Harding University Athletics

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Second-ranked Harding stopped a go-ahead two-point conversion pass with 23 seconds remaining, holding on for a thrilling 28-27 victory over archrival Ouachita Baptist on Saturday night before a crowd of 6,348 at Cliff Harris Stadium.

With the victory, Harding (4-0, 4-0 Great American Conference) snapped a three-game skid in Arkadelphia, capturing its first road win over the Tigers since 2017. The Bisons also extended their GAC winning streak to 19 games and their overall road winning streak to nine.

Leading 21-21 in the closing minutes of a back-and-forth second half, the game's dramatic conclusion was defined by the final two possessions for each squad.

Harding took possession at its own 18-yard line with 7:02 remaining and methodically bled over five minutes off the clock with a trademark flexbone march. Backup quarterback Camren Cavalier converted a pair of crucial third downs, including an 11-yard keeper on 3rd-and-9 to reach Tiger territory. When the drive finally stalled at the OBU 43, junior punter Griffin Thomas angled a 35-yard punt that was fair-caught at the Ouachita 8-yard line with just 1:54 remaining.

Backed up against their own goal line, the Tigers took over for their penultimate possession. On 3rd-and-10 from the 8, Bison sophomore defensive end Kaleb Walker beat his blocker off the edge and strip-sacked quarterback Tre Nichols. Harding defensive end Kaden Spencer pounced on the loose ball at the Ouachita 11-yard line with 1:36 left, handing the Bisons a golden opportunity in the red zone.

Three plays later, fifth-year All-American fullback Andrew Miller slammed into the end zone from 4 yards out with 1:22 left. Dean Roberts tacked on the extra point to give Harding a 28-21 lead.

Ouachita Baptist (2-2, 2-2 GAC) answered immediately on its final drive. Facing 4th-and-2 from their own 33-yard line, Nichols eluded several Harding tacklers and lofted a deep pass down the right sideline to Carter McElhany, who hauled it in behind the secondary and sprinted to the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown with only 23 seconds on the clock.

Rather than kick the tying extra point to force overtime, Ouachita head coach Todd Knight elected to go for the win. On the two-point conversion attempt, backup quarterback Ty Burleson took the snap and attempted a pass to Bo Baker in the end zone, but fourth-year defensive back Deion Campbell deflected the pass in the back of the end zone, preserving the Bisons' 28-27 lead.

Harding secured the ensuing onside kick at the Ouachita 43-yard line and took a knee to seal the victory.

Miller paced the Harding offense with 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, scoring on runs of 2, 1, and 4 yards. In doing so, Miller eclipsed the 4,000-yard career rushing plateau (4,096 yards), becoming just the third player in Harding history to achieve the feat while taking sole possession of third place on the program's all-time rushing list. His three scores also pushed his career touchdown total to 58.

First-year slotback Jeff Regan rushed eight times for 88 yards, including a game-tying 6-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Cavalier added 50 rushing yards on 10 carries and completed a 39-yard pass to Brady Barnett.

Ouachita opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Nichols capped a 99-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Harding responded on the next series with a 5-play, 75-yard march featuring a 45-yard burst by Miller, who finished the drive with a 2-yard plunge. Miller added a 1-yard score with 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give Harding a 14-7 halftime advantage.

The Tigers seized momentum in the third quarter with 14 unanswered points on touchdown runs by Nichols (3 yards) and Chris Henley Jr. (1 yard) to carry a 21-14 lead into the final frame before Harding's late-game surge.

Defensively, senior linebacker Jordan Mays registered a game-high 14 tackles (seven solo), while Kyle Henry added seven tackles and a pass breakup. Walker notched two sacks, including the crucial fourth-quarter strip-sack, giving him a team-leading 6.0 sacks on the season.

Harding outgained Ouachita on the ground 306 to 166.

The Bisons continue their road swing next Saturday, Oct. 3, traveling to Ada, Oklahoma, to take on East Central at Koi Ishto Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.