PITTSBURG, Kan. – Harding University’s football team delivered a resounding 48-3 victory over Pittsburg State in the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium. With the win, Harding improves to 11-1 overall and advances to face Grand Valley State next Saturday at noon in Allendale, Michigan. Pittsburg State falls to 8-3.
The Bisons’ rushing attack was unstoppable, amassing 518 yards—the 11th most in program history and the most ever in a playoff game—and setting a Harding playoff game record with 585 total yards, ranking 18th all-time. Harding’s defense was equally impressive, holding Pittsburg State to just 148 total yards, including 39 rushing yards and 109 passing yards.
Pittsburg State opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter, but Harding responded with a dominant performance, scoring 48 unanswered points. Andrew Miller’s 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Harding a 7-3 lead, followed by Darius Brown’s 75-yard reverse for a touchdown, the team’s longest rushing play this season.
Jeremiah Jordan’s interception and 54-yard return set up Cole Keylon’s 3-yard touchdown run, increasing Harding’s lead to 21-3. James Satterfield’s 26-yard field goal extended the Bisons’ lead to 24-3 at halftime.
In the second half, Harding continued to pull away, with Miller scoring his second touchdown, followed by a 50-yard touchdown pass from Keylon to Brown. Stone Sheffield sealed the win with a 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Blake Delacruz led Harding’s rushing attack with 89 yards on 15 carries, while Miller added 88 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Harding’s defense was formidable, allowing just 112 yards in the first half and 148 total yards.
