SEARCY — The Harding University football team, now 10-0, has the top spot in the second NCAA Division II Super Region 4 rankings released Monday. This ranking puts the Bisons in line to host games as the top seed in their bracket for the upcoming national playoffs.
The Bisons, who recently clinched the Great American Conference (GAC) title, also maintained their No. 2 ranking in both the AFCA Top 25 Poll and the D2Football.com Poll, receiving two first-place votes in the AFCA poll. The current 10-0 season is the third perfect regular season start in program history, following the 2016 and 2023 national championship campaign. It is Harding's 88th straight appearance in the AFCA Poll. (Former Bison Jordan Allison is the #88 honored in the story image).
The Bisons will play their final regular season game Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. against Arkansas Tech in Russellville before the 32-team NCAA Division II playoff field is announced this Sunday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. Central Time on NCAA.com.
Harding's success is built on a foundation of national statistical leadership:
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No. 1 in Division II in five major categories: rushing offense (449.2 ypg), total defense (223.7 ypg), passing yards allowed (126.9 ypg), scoring defense (5.7 ppg), and red zone defense (30.8%).
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The offense is also elite, ranking third in total offense (492.4 ypg) and fourth in scoring offense (47.0 ppg).
The powerful rushing attack is spearheaded by two dynamic backs:
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Andrew Miller leads the GAC in rushing touchdowns (16) and rushing yards (1,160), ranking second and seventh in D2, respectively. He also ranks second in D2 in rushing yards per carry (8.92).
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Braden Jay is a close second in the GAC with 15 rushing touchdowns and third with 934 rushing yards.
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Linebacker Clark Griffin leads the GAC and ranks ninth in D2 with 10.8 tackles per game. Defensive end Kaden Spencer is second in the GAC with 6.0 sacks.
