SEARCY — Behind a historic performance from consensus All-American fullback Andrew Miller and a pair of electrifying fourth-quarter breakaway touchdowns, second-ranked Harding overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 38-24 on Saturday afternoon before 2,400 fans at First Security Stadium.
With the victory, Harding improved to 6-0 overall and 6-0 in Great American Conference play, starting 6-0 for the fourth consecutive season and the sixth time in program history (2002, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). The Bisons also extended their home winning streak to 27 games—the second-longest active streak in NCAA Division II—and pushed their conference winning streak to 21 consecutive games.
Miller delivered one of the finest games of his storied career, rushing for 229 yards on 24 carries (9.5 yards per rush) and matching the Harding single-game school record with four rushing touchdowns. His 229 rushing yards marked his fourth career 200-yard game and tied for the seventh-most in a single game in program history.
Entering the contest needing just two yards to take sole possession of second place on Harding's career rushing leader board, Miller surpassed Hall of Famer Alan "Snake" Dixon (4,214 yards, 1970–73) on the game's opening possession. Fittingly, Miller's inclusion on Bruce Feldman's The Athletic "Freaks List" this preseason stemmed in part from his real-life hobby of catching wild snakes and reptiles—and on Saturday, he officially caught "Snake" Dixon, elevating his career total to 4,442 rushing yards. Miller's four scores also increased his career touchdown total to 64, moving within two of Cole Chancey's program record (66).
After falling behind early, Harding (6-0, 6-0 GAC) relied on explosive second-half home runs to seize control. Tied 21-21 entering the second half, the Bisons took a 24-21 lead late in the third before unleashing back-to-back scoring daggers in the fourth quarter.
Leading by three early in the fourth quarter, first-year slotback Jeff Regan took an option pitch around the right edge and outraced the Savage Storm defense for an 83-yard touchdown sprint with 13:04 remaining to push the lead to 31-21. The 83-yard score tied for the 12th-longest touchdown run in Harding history.
Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-2, 4-2 GAC) countered with a 25-yard field goal by Dylan Cox with 8:58 remaining to pull within 31-24. Two plays later, Miller struck the decisive blow. Facing 2nd-and-8 from the HU 12-yard line, Miller burst through a crease between the tackles and sprinted untouched down the middle of the field for an 88-yard touchdown scamper with 8:04 left. The 88-yard sprint tied for the seventh-longest touchdown run in program history and cemented the final 38-24 margin.
Southeastern had seized momentum midway through the second quarter courtesy of two defensive touchdowns in an eight-second span. After Levay Duncan gave the Savage Storm a 7-0 lead on a 25-yard run and Miller answered with a 29-yard score in the first quarter, Southeastern struck twice on defense. Cornerback Kole McKnight intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown with 9:55 left in the first half. On the very next play from scrimmage, William Wallis scooped up a Bison fumble and returned it 20 yards to paydirt, suddenly putting the Savage Storm ahead 21-7.
Harding responded with composure. Miller trimmed the deficit with a 41-yard touchdown burst at the 5:44 mark, and third-year placekicker Dean Roberts drilled a 27-yard field goal with 24 seconds left before halftime to make it 21-17 at the break.
The Bison defense pitched a shutout in the third quarter, allowing Miller to finish a five-play, 47-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown plunge to reclaim a 24-21 lead with 5:57 left in the third.
Harding piled up 450 rushing yards on 60 carries (7.5 ypc) and did not complete a pass in three attempts. Regan complemented Miller with 134 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries (16.8 ypc), giving him back-to-back 100-yard performances. Quarterback Malik Young added 61 yards on the ground, and Josh Strickland, Jr. contributed 32 yards.
Defensively, the Bisons stifled Southeastern's ground attack, holding the Savage Storm to just 12 net rushing yards on 24 attempts (0.5 ypc) and 178 yards of total offense.
Third-year defensive end Kaden Spencer wreaked havoc in the backfield, posting a team-high seven tackles (four solo), 4.5 tackles for loss (-23 yards), and a fourth-quarter sack. Spencer's 4.5 tackles for loss tied for the third-most in an HU single game and were the most by a Bison defender since current Harding co-Defensive Coordinator Tre'von Biglow had 4.5 TFLs against Arkansas Tech in 2016. Linebacker Kyle Henry added six tackles, a 14-yard sack, and two pass breakups, while Ahmad Jenkins recorded five tackles. The secondary secured two takeaways, getting interceptions from Corey Dean in the first quarter and fifth-year rover Luke Martin with 5:39 left in the fourth quarter to snuff out Southeastern's comeback hopes.
Harding continues its two-game homestand next Saturday, Oct. 17, hosting Great American Conference rival Henderson State for Family Weekend at First Security Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Gallery: (10-10-2026) 2026 Football vs. Southeastern Okla.
