Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET)
Venue: First Security Stadium, Searcy, Arkansas (Capacity ~8,000, turf surface)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / GAC Sports Network
Special Note: The Traveling Trophy rivalry game
Weather Forecast (Searcy, AR)
Temperature: ~77°F (25°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, light winds (5–9 mph)
Precipitation:
Impact: Excellent football weather; no disruptions expected
Injury Report (Projected)
(Note: GAC programs rarely release official injury reports; this is based on recent availability trends)
Ouachita Baptist Tigers:
QB healthy, but has struggled with turnovers (4 INTs in 3 games).
RB1 probable (ankle).
Secondary missing one starter (questionable).
Harding Bisons:
QB Cole Keylon healthy, making his 44th career start (39–4 record).
SB Braden Jay probable (minor hamstring), NCAA’s active career leader in yards per rush (12.6).
LB Clark Griffin healthy, NCAA DII active leader with 308 career tackles.
Key Player Matchups
Harding’s Rushing Attack vs. Ouachita’s Run Defense
Harding leads all of Division II in rushing offense, averaging over 400 yards per game. Ouachita ranks 111th nationally in rush defense, a glaring mismatch.
QB Cole Keylon (Harding) vs. OBU Linebackers
Keylon is the winningest QB in GAC history and needs just one more TD to move into Harding’s top three all-time. His ability to manage the option attack is critical.
Ouachita QB vs. Harding Secondary
The Tigers will need to hit big plays through the air to loosen Harding’s front. Harding’s defense, however, ranks #2 nationally in total defense, allowing just 204.7 YPG and only two touchdowns all season.
Recent Team Form
Harding (3–0, 3–0 GAC):
W vs Southern Arkansas (31–12) – 433 rushing yards, no pass attempts completed.
W vs Arkansas Tech (38–10)
W vs Southeastern Oklahoma (42–7)
Strength: Nation’s best rushing offense, elite defense.
Weakness: Passing game rarely used; if forced into obvious passing downs, efficiency drops.
Ouachita Baptist (1–2, 1–2 GAC):
L vs Henderson State (35–21)
W vs Arkansas–Monticello (28–17)
L vs Southern Nazarene (31–20)
Strength: Balanced offense when RBs are healthy.
Weakness: Run defense has been porous, allowing 200+ yards in all three games.
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are GAC rivals.
Harding: Preseason #1 in the GAC poll, currently ranked #2 nationally in AFCA Coaches Poll.
Ouachita Baptist: Preseason #2 in the GAC poll, but struggling early in 2025.
Series History
All-time series: Harding leads 34–27–4 (65 prior meetings).
Recent meetings:
2024: Ouachita Baptist 17, Harding 13 (OBU upset despite being outgained 2-to-1).
2023: Harding 38, Ouachita 21
2022: Harding 41, Ouachita 10
Trend: The home team has won the last five meetings. Harding looks to continue that streak in Searcy.
Betting Trends:
Harding is 3–0 ATS this season (modeled).
Ouachita Baptist is 1–2 ATS this season.
Harding games have gone Under in 2 of 3 due to defensive dominance.
Ouachita games have gone Over in 2 of 3 due to defensive struggles.
Historical Betting Results (Modeled)
2024: Ouachita +10.5 (covered, won 17–13)
2023: Harding -7.5 (covered, won 38–21)
2022: Harding -9.5 (covered, won 41–10)
2021: Harding -6.5 (covered, won 31–14)
Game Odds
Ouachita Baptist Tigers 49
Harding Bisons – 15
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
