PITTSBURG -- The Harding University football team scored 48 straight points to overcome an early 3-0 deficit and roll to a 48-3 victory over Pittsburg State University in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday (Nov. 23) at Carnie Smith Stadium.
The No. 4 ranked Bisons (11-1) will meet No. 5 ranked Grand Valley State in a second-round match-up at Allendale, Mich., next Saturday (Nov. 23). The 13th ranked Gorillas end their season with a 8-3 record.
Harding, the defending NCAA-II national champion, piled up 518 rushing yards on 66 carries and 585 total yards in the contest. Andrew Miller carried the ball 12 times for 88 yards and a pair of scores. Darius Brown added a 75-yard touchdown scamper as well as a 50-yard scoring reception from quarterback Cole Keylon. Keylon added a rushing touchdown as well.
Pitt State drove 38 yards in nine plays with
Gentry Cole booting a 47-yard field goal to stake the Gorillas to a 3-0 lead with 8:59 to play in the first quarter.
The Gorillas forced a fumble and an interception on consecutive drives but the Pitt State offense was unable to capitalize on the takeaways.
The Bisons, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II in scoring defense, limited the Gorillas to 39 net rushing yards on 22 carries. Pitt State quarterbacks
Chad Dodson Jr. and
Jake Wolff completed 12 of 26 passes for 109 yards and two interceptions.
Pitt State safety
Jordan Rogers forced a fumble, snared an interception and posted eight tackles in the gae. Defensive lineman
Cole Sample made a career best 10 tackles in his final collegiate game. Safety
Ryan Medeiros also registered eight tackles and a fumble recovery.
