October 3rd, 2026 4:05pm
ADA, Okla. — Second-ranked Harding piled up 360 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, pulling away in the second half for a 42-21 victory over previously unbeaten East Central on a soggy, overcast Saturday afternoon before 975 fans at Norris Field at Koi Ishto Stadium.
With the victory, Harding (5-0, 5-0 Great American Conference) extended its conference winning streak to 20 consecutive games and pushed its overall road winning streak to 10. The Bisons also notched their 14th consecutive win over the Tigers dating back to 2012 and secured their 13th straight road victory in the state of Oklahoma.
First-year slotback Jeff Regan and fifth-year All-American fullback Andrew Miller led a balanced, physical flexbone attack, with each topping the century mark on the ground and scoring two touchdowns. Regan rushed seven times for 118 yards (16.9 yards per carry), highlighted by a breakaway 54-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter. Miller shouldered the heavy lifting between the tackles, rushing 25 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns (2 and 1 yards).
The milestone afternoon moved Miller to the doorstep of history. With 117 yards, Miller increased his career rushing total to 4,213 yards—leaving him just one yard shy of Alan "Snake" Dixon (4,214 yards, 1970–73) for second place on Harding's all-time rushing leaderboard. Miller's two scores also pushed his career touchdown total to 60, trailing only Cole Chancey (66) in school history.
Saturday also marked a program milestone for Miller and fifth-year rover Luke Martin, as both fifth-year veterans played in their 50th career collegiate game to officially join Harding's prestigious 50-game club.
Harding grabbed the early momentum before running an offensive snap from scrimmage. G'Kyson Wright fielded the opening kickoff and sliced through coverage for a 46-yard return to the East Central 30-yard line. Five plays later, Regan took a pitch around the right edge for a 12-yard touchdown run to hand the Bisons a 7-0 lead just 37 seconds into the contest.
Defenses controlled the remainder of the first half amidst slippery footing. East Central (4-1, 4-1 GAC) mounted a threat late in the first quarter, driving to the Harding 34 before turning the ball over on downs.
Harding doubled its lead late in the second quarter following a defensive takeaway. With ECU driving near midfield, third-year cornerback Kelon Fountain punched the ball loose from ECU running back Quincy Thompson, and nose guard Kaynan Harris recovered the fumble at the ECU 49-yard line with 4:04 left in the half.