Game & Playoff Facts

1. Matchup of Elites: The game is a clash between two top-12 offenses and top-8 defenses in Division II. Harding ranks No. 3 offensively and No. 1 defensively, while Northwest Missouri State is No. 12 offensively and No. 8 defensively.

2. Historic Home Streak: The Bisons are riding a 21-game home winning streak, which is the second-longest active streak in D2.

3. Playoff Nemesis: Harding is seeking its first-ever win against Northwest Missouri State, having lost all four previous meetings, which were all in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Team Record Facts

4. National Statistical Dominance: Harding is the NCAA Division II leader in four major statistical categories:

   • Rushing Offense (460.1 yards per game)

   • Total Defense (232.5 yards per game)

   • Scoring Defense (6.4 points per game)

   • Red Zone Defense (37.5% score rate)

5. Record-Breaking Defense: The Bisons' defense allowed only nine touchdowns in the regular season, shattering the previous team regular season record of 12 set in 1962.

6. Unprecedented Rushing Attack: Their 460.2 rushing yards per game and 8.44 yards per rush would both be NCAA D2 records, showcasing a historically dominant ground game.

Key Player Facts

7. QB Cole Keylon's Experience: Quarterback Cole Keylon will make his 52nd career start, boasting a stellar 47-4 record as a starter. He is the program's career leader in pass efficiency (196.7).

8. FB Andrew Miller's Efficiency: Fullback Andrew Miller ranks 2nd in D2 with a highly efficient 8.85 yards per carry and is 3rd in D2 with 19 rushing touchdowns. He needs only 67 yards to hit 3,000 career rushing yards.

9. SB Braden Jay's Career Mark: Slotback Braden Jay, the GAC Offensive Player of the Year, is the HU and D2 career leader in yards per rush (12.6) and is one of only two Harding players with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

10. LB Clark Griffin's Tackling Record: Linebacker Clark Griffin, the GAC Defensive Player of the Year, is the NCAA D2 active leader with 392 career tackles and is the HU NCAA-era leader with 44.0 tackles for loss (TFL).

11. P Luke Mammana's Field Flipping: Punter Luke Mammana ranks 2nd at HU in career yards per punt (41.9) and has consistently pinned opponents deep with 7 of 18 punts placed inside the 20-yard line this season.