November 29th, 2025 6:00pm
SEARCY, Ark. — Harlon Hill nominee Andrew Miller rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns as No. 2 Harding extended the second-longest home winning streak in Division II to 23 games, defeating No. 6 Pittsburg State 37-21 Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The 2023 national champion Bisons (13-0) amassed 430 rushing yards to advance to the Super Region 4 final next Saturday at First Security Stadium.
This was the third postseason meeting between the programs and the first played in Searcy. While the Gorillas (10-3) avoided a repeat of last year's 48-3 blowout loss to Harding, they were unable to stop the nation's top-ranked rushing attack.
Miller, who entered the game ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards, scored on runs of 1, 32, and 44 yards. Braden Jay, the Great American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, complemented Miller with 127 yards on 11 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown sprint in the second quarter.
Harding set the tone on its opening possession. After a Pittsburg State punt pinned the Bisons at their own 1-yard line, Harding marched 99 yards in 17 plays. The drive consumed 9 minutes and 31 seconds—typical for an offense that held the ball for nearly 39 minutes—and culminated in Miller's 1-yard plunge.
Harding led 20-0 at halftime after Jay's long run and a 2-yard keeper by quarterback Cole Keylon. Keylon, making his 53rd career start, improved his record to 49-4 under center.
The Bisons' defense, which entered the contest ranked No. 1 in Division II allowing just 7.2 points per game, held the Gorillas scoreless for the first 35 minutes. Justin Sobczak recorded three sacks, while GAC Defensive Player of the Year Clark Griffin tallied eight tackles, surpassing the 400-career tackle mark.
Pittsburg State broke the shutout midway through the third quarter on a 25-yard run by Zah Palode-Gary, who led the Gorillas with 62 yards on the ground. However, Harding responded immediately with Miller's third touchdown, a 44-yard run that extended the lead to 34-7.
Gorillas quarterback Jackson Berry threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes—a 5-yarder to Kuron Parchmon and a 30-yarder to Luke Niggemann—to narrow the final margin. Berry finished 10-of-21 for 117 yards.
Harding kicker Magnus Lepak connected on a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
The victory moves Harding to 14-8 all-time in NCAA Division II Playoff games as they continue their pursuit of a second national title.