

Harding's defense forced two fumbles from Oklahoma Baptist quarterback Preston Haire on the next two drives. Devyn Comer forced a fumble at the OKBU 16-yard line that Danny Harry recovered and returned to the 10. Two plays later, Matt Fuller scored on a 1-yard run to give Harding a 28-14 lead.

Corey Batie forced the next Haire fumble at the OKBU 47. Ben Trotter recovered that fumble and returned it 13 yards. Six plays later, Dingle scored from 3 yards out with his third touchdown of the game. Harding led 35-14 with 1:50 left in the third.

Tristan Parsley added a 38-yard field goal with 5:52 left in the game.

Harding's final touchdown came on a 47-yard interception return by V'Onte Williams, his second interception of the season.

In the first half, both teams scored on their opening drives. Harding went 81 yards on nine plays and scored on Cole Chancey's 8-yard run. Oklahoma Baptist responded with a 65-yard drive that ended on a 13-yard scoring pass from Preston Haire to Isaiah Mallory.

Harding took a 14-7 lead on a 54-yard scoring drive that came after junior cornerback Frank Herbert made his first interception of the season and seventh of his career.

Oklahoma Baptist made a change at quarterback on its next possession, and Dez Stegall led his team on a 75-yard drive and tied the game at 14-14 with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Cagney Roberson.

Harding had a 194-135 lead in total offense. Harding rushed for 152 yards on 32 carries. Cole Chancey rushed 14 times for 67 yards in the first half.

Facts and Figures

Harding rushed for 309 yards, its second straight game with more than 300 rushing yards. Harding held Oklahoma Baptist to 76 rushing yards and only 226 total yards.

Cole Chancey led Harding with 94 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Terrence Dingle scored three touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career. Park Parish was the last Harding player to score three times in a game, last season against Arkansas Tech.

Harding had been outscored 35-7 in the third quarter in its first three games before outscoring Oklahoma Baptist 21-0 in the third Saturday.

Oklahoma Baptist's Isaiah Mallory entered the game as the GAC's leading rusher at 117.3 yards per game. Harding held Mallory to 28 yards on 10 carries before Mallory left the game with an injury in the third quarter.