PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University football team will travel to Searcy, Ark., to face No. 2 ranked Harding University from the Great American Conference in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday (Nov. 29). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (CST) at First Security Stadium.

Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, enters Saturday's action on a 10-game winning streak. The Gorillas have reeled off 10 straight wins since opening the season with back-to-back losses. Pitt State posted an 8-1 mark in league play to finish as the 2025 Co-Champions of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

The Gorillas, the No. 6 ranked squad in the most recent AFCA/Division II Top 25 poll, posted a 21-17 victory over No. 22 Chadron State College in the first round of the NCAA-II playoffs last Saturday (Nov. 22) at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Harding brings an unblemished 12-0 record into Saturday's match-up. The Bisons captured their third straight GAC crown by sweeping their 11 conference foes during regular season play. Harding, which captured the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championships and advanced to the NCAA-II quarterfinals a year ago, posted a 38-16 win over No. 14 Northwest Missouri State University in first-round playoff action last week.

Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's game are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance a hardingtickets.com or at the game Saturday. First Security Stadium is a cashless ticketing venue so all game day ticket sales will be by credit card only.

The Coaches
Tom Anthony is in his his second year as head football coach at Pittsburg State University. He has guided the Gorillas to a 10-2 mark, the MIAA Co-Championship and Pitt State's fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division II postseason in 2025.

Anthony guided the Gorillas to an 8-3 record during his debut season in 2024, including an appearance in the NCAA-II playoffs. He has an 18-5 (.783) career mark.
Anthony returned to campus in December 2023 after a six-month absence to become the Gorillas 16th all-time head coach.

He served as Pitt State's defensive coordinator from 2020-22 under former head coach Brian Wright, helping the Gorillas fashion a 21-7 record and an MIAA title and NCAA-II playoff appearance in 2022.

Anthony was elevated to the role of associate head coach/defensive coordinator prior to the 2022 season. He helped fashion one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division II during his three years with the Gorillas.

In 2022, Anthony's Pitt State defensive squad led the MIAA in scoring defense (14.1 ppg) and ranked second in the conference in total defense (282.6 ypg), rushing defense (93.0 ypg), passing defense (189.6 ypg) and sacks (31). The Gorillas ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense and 19th nationally in total defense. Pitt State was one of just four defensive units to return four or more interceptions for touchdowns in 2022.

In 2021, Anthony's squad led the MIAA in interceptions (14) and the Gorillas ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (19.5 ppg), total defense (341.2 ypg) and rushing defense (120.5 ypg).
This will be Anthony's second meeting against Harding. He is 0-1 against the Bisons.

Paul Simmons is in his ninth season as Harding's head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the Bisons for the previous 11 years. Simmons (Harding, '95) has compiled an 89-15 (.856) record at at his alma mater, including an 11-5 mark in NCAA-II postseason play. He was selected the 2023 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, the Don Hansen Football Committee and D2Football.com.

This will be Simmons' second meeting vs. Pitt State. He is 1-0 vs. the Gorillas.

The Pitt State - Harding Series
This will be third all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Bisons - all in NCAA postseason play. The series is tied, 1-1.

Pitt State posted a 59-42 win over Harding in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division II playoffs at Carnie Smith Stadium. The Gorillas rallied from a 21-0 deficit by scoring 38 unanswered points against the Bisons between the second and third quarters to take control.

Pitt State quarterback Anthony Abenoja passed for 279 yards and four touchdowns in the game, connecting with wide receiver Austin Panko for 84 yards and three scores.

Last year, Harding scored 48 straight points to overcome an early 3-0 deficit and roll to a 48-3 victory over Pitt State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs on Nov. 23 at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Harding 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 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.

PSU, Harding in the NCAAs
Pitt State is making its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs since joining the NCAA ranks 37 years ago, prior to the 1989 season. The Gorillas have compiled a 28-19 (.596) mark in the NCAA-II playoffs.

Pitt State captured the 1991 and 2011 NCAA Division II National Championships and finished as the National Runner-Up in 1992, 1995 and 2004.

Harding is making its 10th appearance in the NCAA-II playoffs. The Bisons have compiled a 13-8 (.619) postseason record, including a 4-0 mark en route to the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Gorillas on the Road
Pitt State has compiled an impressive record in road games over the past 32 years.

The Gorillas have posted a 125-39-1 (.761) record in its last 165 road games (including post-season play) dating back to the start of the 1994 season. The Gorillas are 61-16 (.792) in their last 77 road games dating back to Oct. 23, 2010.

Harding has won its last 22 straight home games and the Bisons have a 43-6 (.878) home mark the past nine seasons under Coach Simmons.

All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are playing in their 118th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 770-367-48 overall record, winning 67.0 percent of their 1,185 all-time games.

Pittsburg State is one of just two NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 700 all-time victories and the Gorillas became just the 33rd program – the first Division II institution – across all levels of college football to reach the 700-win plateau.

Tuskegee is second on the Division II all-time list with 723 victories, followed by Hillsdale (676), Carson-Newman (671) and Central Oklahoma (670).

Harding has a 417-312-16 (.570) record in 75 seasons of intercollegiate play.

Pitt State in the MIAA
Pitt State has enjoyed consistent success in the MIAA during the past three decades. Pitt State has posted a 272-69-1 (.797) record against its MIAA opponents since joining the conference in 1989.

The Gorillas have won 15 MIAA titles since joining the conference, including three MIAA crowns in the last four seasons (2022, 2023, 2025).

Gorillas vs. GAC Foes
Pitt State has a 14-5-2 (.714) all-time record against GAC foes, including a 5-1-0 record in the NCAA era.

The Gorillas have split a pair of postseason games against Harding; and Pitt State posted a 48-31 win over Arkansas Tech in the 2017 Live United Bowl.

Pitt State also met Arkansas-Monticello in the 1988 NAIA playoffs, scoring a 23-7 win in that match-up.

Scouting the Gorillas
Redshirt senior quarterback Jackson Berry has completed 209 of 342 passes (.611) for 2,594 yards (216.2 ypg) and 14 touchdowns for the Gorillas. He also has rushed the ball 86 times for 229 yards and three scores.

Berry was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year on Nov. 18. He also garnered MIAA Player of the Week accolades for a second straight week after passing for 228 yards and a pair of scored in the Gorillas' win over Northwest Missouri in the regular season finale. Berry also passed for a season-best 296 yards and two TDs vs. UCM on Nov. 8 to gain the conference's weekly honor.

He currently ranks third in the MIAA in total offense (235.3 ypg) and passing efficiency (135.4 rating) and fourth in the league in passing yards (216.2 ypg) . Berry's 2,594 passing yards also ranks fifth all-time on Pitt State's single season chart.

Berry (6-0, 201), who transferred to Pitt State in January from NCAA Division I Southern Utah University, also has 38 carries for 109 net yards (2.9 ypc) and a touchdown on the ground on the season. He passed for a season-high 294 yards in the season opener against Ferris State.

The Prosper, Texas native completed 129 of 205 passes (.629) for 1,558 yards (155.8 ypg) and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions at SUU last year.

Junior placekicker Austin Schmitt was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year following the conclusion of the regular season.

Schmitt leads the MIAA and ranks second in NCAA Division II with 19 field goals on the season (1.58 pg). He's converted 19 of 30 kicks on the year and he's also made 41 of 42 PAT tries. The Grain Valley, Mo., native has scored an MIAA leading 104 points (8.7 ppg).

Schmitt has been selected the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week four times this season:  vs. Washburn on Oct. 11; vs. Missouri Western on Oct. 25; vs. Missouri Southern on Nov. 1; and vs. Central Missouri on Nov. 8.

For his career, Schmitt has converted 40 of 56 (.714) field goals and scored 222 points (7.9 ppg) in 28 career games played.

Redshirt senior safety Jordan Rogers has made 76 tackles (37 solo) and recorded five interceptions, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He was voted to the first-team All-MIAA squad.
Rogers returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown against UCM on Nov. 8. He also had two INTs in the Gorillas' NCAA-II playoff win over Chadron State.

The Bellmead, Texas native has registered 155 career tackles (87 solo), 15 interceptions and 26 pass breakups. A three-time All-MIAA performer, Rogers (5-10, 188) recorded 42 tackles, four interceptions and eight PBUs as a junior in 2024.

He currently ranks in fourth place in Pitt State history in career interceptions (15) and passes defended (29).

Redshirt junior running back Zahmari Palode-Gary has rushed the ball 143 times for 902 yards (6.3 ypc) and nine touchdowns in 11 games played on the year, earning first-team All-MIAA honors.

The Kansas City, Mo., native leads the MIAA in rushing, averaging 82.0 yards per game. He posted three straight 100-yard rushing games between Sept. 27 (vs. ESU) and Oct. 11 (vs. WU); and he carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and two scores against UCM on Nov. 8.

Palode-Gary transferred to Pitt State in August from Garden City Community College where he was an honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference performer in 2024.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Kuron Parchmon (Ferguson, Mo.) has caught 36 passes for 588 yards (16.3 ypc) and three touchdowns in 11 games played, while redshirt junior wide receiver Greyson Holbert (Overland Park, Kan.) has 57 receptions for 574 yards (10.1 ypc) and two scores. Parchmon (53.5 ypg) and Holbert (47.8 ypg) rank seventh and ninth in the MIAA in receiving yards, while Holbert also ranks fourth in the league in receptions.

Parchmon, a first-team All-MIAA selection, has 81 career receptions for 1,240 yards and seven touchdowns. Holbert, a third-team All-MIAA honoree, has 70 career grabs for 663 yards and two scores.

Senior linebacker Steven Ward II (Nixa, Mo.) has posted a team-leading 84 tackles (37 solo) with 8.0 tackles-for-loss, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. A second-team All-MIAA performer, Ward ranks ninth in the MIAA in tackles (7.0 pg). Senior safety Reginald King Jr. (Grandview, Mo.) also has made 60 tackles (39 solo), one interception and eight pass breakups. He was a first-team All-MIAA selection.

Redshirt sophomore tight end Luke Niggemann (Girard, Kan.) has eight receptions for 82 yards (10.3 ypc) and one touchdown. He also has rushed the ball 28 times for 124 yards (4.4 ypc) and three scores. Niggemann garnered third-team All-MIAA honors.

In addition to his receiving totals this season, Niggemann has 52 career carries for 273 yards (5.3 ypc) and 10 touchdowns.

Senior Drew Daniels (Andover, Kan.), redshirt senior Carter Stanchfield (Paola, Kan.) earned first-team All-MIAA honors at offensive line and redshirt senior Coby James (Midlothian, Texas) was named to the third-team All-MIAA squad. The trio have helped pave the way up front for a Pitt State offense that has averaged 29.8 points and 407.8 yards of total offense (189.5 rushing). The Gorillas have allowed just 15 quarterback sacks in 329 pass attempts on the season.

Redshirt senior defensive lineman Jeremy Sharp (Peculiar, Mo.) has 33 stops (14 solo) with 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 quarterback sacks on the season, while redshirt senior defensive end James Smith (Lawrenceville, Ga.) has logged 27 tackles (14 solo) with 8.0 TFLs and 5.0 QB sacks. Sharp garnered first-team All-MIAA honors and Smith was a third-team All-MIAA selection. Redshirt junior defensive end Ely Wilcox Wilcox (Augusta, Kan.) also was named to the honorable mention All-MIAA squad. He has compiled 30 tackles (14 solo), 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 QB sacks. Sharp and Smith rank sixth and ninth, respectively, in the MIAA in QB sacks.

Redshirt senior Jaylen Fuksa (Frisco, Texas) earned All-MIAA honors as a defensive back and as a return specialist. Fuksa has posted 26 tackles (19 solo) with one interception and four pass breakups in 10 games played. He also has averaged 26.8 yards on 14 kickoff returns this season.

A three-time All-MIAA performer, Fuksa has made 109 career tackles (74 solo), two interceptions and 31 pass break-ups. He also has averaged 28.1 yards on 27 career kickoff returns.

Redshirt senior running back Cleo Chandler Jr. and redshirt senior return specialist Ryan Medeiros also earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors for their play during the 2025 regular season. Chandler (Cleburne, Texas) has 101 carries for 559 yards (5.5 ypc), ranking eighth in the conference (55.9 ypg). Medeiros (Prosper, Texas) has averaged 5.4 yards on 31 punt returns on the season. He's also logged 41 tackles (21 solo) with one interception and two PBUs. He ranks fourth in the league in punt returns.

Chandler has 363 career carries for 1,637 yards (4.5 ypc) and 19 touchdowns. He also has 46 career receptions for 409 yards and two scores.

Notable Nuggets
•    Pitt State has trailed for just 14:48 of game clock in the Gorillas' last eight games.
•    After surrendering two TDs & 1 FG on the opening drive of its first four games, the Pitt State
    defense has held its opposition scoreless on its game-opening drives in six of its last eight contests.
•    The Pitt State defense has forced 24 turnovers on the season; and the Gorillas have generated
    97 points off turnovers (8.1 ppg), including three defensive scores.