Football 10/22/2026 11:15:00 AM

No. 2 Harding vs. Ark.-Monticello -- GAME NOTES

#2 Harding Bisons (7-0, 7-0) vs. Ark.-Monticello Weevils (1-6, 1-6)
Oct. 24, 2026 • 2 p.m. • Monticello, Ark. • Willis "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium

THE MATCHUP: Consensus No. 2-ranked Harding (7-0, 7-0 GAC) heads back out on the road to Monticello, Arkansas, taking on in-state Great American Conference foe Arkansas-Monticello (1-6, 1-6 GAC) on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Willis "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium ... the Bisons enter having won 10 consecutive road contests, while remaining one of only 10 undefeated teams in NCAA Division II ... the game will be broadcast live on the Harding Sports Network via KVHU 95.3 FM.

WEEK 7 RECAP (46-16 VS. NO. 15 HENDERSON STATE): Behind a historic performance from quarterback Malik Young and a suffocating defensive effort, No. 2 Harding routed No. 15 Henderson State 46-16 in a top-15 clash of unbeatens before 3,300 Family Weekend fans in Searcy ... Young rushed for 214 yards, the most ever by an HU quarterback, and two touchdowns, while the Bisons piled up 433 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 65 carries (6.7 ypc) ... the Bisons outscored the Reddies 19-0 in the second quarter, highlighted by a blocked punt for a safety from Connor Dean, and clamped down with three fourth-quarter takeaways to pull away.

MILLER NAMED FINALIST FOR 2026 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY®: 5th-year All-America running back Andrew Miller has been named one of the elite finalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award universally recognized as the "Academic Heisman," the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday ... as a finalist, Miller is named to the prestigious 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments and receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship ... Miller becomes only the second player in Harding history to achieve the honor, following in the footsteps of his cousin, former All-American defensive back Ty Dugger, who was named a Campbell Trophy® finalist and NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 2025—marking the second consecutive season a Bison has achieved this ultimate national distinction.

YOUNG & DEAN SWEEP GAC WEEKLY HONORS: 5th-year quarterback Malik Young and 3rd-year defensive back Connor Dean were named the Great American Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, following Harding's 46-16 victory over No. 15 Henderson State ... Young collected his first career weekly honor after rushing for a school-record 214 yards and two touchdowns and converting two crucial fourth downs through the air ... Dean earned his first career weekly award after recording two fourth-quarter interceptions, three tackles, and a game-altering blocked punt for a safety.

YOUNG SHATTERS QB RUSHING RECORD & ECLIPSES 200 YARDS: 5th-year quarterback Malik Young produced a performance for the record books against No. 15 Henderson State, carrying 18 times for 214 yards (11.9 ypc) and two touchdowns (runs of 50 and 4 yards) while breaking away for a 67-yard sprint ... Young broke his own Harding single-game quarterback rushing record of 162 yards (set in Week 1 against Northwestern Oklahoma State) and became the first quarterback in the 75-season history of Harding football to surpass 200 yards on the ground in a single game.

MILLER ONE TOUCHDOWN SHY OF ALL-TIME PROGRAM RECORD: 5th-year fullback Andrew Miller rushed 18 times for 84 yards and an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter against Henderson State ... the touchdown marked the 65th rushing touchdown of his illustrious career, leaving him just one score shy of tying Cole Chancey's all-time Harding program record (66 rushing touchdowns, 2017–21) ... Miller has scored at least one touchdown in nine consecutive games and 19 of his last 20 outings ... his 84 rushing yards elevated his career rushing total to 4,526 yards, trailing only Chancey (5,180 yards) in HU history.

FOURTH 7-0 START IN PROGRAM HISTORY: With the top-15 victory over Henderson State, Harding improved to 7-0 overall and 7-0 in Great American Conference play ... this marks the fourth time in program history that Harding has started a season 7-0 (2016, 2023, 2025, and 2026) … HU improved to 8-0 in each of those three seasons.

HARDING NO. 2 IN D-II, NO. 1 IN SUPER REGION 4 IN INAUGURAL NCAA POWER INDEX (NPI): Harding holds the No. 2 overall ranking in NCAA Division II and the No. 1 ranking in Super Region 4 in the latest release of the NCAA Power Index (NPI) with a rating of 65.624 ... the NPI is the NCAA's newly implemented, objective statistical system used to select and seed the 32-team postseason field (eight teams per Super Region) for the NCAA Division II Football Championship, replacing the previous regional advisory committee ranking ballots ... calculated entirely on mathematical data, the NPI formula factors in winning percentage, strength of schedule, quality win bonuses (QWB), and home/away location weighting (awarding greater value to road victories) ... Harding's 65.624 rating trails only Super Region 1 leader Slippery Rock (66.161) across all of Division II ... the Bisons sit atop a powerhouse Super Region 4 leaderboard that currently features CSU Pueblo (No. 4 nationally, 63.751 NPI), Emporia State (No. 6, 62.666), Northwest Missouri State (No. 9, 60.103), Western Colorado (No. 14, 59.525), Central Washington (No. 18, 58.715), Central Missouri (No. 21, 57.659), and fellow GAC contender East Central (No. 22, 57.561).

NATION'S NO. 1 RUSHING OFFENSE & TOP-3 RUSHING DEFENSE: Harding enters Week 8 leading all of NCAA Division II in rushing offense (417.1 ypg), having accumulated 2,920 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns through seven games ... the Bisons also rank third nationally and pace the Great American Conference in rushing defense (63.9 ypg allowed), holding opposing ground attacks to just 2.4 yards per carry.

STINGY TOTAL DEFENSE & FIRST DOWNS DOMINANCE: The Bisons rank third in NCAA Division II and first in the GAC in total defense (231.1 ypg allowed) and third nationally in first downs defense (93 allowed) ... Harding also ranks 21st nationally in scoring defense (17.6 ppg), 20th in team sacks (2.71 per game), 25th in 3rd down conversion defense (.321), and 27th in team passing efficiency defense (112.01 rating).

PASSING EFFICIENCY & EXPLOSIVE METRICS: Operating out of the flexbone attack, Harding leads all of NCAA Division II in team passing efficiency (205.95 rating) and paces the country in passing yards per completion (28.70 yards) ... the Bisons have thrown just one interception on the season, tied for second-fewest nationally.

OFFENSIVE LINE PROTECTION & SACKS ALLOWED: Harding leads all of NCAA Division II in fewest sacks allowed (0.14 per game), having surrendered just one sack in 70 pass-and-rush drops this fall ... the Bison offensive front also ranks eighth in Division II and second in the GAC in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.43 per game).

PERFECTION IN THE RED ZONE REACHES 29-FOR-29: Harding leads NCAA Division II with a flawless 1.000 red-zone conversion rate, scoring on all 29 of its trips inside the 20-yard line this fall (26 touchdowns, 3 field goals) ... 2nd-year placekicker Dean Roberts ranks 30th nationally in field goal percentage (.750, 6-for-8) and 43rd in field goals per game (0.86), totaling 59 kicking points (8.4 ppg, 33rd in D-II).

TIME OF POSSESSION CONTROL: Harding ranks eighth in NCAA Division II and leads the Great American Conference in time of possession (33:16 per game), bleeding clock and controlling tempo with a ground attack that converts 53.8 percent of third downs (4th in D-II, 1st in GAC) and 85.7 percent of fourth downs (3rd in D-II, 1st in GAC).

WALKER PACES NATION IN SACKS: 3rd-year defensive end Kaleb Walker continues to lead all of NCAA Division II in sacks per game (1.14) and paces the nation with 8.0 total sacks on the season ... Walker also ranks 20th nationally and third in the GAC with 1.36 tackles for loss per game (9.5 TFLs, -53 yards) and has generated a team-high seven quarterback hurries.

MILLER ON NATIONAL & ALL-TIME CHARTS: Andrew Miller ranks third in NCAA Division II in rushing touchdowns (15), fifth in scoring (12.9 ppg), fifth in total points scored (90), fifth in total touchdowns (15), seventh in rushing yards (908), and seventh in rushing yards per game (129.7 ypg) ... across all NCAA divisions, Miller is the active leader in career rushing yards (4,526) and career rushing touchdowns (65) ... his 129.71 all-purpose yards per game leads the GAC and ranks 20th in D-II.

REGAN'S ALL-PURPOSE IMPACT & RETURN SPEED: 1st-year slotback Jeff Regan ranks second in NCAA Division II and leads the GAC in kickoff return average (37.4 yards per return) ... Regan ranks 21st nationally in all-purpose yardage (129.00 ypg), 26th in rushing touchdowns (8), 27th in total touchdowns (9), and 38th in combined kick returns (379 yards, 1 TD) ... Regan has rushed for 524 yards on 32 carries (16.4 ypc) and scored nine total touchdowns on 44 total touches this fall.

YOUNG'S DUAL-THREAT EFFICIENCY: 5th-year quarterback Malik Young leads the Great American Conference and ranks 13th in NCAA Division II in rushing yards per carry (6.76 ypc) ... Young ranks 35th nationally in rushing yards (575), 36th in rushing yards per game (82.1 ypg), 58th in rushing touchdowns (6), and 93rd in total touchdowns (6), averaging 105.4 yards of total offense per game.

BALL-HAWKING SECONDARY & TAKEAWAYS: Harding is tied for first in the Great American Conference and ranks 34th in NCAA Division II with eight interceptions ... 3rd-year cornerback Corey Dean is tied for the GAC lead and ranks 14th in Division II with 0.43 interceptions per game (3 INTs) ... 3rd-year defensive back Connor Dean ranks 76th nationally with 0.29 interceptions per game (2 INTs) ... 3rd-year safety Grayson Lewis ranks eighth in D-II with two fumble recoveries ... Harding has gained 13 takeaways this season (+0.57 turnover margin, 37th in D-II).

SPECIAL TEAMS PRECISION: 3rd-year punter Griffin Thomas anchors a punt unit that ranks 18th in NCAA Division II and first in the GAC in net punting (39.32 yards) ... as a unit, Harding leads the entire nation in team kickoff return average (32.00 yards per return) ... the Bisons are tied for first in the country having allowed zero blocked kicks or blocked punts this season.

ROAD DOMINANCE & 10-GAME ROAD WINNING STREAK: Harding carries an active 10-game road winning streak into Monticello, representing the third-longest road winning streak in program history ... the Bisons are just one road victory shy of tying the school record of 11 consecutive road wins (set from Oct. 8, 2022 to Oct. 19, 2024).

CONFERENCE WINNING STREAK REACHES 22 GAMES: Harding extended its Great American Conference winning streak to 22 consecutive games with the victory over Henderson State ... the streak represents the second-longest active conference winning streak in NCAA Division II, trailing only CSU Pueblo (RMAC).

HOME WINNING STREAK STANDS AT 28: By finishing off its two-game homestand with a victory over Henderson State, Harding extended its home winning streak at First Security Stadium to 28 consecutive games—the second-longest active home winning streak in NCAA Division II, trailing only defending national champion Ferris State.

DEAN BROTHERS TAKE OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER: Brothers Connor Dean (3rd-year DB) and Carson Dean (4th-year LB) combined for all three fourth-quarter takeaways to stifle any Henderson State comeback momentum ... Carson stepped in front of a Reddie pass inside the HU red zone for an interception, while Connor snared two fourth-quarter interceptions, returning one 17 yards ... it was the first time Harding had three interceptions in the fourth quarter of a game since picking three passes late against Southeastern Oklahoma on Nov. 3, 2018 … Connor also made a game-changing special teams play late in the second quarter, coming untouched off the edge to block a punt through the back of the end zone for a safety.

FIRST SAFETY VIA BLOCKED PUNT SINCE 2021: Connor Dean's blocked punt for a safety in the second quarter against Henderson State was Harding's first blocked punt resulting in a safety since Will Fitzhugh accomplished the feat against Arkansas-Monticello on Oct. 23, 2021.

STRICKLAND'S INTERIOR POWER: 5th-year fullback Josh Strickland, Jr. powered the interior ground game against Henderson State, rushing 19 times for 94 yards (4.9 ypc) and two touchdowns ... Strickland scored on a 20-yard burst in the second quarter and capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive to open the second half with a 5-yard touchdown plunge ... Strickland has rushed for 289 yards (48.2 ypg) and two touchdowns this season.

SCOUTING ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO: The Boll Weevils enter Week 8 at 1-6 overall and 1-6 in Great American Conference play under head coach Gary Goff (Valdosta State, 1996), who is in his first season at UAM and 15th season overall as a collegiate head coach (71-82 career record) ... UAM is looking to halt a three-game losing streak following a 62-10 road defeat at Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 17 ... the Boll Weevils' lone victory came in a 30-27 home triumph over Arkansas Tech on Sept. 26 ... UAM features one of the Great American Conference's top-ranked passing offenses, ranking 41st in NCAA Division II and second in the GAC in passing offense (233.6 ypg), 31st nationally in first downs offense (155), and 47th in total offense (400.7 ypg) ... quarterback Drew Forkner directs the aerial attack, leading the GAC and ranking 18th in Division II in completions per game (19.71), 24th in passing yards per game (232.4 ypg), 28th in passing yards (1,627), 28th in total offense (247.9 ypg, 1,735 total yards), 32nd in completion percentage (.648, 138-of-213), and tied for the league lead with 11 passing touchdowns against 10 interceptions (136.60 passing efficiency) ... wide receiver DT McCoy is Forkner's top target with 27 receptions for 303 yards (43.3 ypg) and one touchdown, while RJ Hairston (22 rec, 237 yards) and Isaiah Roberts (18 rec, 227 yards, 3 TDs) provide depth on the perimeter ... running back Dave Alston paces the Boll Weevil backfield, ranking 16th in Division II and second in the GAC with 101.6 rushing yards per game (711 yards, 4 TDs) and 727 all-purpose yards while averaging 6.24 yards per carry (27th in D-II) ... power back Braylon Henry leads UAM in scoring with 42 points on six rushing touchdowns and seven total touchdowns ... placekicker Charles Stinson has converted 6-of-9 field goals (.667) and 18-of-20 PATs, averaging 0.86 field goals per game ... defensively, UAM has struggled against opposing attacks, ranking 140th in Division II in scoring defense (37.3 ppg), 145th in rushing defense (216.6 ypg allowed), 146th in total defense (459.0 ypg allowed), and 156th in team passing efficiency defense (180.54 rating) ... the Weevils rank 155th nationally in turnover margin (-1.71 per game), having committed 18 turnovers (10 INTs, 8 fumbles) while forcing just six takeaways ... defensive back Johnny Richardson paces the UAM defense with a team-high 37 total tackles (5.29 per game, 24 solo), while defensive lineman Lonnie Leverette leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks, Keyon Clark has 6.5 tackles for loss, and defensive back Nino Betances has intercepted one pass.

SERIES HISTORY: 61st all-time meeting between Harding and Arkansas-Monticello ... Harding leads the all-time series 36-24 and has won 14 consecutive meetings against the Boll Weevils dating back to 2010 ... the 14-game winning streak is Harding's second-longest active winning streak against any opponent (trailing only a 15-game streak vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State) ... the Bisons are 18-11 all-time in Monticello, having won six straight games at Cotton Bowl Stadium ... Harding is a perfect 13-0 against UAM in Great American Conference play since the league formed in 2011.

LAST MEETING (OCT. 25, 2025): Harding posted a 55-0 shutout victory over Arkansas-Monticello at First Security Stadium in Searcy ... the Bisons rolled up 434 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns while limiting the Boll Weevils to 109 total yards and seven first downs ... Andrew Miller rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Kaden Spencer led a defense that notched its third shutout of the 2025 season.

LAST MEETING IN MONTICELLO (SEPT. 19, 2024): In their last trip to Cotton Bowl Stadium, the No. 1-ranked Bisons cruised to a 63-3 victory over Arkansas-Monticello on a Thursday night ... Harding racked up 538 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while holding UAM to 142 total yards and 1-of-12 on third-down conversions.

POLL STREAK AT 97 WEEKS: Harding enters Week 8 ranked No. 2 nationally in both the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll and the D2Football.com Top 25 ... this marks Harding's 97th consecutive appearance in the AFCA national top 25 poll.

GAC SUPREMACY: Harding is 95-10 (.905) in Great American Conference play since 2016 and has suffered only one conference loss by more than 10 points since 2015.

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