SEARCY — Braden Jay and Andrew Miller both had explosive runs to lead a dominant ground attack as No. 2 Harding routed Southwestern Oklahoma 55-0 on Thursday night in Great American Conference action at First Security Stadium.

Harding (2-0, 2-0 GAC) amassed 436 rushing yards on the night, averaging 9.3 yards per carry (ninth-best average in program history), and scored six rushing touchdowns. Southwestern Oklahoma (0-2, 0-2) was held to just 103 yards on the ground and 112 passing yards in a shutout performance by the Harding defense.

The Bisons wasted no time in establishing their presence, with Miller breaking free for a 22-yard touchdown run on their first possession. Jay followed that up with a 58-yard scoring run to extend the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter. Jay finished the game with 91 yards on just three carries. He was particularly explosive, amassing 174 all-purpose yards on only five touches, a total that included a 72-yard kickoff return. It was the fifth time in his career that Jay eclipsed 150 all-purpose yards.

Harding's potent offense continued to roll in the second quarter with touchdown runs by Josh Evans-Pickens and Josh Strickland, Jr., giving the Bisons a 28-0 lead at the half. The Bisons' offensive efficiency was on display with touchdown drives that took less than two minutes.

The second half was more of the same, with Harding adding a 36-yard field goal from Magnus Lepak to open the third quarter. Brandon Hines, Jr. added a 12-yard rushing touchdown later in the quarter.

Strickland, Jr. scored his second touchdown of the game with a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. Lepak added another field goal from 34 yards out, and Luke Janack sealed the Bisons' victory with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Bisons' defense was a brick wall, forcing five punts and three turnovers on downs. The shutout marks the continuation of a stellar defensive season for Harding, which has not allowed a touchdown in 21 opponent drives. The Bulldogs offense was particularly stifled in the second half, as they had zero total yards on their final five drives after accumulating 215 yards on their first six drives. Southwestern Oklahoma was held to just 4 of 16 on third-down conversions and went 1-4 on fourth down.

Next up, Harding will travel to play next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Southern Arkansas.