Harding Voted GAC Favorite
August 5th, 2025 12:00pm
From GAC Communications:
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Tuesday, the Great American Conference released the results of the 2025 football preseason coaches poll. Harding received nine first-place votes to enter the season as the favorite.
A year ago, the Bisons went 12-2, highlighted by playoff wins at Pittsburg State and Grand Valley State. Last season, the Bisons offense led Division II in scoring, 48.1 points per game, rushing yards per game, 413.9 and third-down conversion rate, 56.5 percent. The defense paced the nation in total defense and pass yards allowed. Harding returns 1,000-yard running back Braden Jay and quarterback Cole Keylon. On the defense, the Bisons bring back First-Team All-GAC selections Clark Griffin and Ty Dugger.
Ouachita Baptist collected three first-place votes and took second in the poll. The Tigers handed the Bisons their lone regular-season loss as part of a 10-2 season and a regular season title. Ouachita returns First-Team All-GAC selection Dylan Horton.
Southern Arkansas placed third. The Muleriders went 9-2 and have gone 19-4 over the past two seasons. SAU ranked sixth in the nation in scoring offense and total offense.
Henderson State claimed fourth. Reddie tight end Cayden Davis garnered Second Team D2CCA All-America honors and placed on the D2Football Elite 100 Squad Team. He caught 22 passes for 430 yards. His six touchdown receptions tied for the league lead.
Southeastern Oklahoma State edged rival East Central and Arkansas Tech for fifth.Southwestern Oklahoma State finished eighth, followed by Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Nazarene. Oklahoma Baptist and Northwestern Oklahoma State rounded out the poll.
The 2025 season begins on Thursday, September 4 with six contests. Harding and Ouachita Baptist take to the road to face Northwestern Oklahoma State and East Central, respectively. SAU hosts Oklahoma Baptist; Henderson State faces Southern Nazarene; Southeastern Oklahoma State welcomes in UAM and Arkansas Tech travels to SWOSU. The meeting between Harding and Ouachita Baptist takes place in week four, on Saturday, September 27 in Searcy.
