December 18th, 2025 9:00pm
courtesy of hardingsports.com
Game notes for the 2025 National Championship Game, from Harding sports information
Below are 11 Facts and Stats about this week's game. You can read the full game notes by clicking on the link.
1. Clash of the Titans (15-0 vs. 15-0) This is the ultimate heavyweight fight. It features #2 Harding (15-0) against #1 Ferris State (15-0). These two programs have a stranglehold on the Division II trophy, combining to win the last four national championships (Harding in '23; Ferris St. in '21, '22, '24). Both teams enter undefeated, looking to cap perfect seasons.
2. The Revenge Game Ferris State leads the all-time series 2-1 and has won the last two meetings. The most recent loss is fresh in the minds of the Bisons: Ferris State eliminated Harding in the 2024 playoffs (last season) with a decisive 41-7 victory on December 7, 2024.
3. Strength vs. Strength: The Yardage Battle Saturday features two of the top four offenses in the entire country.
Ferris State: Ranks #1 in Total Offense (515.5 ypg) and #1 in Scoring (53.5 ppg).
Harding: Ranks #4 in Total Offense (481.9 ypg) and #3 in Scoring (45.0 ppg).
The Run Game: Harding is #1 in Rushing (446.4 ypg), while Ferris State is #3 (310.6 ypg). Expect a physical game played on the ground.
4. Historic Rushing Dominance The Bisons aren't just winning; they are rewriting the NCAA record books. Harding broke its own NCAA all-division record for rushing yards in a season with 6,697 yards (surpassing their 2023 record). They also set a new NCAA single-season record with 87 rushing touchdowns.
5. The "Stingiest" Defense & Coordinator of the Year Roddy Mote Under Defensive Coordinator Roddy Mote, named Division II National Coordinator of the Year this week, the Bisons boast the #1 Scoring Defense in D2, allowing just 10.8 points per game (only 161 total points allowed in 15 games).
6. QB Cole Keylon: Chasing History Senior Quarterback Cole Keylon is making his 56th career start. With a victory on Saturday, he would reach 52 wins as a starter, passing Grand Valley State's Cullen Finnerty (2003-06) to become the all-time wins leader in Division II history. Keylon is also the only HU QB with 2,500+ rushing and 2,500+ passing yards in a career.
7. Andrew Miller: The Harlon Hill Finalist Fullback Andrew Miller is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award (D2 Heisman). He ranks 2nd in D2 with 1,978 rushing yards and has scored a school-record 27 rushing touchdowns this season. He is a workhorse in the postseason, with nearly 1,000 rushing yards in his playoff career.
8. Braden Jay: The Home Run Hitter While Miller provides the power, slotback Braden Jay provides the lightning. The GAC Offensive Player of the Year averages a staggering 12.3 yards per rush (school and D2 career record). He has nine rushes of 50+ yards this season and has scored 22 touchdowns.
9. Clark Griffin: The Tackling Machine Linebacker Clark Griffin is the GAC Defensive Player of the Year. He is the NCAA D2 leader with 156 tackles this season. He is the active D2 leader in career tackles (436) and ranks 10th among active players in Tackles for Loss (45.5).
10. Trenches & Efficiency Harding wins by controlling the line of scrimmage and extending drives.
OL Jake Mitchell finished second overall in voting for the Gene Upshaw Award (nation's top lineman).
Efficiency: Harding ranks #1 in D2 in both 3rd Down Conversions (58.0%) and 4th Down Conversions (86.7%).
11. Championship Experience Despite the roster turnover natural to college football, Harding retains significant championship DNA. Four current starters (QB Keylon, SB Jay, DB Dugger, LB Griffin) started in the 2023 National Championship victory, and 15 total players on the current roster saw action in that title game.