Venue & Game Info
Stadium: First Security Stadium (capacity ~8,500)
Location: Searcy, Arkansas
Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CT (3:00 PM ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Harding Sports Network
Special Note: Harding enters ranked No. 2 nationally in NCAA Division II.
Weather Forecast (Searcy, AR)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm fall afternoon
Temperature: ~84°F at kickoff, cooling into the mid‑70s by evening
Wind: 6–10 mph
Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
East Central Tigers (3–1, 3–1 GAC):
QB Luke Waggoner – Probable (ankle soreness)
WR Jalen Reed – Questionable (hamstring)
Harding Bisons (4–0, 4–0 GAC):
QB Cole Keylon – Probable (shoulder soreness)
RB Andrew Miller – Probable (knee bruise)
LB Clark Griffin – Probable (minor ankle tweak)
Key Player Matchups
QB Cole Keylon (Harding) vs East Central Front Seven
Keylon is 40–4 as a starter, the winningest QB in GAC history. His efficiency in Harding’s triple‑option attack is unmatched.
RB Andrew Miller & RB Braden Jay (Harding) vs ECU Linebackers
Miller leads the GAC with 435 rushing yards; Jay averages an NCAA‑best 12.4 yards per carry.
QB Luke Waggoner (ECU) vs Harding Secondary
Waggoner has been steady, but Harding’s defense allows just 224.8 total yards per game (3rd in DII).
LB Clark Griffin (Harding) vs ECU Run Game
Griffin leads the GAC in tackles and is the NCAA Division II active career leader with 315.
Recent Team Form
East Central Tigers (3–1, 3–1 GAC)
W 41–20 @ Northwestern Oklahoma (9/27/25)
L 17–13 vs Southern Nazarene (9/20/25)
W 38–13 @ Arkansas‑Monticello (9/13/25)
W 24–22 vs Ouachita Baptist (9/4/25)
Offense: ~28.5 PPG Defense: ~18.5 PPG
Harding Bisons (4–0, 4–0 GAC)
W 24–7 vs Ouachita Baptist (9/27/25)
W 31–12 @ Southern Arkansas (9/20/25)
W 55–0 vs Southwestern Oklahoma (9/11/25)
W 49–7 @ Northwestern Oklahoma (9/4/25)
Offense: ~39.8 PPG Defense: ~6.5 PPG
Series History
All‑time: Harding leads 19–3
Recent:
2024: Harding 34–7 (435 rushing yards, ECU held to 106 total yards)
Harding has won 18 of the last 19 meetings, averaging 35.4 PPG in the series.
Trend: Harding is 12–0 at home vs East Central.
ATS (Against the Spread):
Harding: 4–0 ATS last 4
East Central: 2–2 ATS last 4
Historical Betting Results:
Harding has covered in 3 straight vs ECU
ECU has failed to cover in 4 of last 5 vs ranked opponents
Projected Score: Harding 38 – East Central 13
Game Odds
East Central Tigers 51
Harding Bisons – 21.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025
