August 1st, 2024 1:00pm
From GAC Communications
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Thursday, the Great American Conference released the results of the 2024 football preseason coaches poll. Harding, the 2023 NCAA Division II national champions, received 10 of the 11 available first-place votes.
The Bisons secured the program’s and the conference’s first football national title as they produced only the eighth 15-0 season in the 50-year history of Division II history. Their 38-7 victory against Colorado School of Mines represented the second-largest margin in the final since 1998. They set a Division II record for rushing yards in a season with 6,160.
For 2024, Harding brings back 11 of their 2023 All-GAC selections and 13 starters overall. The Bisons’ top six rushers return, headlined by First-Team honorees Blake Delacruz and Braden Jay. Delacruz tallied 1,508 yards and 21 touchdowns while Jay gained 1,075 yards - on just 86 carries. Delacruz set the record for rush yards in the Division II Championship-game with 212. Jay added 161 yards and three scores. Quarterback Cole Keylon scored 15 rushing touchdowns and threw for eight - against only one interception.
While the Bison lose First-Team All-American and GAC Defensive Player of the Year Nathaniel Wallace, they bring back seven starters - six of of whom earned All-GAC honors - from a unit that ranked second nationally in scoring defense and interceptions, third in rushing defense, fourth in turnovers forced and fifth in total defense. Wesley Coleman, Ty Dugger, Clark Griffin and Dre Hall made the First Team while Kyle McDonald and Gage Price landed on the Second Team.
Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas each picked up one first-place vote with the Tigers claiming the second position the poll and the Muleriders garnering third. The Tigers won nine games for the sixth-straight season. They bring back five of their six First-Team All-GAC selections in running back Kendel Givens, wide receiver Connor Flannigan, safety Josiah Johnson, return specialist Carter McElhany and special teams performer Brock Baker. Givens matched Delacruz with 21 rushing touchdowns, the second-best tally in Division II. McElhany added the GAC’s Freshman of the Year honor. He ranked 13th in the nation in kickoff return average. Flannigan caught 73 receptions for 948 yards and six touchdowns. Johnson, a Second-Team AP All-American, collected 90 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
