Skip To Main Content

Harding University Athletics

2024 Football at Grand Valley St. - NCAA
44
Winner Harding HAR 12-1 , 10-1
26
Grand Valley St. GVS 11-2 , 6-1
Winner
Harding HAR
12-1 , 10-1
44
Final
26
Grand Valley St. GVS
11-2 , 6-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
HAR Harding 0 17 14 13 44
GVS Grand Valley St. 7 0 6 13 26

Game Recap: Football |

Harding Advances in NCAA Division II Playoffs with 44-26 Win over Grand Valley State

ALLENDALE, Mich. — No. 4 Harding's rushing attack proved unstoppable in a snowy showdown at Lubbers Stadium, as the Bisons defeated Grand Valley State 44-26 in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Saturday.

Andrew Miller led the charge for Harding, rushing for a career-high 202 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns, joining teammate Blake Delacruz (212 yards vs. Colorado School of Mines in 2023) as the only Bisons to rush for more than 200 yards in a playoff game. The Bisons amassed 475 yards on the ground, scoring six touchdowns. Braden Jay rushed for 94 yards on 11 carries. Both Miller (1,068) and Jay (1,064) surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the game.

Harding (12-1) advances to face Ferris State in the Super Region 3 final, scheduled for next Saturday in Big Rapids, Michigan.

The Bisons weathered the snowy conditions, taking a 17-7 lead into halftime. A 34-yard quarterback keeper by Cole Keylon set up a 20-yard field goal by James Satterfield, giving Harding the 10-point cushion.

Dre Hall's sack of Grand Valley quarterback Ike Udengwu on the Lakers' first possession of the second half marked his 25th career sack, breaking the school record. Defensively, Harding held Grand Valley to 223 total yards, including only 44 rushing yards. Clark Griffin and Darion Dunlap-Johnson led Harding with eight tackles each. Griffin became only the fourth Bison in the NCAA era and first since current Harding safeties coach Sam Blankenship (130 in 2017) to make 100 or more tackles in a season. Kendale Allen broke up three passes.

Harding extended its lead to 31-7 with eight seconds left in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Delacruz. Grand Valley's Kellen Reed responded with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Lakers couldn't close the gap. Delacruz rushed for 53 yards and moved past Romo Westbrook (3,154, 2011-14) for third at Harding in career rushing yards with 3,171.

Josh Strickland, Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown run with 4:07 remaining helped seal the win for Harding.

Grand Valley State ended their season with an 11-2 record.



 
Gallery: (11-30-2024) 2024 Football at Grand Valley St. - NCAA
 
Print Friendly Version