November 30th, 2024 3:30pm
ALLENDALE, Mich. — No. 4 Harding's rushing attack proved unstoppable in a snowy showdown at Lubbers Stadium, as the Bisons defeated Grand Valley State 44-26 in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Saturday.
Andrew Miller led the charge for Harding, rushing for 202 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. The Bisons amassed 475 yards on the ground, scoring six touchdowns. Braden Jay rushed for 94 yards on 11 carries. Both Miller and Jay surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the game.
Harding (12-1) advances to face Ferris State in the Super Region 3 final, scheduled for next Saturday in Big Rapids, Michigan.
The Bisons weathered the snowy conditions, taking a 17-7 lead into halftime. A 34-yard quarterback keeper by Cole Keylon set up a 20-yard field goal by James Satterfield, giving Harding the 10-point cushion.
Dre Hall's sack of Grand Valley quarterback Ike Udengwu on the Lakers' first possession of the second half marked his 25th career sack, breaking the school record. Defensively, Harding held Grand Valley to 223 total yards, including only 44 rushing yards.
Harding extended its lead to 31-7 with eight seconds left in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Blake Delacruz. Grand Valley's Kellen Reed responded with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Lakers couldn't close the gap.
Josh Strickland, Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown run with 4:07 remaining helped seal the win for Harding. More details to come