Skip To Main Content

Harding University Athletics

Harding University Athletics, go to homepage

Schedule

Events

Schedule
All Events
2026 Football vs. HSU - Pregame Notes Image.jpg

Football

No. 2 Harding vs. No. 15 Henderson St. -- GAME NOTES

#2 Harding Bisons (6-0, 6-0) vs. #15 Henderson St. Reddies (6-0, 6-0)
Oct. 17, 2026 • 2 p.m. • Searcy, Ark. • First Security Stadium

THE MATCHUP: Consensus No. 2-ranked Harding (6-0, 6-0 GAC) concludes a two-game homestand at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas, hosting Great American Conference rival and No. 15-ranked Henderson State (6-0, 6-0 GAC) on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m. ... marks a top-15 showdown between Great American Conference unbeatens and features two of the nation's 11 remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division II ... marks Harding's first game of the 2026 season against a nationally ranked opponent ... the contest serves as Harding's annual Family Weekend game and features a special 50th-anniversary celebration of the Bisons' 1976 AIC co-championship team.

HARDING VS. RANKED OPPONENTS: Saturday marks Harding's 74th meeting against a nationally ranked opponent since joining NCAA Division II in 1997 ... the Bisons are 33-40 (.452) all-time against ranked foes, but have established dominant form over the last three seasons, compiling a 14-3 (.824) record against ranked opponents since 2023 (6-0 in 2023, 4-2 in 2024, 4-1 in 2025) ... Harding has won five consecutive meetings against Henderson State when the Reddies have been ranked in the top 25 (28-24 at No. 4 HSU in 2014; 35-3 at No. 5 HSU in 2016; 46-21 at No. 9 HSU in 2021; 27-16 at No. 20 HSU in 2023; and 66-0 vs. No. 20 HSU in Searcy in 2024) ... as a ranked team themselves, Harding is 102-21 (.829) all-time, including a 6-0 mark this fall.

WEEK 6 RECAP (38-24 VS. SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE): Harding overcame an early 14-point second-quarter deficit by scoring 31 of the game's final 34 points to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 38-24 before 2,400 fans in Searcy ... Andrew Miller rushed for 229 yards and matched the school record with four rushing touchdowns, while Jeff Regan broke away for an 83-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run ... the Bison defense completely suffocated the Savage Storm ground attack, limiting Southeastern to just 12 net rushing yards on 24 carries (0.5 ypc) behind a historic 4.5 tackles for loss from defensive end Kaden Spencer.

FOUR CONSECUTIVE 6-0 STARTS: With the Week 6 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). Harding improved to 7-0 in 2016, 2023, and 2025.

MILLER PASSES "SNAKE" DIXON FOR SECOND ALL-TIME: 5th-year fullback Andrew Miller surpassed Hall of Famer Alan "Snake" Dixon (4,214 yards, 1970–73) on the game's opening possession against Southeastern Oklahoma State to take sole possession of second place on Harding's all-time rushing leaderboard ... Miller's 229-yard afternoon elevated his career total to 4,442 rushing yards, trailing only Cole Chancey (5,180 yards) in program history ... 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.

MILLER EYES CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECORD: Andrew Miller tied the Harding single-game school record with four rushing touchdowns against Southeastern, scoring on runs of 29, 41, 12, and 88 yards ... the performance elevated his career touchdown total to 64 rushing touchdowns, moving within just two scores of Cole Chancey's all-time program record (66).

EXPLOSIVE HOME-RUN TOUCHDOWNS: Harding unleashed two of the longest touchdown runs in program history during the fourth quarter against Southeastern Oklahoma State ... 1st-year slotback Jeff Regan took an option pitch 83 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown (tied for the 12th-longest touchdown run in HU history), and Andrew Miller iced the contest two possessions later with an 88-yard touchdown scamper untouched up the middle (tied for the seventh-longest touchdown run in program history).

REGAN'S BACK-TO-BACK CENTURY PERFORMANCES: 1st-year slotback Jeff Regan recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, carrying eight times for 134 yards (16.8 ypc) and an 83-yard score against Southeastern ... over the past three games, Regan has carried 23 times for 340 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 14.8 yards per carry.

SPENCER'S HISTORIC TFL DISPLAY: 3rd-year defensive end Kaden Spencer wreaked havoc against Southeastern Oklahoma State, compiling seven total tackles (four solo), 4.5 tackles for loss (-23 yards), and an 11-yard sack ... Spencer's 4.5 tackles for loss tied for the third-most in an HU single game—matching the mark set by current Harding co-defensive coordinator Tre'von Biglow against Arkansas Tech in 2016.

NATION'S NO. 1 RUSHING OFFENSE & TOP-3 RUSHING DEFENSE: Harding enters Week 7 leading all of NCAA Division II in rushing offense (414.5 ypg), having accumulated 2,487 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns (six more than any other team in D2) through six games ... the Bisons also rank third nationally and lead the GAC in rushing defense (64.8 ypg allowed), holding opposing ground attacks to just 2.4 yards per carry.

PASSING EFFICIENCY & HOME-RUN AIR METRICS: Despite throwing just three passes in Week 6, Harding leads all of NCAA Division II in team passing efficiency (235.98 rating) and paces the country in passing yards per completion (31.13 yards) ... the Bisons have connected on four completions of 20 or more yards this season.

SACKS ALLOWED & OFFENSIVE LINE PROTECTION: Harding is tied with Ferris State for the NCAA Division II national lead in fewest sacks allowed (0.17 per game), having surrendered just one sack this season ... the Bison front also ranks 10th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (3.33 per game).

RED-ZONE PERFECTION REACHES 23-FOR-23: Harding leads NCAA Division II with a flawless 1.000 red-zone conversion rate, scoring on all 23 trips inside the 20-yard line this season (21 touchdowns, 2 field goals) ... placekicker Dean Roberts leads the GAC in field goal percentage (.833, 5-for-6) and is a perfect 36-for-36 on extra points, totaling 51 kicking points (8.5 ppg).

DIVISION II'S ELITE TOTAL DEFENSE & FIRST DOWNS STINGINESS: The Bisons rank second in NCAA Division II and lead the GAC in first downs defense (76 allowed) ... Harding also ranks first nationally in total defense (223.2 ypg allowed), 19th in team sacks (2.67 per game), and 22nd in scoring defense (17.8 ppg) ... cornerback Corey Dean leads the GAC and ranks 12th in Division II with 0.50 interceptions per game (3 INTs).

REGAN PACES THE NATION IN KICK RETURN AVERAGE: 1st-year slotback Jeff Regan continues to hold the outright NCAA Division II national lead in kickoff return average (37.4 yards per return) ... Regan leads the GAC and ranks 12th nationally in all-purpose yardage (147.50 ypg), 21st in combined kick returns (379 yards), and 30th in rushing touchdowns (7) ... as a unit, Harding leads the entire nation in team kickoff return average (33.00 yards per return).

MILLER AMONG NCAA ACTIVE LEADERS & NATIONAL CHARTS: Andrew Miller ranks second in NCAA Division II in rushing touchdowns (14), fifth in scoring (14.0 ppg), fifth in total points scored (84), fifth in total touchdowns (14), seventh in rushing yards (824), and seventh in rushing yards per game (137.3 ypg) ... across all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, D-II, and D-III), Miller remains the active leader in career rushing yards (4,442) and career rushing touchdowns (64).

WALKER LEADS NATION IN SACKS: 3rd-year defensive end Kaleb Walker continues to pace all of NCAA Division II in sacks per game (1.17) and remains tied for the national lead with 7.0 total sacks on the season ... Walker also ranks 17th nationally and fifth in the GAC with 1.42 tackles for loss per game (8.5 TFLs, -47 yards).

SPECIAL TEAMS PRECISION: 3rd-year punter Griffin Thomas anchors a punt unit that ranks 11th in NCAA Division II and leads the GAC in net punting (40.18 yards) ... Thomas pinned three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line with zero touchbacks against Southeastern Oklahoma State, including a 33-yarder downed at the 1-yard line ... 2nd-year placekicker Dean Roberts converted a clutch 27-yard field goal before halftime and went 5-for-5 on PATs, keeping Harding's kicking unit among the nation's most dependable.

HOME WINNING STREAK REACHES 27 GAMES: Harding puts its 27-game home winning streak on the line Saturday at First Security Stadium ... the streak stands as the second-longest active home winning streak in NCAA Division II, trailing only defending national champion Ferris State ... Harding's last home defeat occurred on Oct. 15, 2022 (a 15-14 loss to Henderson State).

CONFERENCE WINNING STREAK REACHES 21: With the win over Southeastern, Harding extended its Great American Conference winning streak to 21 consecutive games ... the run represents the second-longest active conference winning streak in NCAA Division II, trailing only CSU Pueblo (RMAC).

MILLER & MARTIN LEAD D-II IN GAMES PLAYED: 5th-year fullback Andrew Miller and 5th-year rover Luke Martin both appeared in their 51st career collegiate contests against Southeastern Oklahoma State, continuing to hold the active NCAA Division II national lead in career appearances.

SCOUTING NO. 15 HENDERSON STATE: The Reddies enter Week 7 ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll at 6-0 overall and 6-0 in Great American Conference play under head coach Greg Holsworth, matching Harding atop the league standings ... Henderson State boasts one of the most prolific, balanced offenses in the nation, ranking fifth in NCAA Division II in total offense (529.5 ypg), 13th in scoring offense (41.7 ppg), 15th in passing offense (281.5 ypg), and 12th in rushing offense (248.0 ypg) ... the Reddies lead the GAC and rank second in the nation in 3rd down conversion percentage (.560) and sixth in time of possession (33:59) ... quarterback Austin Ledbetter directs the air attack with surgical precision, ranking fourth in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency (191.2 rating), third in yards per attempt (11.49), seventh in completion percentage (.684, 10 TDs, 2 INTs), eighth in yards per completion (16.64), and 17th in passing yards per game (259.6 ypg, 1,298 yards) ... wide receiver Maddox Davis is Ledbetter's top target, ranking 37th nationally in receptions per game (5.5, 33 rec, 479 yards, 4 TDs) ... deep threat Taylin Paskel ranks seventh in Division II averaging 22.85 yards per catch (13 rec, 297 yards, 3 TDs) while averaging 106.7 all-purpose yards per game ... wideout Michael Jones adds 19 catches for 398 yards (20.95 ypr, 26th in D-II) and three scores ... the Reddie backfield features a three-pronged rushing committee in Chris Gannaway (378 rush yds, 63.0 ypg), Myron Thrash, Jr. (274 rush yds, 5 TDs), and dual-threat backup quarterback Jordan Walker (261 rush yds, 5 rushing TDs; 391 passing yards, 5 passing TDs) ... placekicker Ryan McDonnell ranks 13th nationally in field goals per game (1.33, 8-of-10 FG) and 29th in scoring (8.7 ppg, 52 points) ... defensively, Henderson State ranks 18th in Division II and leads the GAC in scoring defense (16.8 ppg), fifth nationally in team passing efficiency defense (95.81 rating), 15th in turnover margin (+1.17 per game), 18th in turnovers gained (13), and 21st in 3rd down defense (.308) ... defensive end Mulumba Wa-Kalonji leads the pass rush (3.5 sacks, 6.0 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles), while safety Kenny Mosley (2 INTs) leads a ball-hawking secondary that has intercepted eight passes.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (1976 AIC CHAMPIONS): During a scheduled break between the first and second quarters on Saturday, Harding Athletics will honor members of the 1976 Bisons football team on the 50th anniversary of their Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship run ... led by Hall of Fame head coach John Prock, the 1976 team finished 5-1 in league play, clinching a share of the AIC title with a dramatic 16-13 victory over Central Arkansas before advancing to the San Jacinto Shrine Bowl.

SERIES HISTORY: 62nd all-time meeting between Harding and Henderson State ... the Reddies hold a 34-26-1 lead in the all-time series, but Harding has won eight of the last 11 meetings and three straight ... the Bisons are looking to win four consecutive games in the series for only the second time (1991, 1992, 2000, 2001).

LAST MEETING (OCT. 18, 2025): Harding defeated Henderson State 35-10 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia ... Andrew Miller produced one of the most prolific single-game rushing performances in college football history, breaking the Harding single-game school record with 298 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries (14.2 ypc) ... Miller scored on runs of 3, 75, 90, and 7 yards, with his 90-yard touchdown run standing as the longest run of his career ... Harding's defense limited HSU to 90 rushing yards and forced two takeaways.

LAST MEETING IN SEARCY (SEPT. 28, 2024): In the Reddies' last visit to First Security Stadium, No. 1-ranked Harding rolled to a 66-0 shutout victory over then-No. 20 Henderson State for Family Weekend ... the Bisons rushed for 438 yards and eight touchdowns while limiting Henderson State to just 47 total yards and three first downs.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION & 96-WEEK POLL STREAK: Harding enters Week 7 as the consensus No. 2 team in NCAA Division II in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and the D2Football.com Top 25 ... the ranking marks Harding's 96th consecutive appearance in the AFCA national top 25 poll.

GAC SUPREMACY: Harding is 94-10 (.904) in Great American Conference play since 2016 and has suffered only one conference loss by more than 10 points since 2015.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Corey Dean

#15 Corey Dean

DB
6' 0"
3rd Year
Luke Martin

#6 Luke Martin

DB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Andrew Miller

#8 Andrew Miller

RB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Kaden Spencer

#8 Kaden Spencer

DL
6' 2"
3rd Year
Griffin Thomas

#84 Griffin Thomas

K/P
6' 2"
3rd Year
Kaleb Walker

#35 Kaleb Walker

DL
6' 3"
3rd Year
Jeff Regan

#21 Jeff Regan

RB
5' 8"
1st Year
Dean Roberts

#37 Dean Roberts

K/P
5' 10"
2nd Year

Players Mentioned

Corey Dean

#15 Corey Dean

6' 0"
3rd Year
DB
Luke Martin

#6 Luke Martin

6' 1"
Fifth Year
DB
Andrew Miller

#8 Andrew Miller

6' 1"
Fifth Year
RB
Kaden Spencer

#8 Kaden Spencer

6' 2"
3rd Year
DL
Griffin Thomas

#84 Griffin Thomas

6' 2"
3rd Year
K/P
Kaleb Walker

#35 Kaleb Walker

6' 3"
3rd Year
DL
Jeff Regan

#21 Jeff Regan

5' 8"
1st Year
RB
Dean Roberts

#37 Dean Roberts

5' 10"
2nd Year
K/P
© 2026 Harding University Athletics Box 12281 Searcy, AR 72149
Phone: 501-279-4760