Harding University Athletics

SEARCY – Second-ranked Harding University opened its 2026 campaign and the head coaching era of Roddy Mote on Thursday night, posting a 76-0 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State at First Security Stadium.

The contest concluded with 13:15 remaining in the fourth quarter by mutual agreement between both head coaches and game officials. Harding fourth-year running back Cedric Hawkins suffered a medical emergency on the sideline and was taken to the local hospital. Just before 11 p.m., team officials said that all signs were positive and that Hawkins was awake and talking and would likely remain in the hospital overnight for observation.

Harding (1-0, 1-0 Great American Conference) commanded the contest on both sides of the ball from the outset, scoring 34 points in the opening quarter and amassing a school-record 747 yards of total offense on just 58 plays (12.9 yards per play). The Bisons' flexbone ground attack rushed for 608 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 11.1 yards per attempt.

Defensively, the Bisons did not allow a first down the entire evening (a program first) and established a program single-game record by limiting the Rangers (0-1, 0-1 GAC) to minus-26 yards of total offense (minus-31 rushing, 5 passing) across 35 plays. The defensive front registered 6.0 sacks for minus-54 yards and 9.0 tackles for loss, forcing 11 Ranger punts.

Fifth-year quarterback Malik Young, making his first career collegiate start, delivered an electric performance. Young rushed for a game-high 162 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries (14.7 ypc) while completing both of his pass attempts for 80 yards and a touchdown. Young accounted for 242 total yards and four scores before departing early in the third quarter.

Fifth-year fullback Andrew Miller, the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up, rushed for 84 yards and a score on 14 carries in limited action, while fifth-year power back Josh Strickland, Jr. added 89 yards on 10 attempts (8.9 ypc).

The Bisons struck quickly on their opening possession, capping a six-play, 72-yard drive with a 44-yard touchdown sprint down the right sideline by Young. On the very next play from scrimmage, third-year cornerback Corey Dean intercepted Northwestern Oklahoma State quarterback Jacob T. Jones, giving Harding possession at the Ranger 38-yard line. Two plays later, Miller punched it in from four yards out to make it 14-0 less than six and a half minutes into the game.

Harding added three more first-quarter touchdowns: a 58-yard burst from third-year slotback Da'Shawn Chairs, a 39-yard touchdown strike from Young to fourth-year wideout Brady Barnett, and a 44-yard touchdown scamper by third-year slotback Ben Boehm on the final play of the opening frame to push the lead to 34-0.

Young added touchdown runs of 4 yards and 2 yards in the second quarter, sending the Bisons into the locker room with a 48-0 halftime advantage.

Third-year quarterback Camren Cavalier led three scoring drives in the second half, scoring on touchdown runs of eight and 15 yards and connecting with third-year receiver Mabry Verser on a 59-yard touchdown pass. Second-year quarterback Cody Stoever capped the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Barnett led all receivers with two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Verser had one reception for 59 yards and a score. In the kicking game, second-year transfer kicker Dean Roberts converted all 10 of his point-after attempts in his Harding debut.

Defensively, fifth-year linebacker Jordan Mays and third-year defensive lineman Kaleb Walker tied for the team lead with four tackles apiece. Kaynan Harris, Grayson Lewis, Vinny Discon, Dane Williams, Kaden Spencer, and Walker all contributed to Harding's six sacks.

With the victory, Harding extended its home winning streak at First Security Stadium to 25 games and won its 15th consecutive meeting against Northwestern Oklahoma State—the longest active winning streak against any opponent in program history. The Bisons also extended their conference winning streak to 16 games.

Harding hits the road next week for another Thursday night clash, traveling to Weatherford, Oklahoma, to face Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday, Sept. 10. Kickoff at Flex-Chem Field at Milam Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.