ALVA, Okla. — No. 2 Harding dominated Northwestern Oklahoma on Thursday, with a powerful ground game leading the Bisons to a 49-7 victory at Ranger Field. The win marked Harding's fifth straight season-opening victory and 12th consecutive win in Oklahoma.

Harding's offense was led by its rushing attack, which accounted for 484 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Cole Keylon added a touchdown pass. The Bisons jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead, with four rushing touchdowns and one passing score.

In the first quarter, Braden Jay scored on a 45-yard run and Andrew Miller added a 31-yard run. Keylon connected with Drew Porter for a 31-yard touchdown pass, Porter's first career score. Brandon Hines Jr. and Keylon each added a rushing touchdown before halftime.

Second-half scores came from backup quarterback Malik Young, who had a 23-yard touchdown run, and Ben Boehm, who scored on a 49-yard run on his first collegiate carry. Northwestern's only points came on a fumble return in the third quarter.

Harding's defense held Northwestern to just 66 total yards, including 27 rushing yards. The Bisons converted 10 of 11 third downs, while the Rangers were held to just 2 of 12.

Miller led Harding with 94 rushing yards on 12 carries, followed by Josh Strickland Jr. with 67 yards on nine carries and Jay with 64 yards on four carries. On defense, Clark Griffin had nine tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

Keylon's victory was his 37th as a starter, making him the winningest starting quarterback in Great American Conference history. Jay's 64 rushing yards moved him into seventh place on Harding's career rushing list with 2,512 yards. Griffin's nine tackles moved him into third place on Harding's NCAA-era tackles list with 285.

Harding's next game is Thursday, Sept. 11, at home against Southwestern Oklahoma.