December 13th, 2025 6:15pm
From Harding sports information:
KUTZTOWN, Pa. — For the second time in three seasons, the road to the national title runs through McKinney, Texas, for the Harding Bisons.
Fullback Andrew Miller rushed for 157 yards and a school-record-breaking four touchdowns, and quarterback Cole Keylon tied the NCAA Division II record for career victories as No. 2 Harding overwhelmed No. 3 Kutztown 49-27 on Saturday in the NCAA Division II national semifinals at Andre Reed Stadium.
With the victory, the Bisons (15-0) advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, where they will face Ferris State next Saturday at 3 p.m. at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. It marks a return to the site of Harding's first national title, which they claimed in 2023.
While the matchup was billed as a defensive struggle between the nation's top two scoring defenses, Harding's flexbone offense proved unstoppable. The Bisons churned out 389 rushing yards on 47 attempts, averaging a staggering 8.3 yards per carry.
Miller, a Harlon Hill Award finalist, was the engine of the attack. Entering the game needing two scores to break the Harding single-season rushing touchdown record, the junior shattered the mark with four trips to the end zone. He now has 27 rushing touchdowns on the season. Miller scored on runs of 1, 3, 5, and 73 yards, the last of which broke the game open in the third quarter.
Quarterback Cole Keylon added another chapter to his legendary career. Making his 55th start, Keylon rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. The victory was the 51st of his career as a starter, tying him with Grand Valley State's Cullen Finnerty (2003-06) for the most wins by a starting quarterback in Division II history. Keylon can break the record next Saturday in his final collegiate game.
Slotback Braden Jay provided the explosive counterpunch to Miller's power, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, averaging 15.0 yards per touch.
The game's decisive moment came from the "Bison Blockade" defense early in the third quarter. On Kutztown's opening drive of the second half, Harding redshirt freshman cornerback Josh Gatlin jumped a route, intercepting Golden Bear quarterback Judd Novak and returning it 70 yards deep into Kutztown territory.
It was the first interception thrown by Novak all season; the Kutztown signal-caller entered the semifinal with 28 touchdown passes and zero picks. Gatlin's takeaway set up a short touchdown run by Keylon moments later, swinging the momentum firmly to the Bisons.
Kutztown (14-1), the PSAC champions, managed to move the ball effectively behind Novak, who was a dual-threat nuisance. He threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 137 yards and a score. The Golden Bears actually outgained Harding in total offense, 453-409, but could not overcome the turnover or Harding's efficiency.
Kutztown receiver Rich Paczewski hauled in six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard strike in the third quarter, but the Bisons responded to every Kutztown score with a touchdown drive of their own.
Harding led 21-7 at halftime and never let the Golden Bears closer than two scores in the second half. The victory sets up a heavyweight clash with Ferris State, a perennial power in Division II. Harding and Ferris State have combined to win the last four Division II national championships.
Game Notes:
Records Fallen: With four touchdowns, Andrew Miller surpassed the previous Harding single-season record of 24 rushing TDs. He has 27 entering the title game.
Keylon's Milestone: Cole Keylon is now 51-4 as a starter.
Offensive Efficiency: Harding attempted only one pass in the game—a 20-yard completion from Keylon to Brady Barnett.
Ticket Information: Harding fans are encouraged to check HardingSports.com throughout the week for ticket information regarding the NCAA Division II National Championship in McKinney. Details on allotment and purchase options will be posted as soon as they become available.