September 27th, 2025 7:00pm
From Harding sports information:
SEARCY — The Traveling Trophy is on the move once again.
The No. 2 Harding Bisons relied on their familiar formula of ground dominance and an elite defense to defeat rival Ouachita Baptist 24-7 on Saturday night before an overflow crowd of 5,125 at First Security Stadium, improving their record to 4-0 on the 2025 season and bring the trophy back to Searcy after Ouachita won last year's meeting. With losses by Arkansas Tech and Henderson State, Harding is alone in first place in the conference standings.
The victory came in the 66th meeting in the historic rivalry, with the Bisons extending their all-time series lead to 35-27-4. Neither team has won more than two consecutive games in the series since Harding won 10 straight from 1991 to 2000.
The game was decided by the mismatch in the trenches: Harding's top-ranked NCAA Division II rushing offense exploited Ouachita's run defense, racking up 326 net rushing yards on 54 carries and controlling the ball for more than 35 minutes.
Fullback Andrew Miller, who entered the game averaging more than 8.5 rushing yards per carry, led the Bisons' attack with 119 yards and a third-quarter touchdown on 22 attempts. Slot back Braden Jay added two rushing touchdowns, including a decisive 28-yard score late in the third quarter.
Jay finished with 82 yards on 10 carries. The victory also improved the career starting record for two-time All-GAC quarterback Cole Keylon to 40-4. Keylon added 80 yards on the ground Saturday.