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Harding University Athletics

0
Ark.-Monticello UAM 1-1 , 1-1
24
Winner Harding HU 1-1 , 1-1
Ark.-Monticello UAM
1-1 , 1-1
0
Final
24
Harding HU
1-1 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UAM Ark.-Monticello 0 0 0 0 0
HU Harding 14 10 0 0 24

Game Recap: Football | | by Scott Goode (9/14/19)

No. 22 Harding Blanks UAM, 24-0

SEARCY – Harding junior cornerback Cory Batie intercepted two passes, returning one for a TD and the second to set up a field goal, and led the Bisons to a 24-0 victory over Arkansas-Monticello Saturday in Great American Conference action at First Security Stadium.

The shutout was Harding's first in 55 games against Arkansas-Monticello and moved the 22nd-ranked Bisons to 1-1 on the season and in GAC games. The Bisons have won nine straight against the Weevils, who managed only 158 total yards and fell to 1-1.

Harding scored all of its points in the first half, driving 67 yards on five plays on its first possession and scoring on a 5-yard Cole Chancey run. It was his sixth TD in three games against the Weevils and the 30th rushing TD of his career.

Arkansas-Monticello drove 42 yards on its next possession, its longest drive of the game. The Weevils had 3rd-and-4 at the HU 27 when Batie stepped in front of a Caleb Canady pass at the HU 25 and took the interception 75 yards down the sideline to give the Bisons a 14-0 lead with 7:31 left in the first quarter.

A blocked punt by sophomore Cade Pugh set up Harding's second scoring drive. The Bisons took over at the UAM 36. On the second play of the drive, Malik Mathews took a pitch around the right end for 14 yards down to the UAM 18. Five plays later, Tristan Tucker scored from 3 yards out, and Harding led 21-0 with 3:34 left in the half. Tucker led Harding in rushing with 10 carries for 99 yards.

Batie struck again just before halftime. A Harding fumble gave UAM the ball at Harding's 32. Three plays later, on 4th-and-12, Canady overthrew his intended receiver and Batie had his second interception. He ran this one back 77 yards to the UAM 6. With just seven seconds left before halftime, freshman Grant Ennis kicked a 23-yard field goal for what turned out to be the last points of the game.

Batie's returns were the fourth and sixth-longest interception returns in program history. His 152 interception return yards broke the Harding record of 100 return yards by Bershard Tillman against Northeastern State in 1999. In addition to his interceptions, Batie tacked on five tackles, including a tackle for loss, and broke up two other passes.

Harding rushed for 344 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Chancey had 96 rushing yards on 15 carries and moved past Park Parish for sixth place on Harding's career rushing list with 2,466 yards.

The Bisons held the Weevils to only 11 first downs and 41 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Canady completed 20-of-37 passes for only 117 yards. Harding also allowed only 2-of-14 third-down conversions and sacked Canady twice.

Harding returns to action next Saturday on the road against Southern Arkansas in Magnolia. The Muleriders are 2-0 after defeating Oklahoma Baptist 30-28 Saturday at home on a 48-yard field goal with no time remaining.













 
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