SEARCY, Ark. — Harding placekicker Dean Roberts has been named the Great American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week following an efficient performance in the second-ranked Bisons' season-opening 76-0 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State at First Security Stadium.
Making his collegiate debut, Roberts was flawless on point-after attempts, connecting on all 10 of his PAT kicks to account for 10 points in the victory. His 10 extra points tied for the second-most made in a single game in Harding history.
In addition to his placekicking, Roberts shared kickoff duties for the Bisons, averaging 56.4 yards across five kickoffs totaling 282 yards.
Roberts' performance spearheaded a special teams unit that kept Northwestern Oklahoma State pinned deep in its own territory throughout the night, supporting a Bison squad that established new program single-game records for total offense (747 yards) and fewest total yards allowed (-26 yards).
The award marks the first GAC weekly honor of Roberts' career and the first for the Bisons in the 2026 season.
No. 2 Harding (1-0, 1-0 GAC) returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 10, when the Bisons travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma, to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State. Kickoff at Flex-Chem Field at Milam Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
