23 Oct 2024 Bisons football suffers first loss in more than two seasons

ARKADELPHIA — No. 1 Harding suffered its first loss in more than two seasons with a 17-13 loss to No. 9 Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 19 at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia.

The loss drops Harding to 6-1 overall and in conference. Ouachita Baptist improved to 7-0.

Harding led 13-10 at halftime, but Ouachita started a drive late in the third quarter that covered 48 yards on six plays and ended with Tiger wide receiver Connor Flannigan throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass back to quarterback Eli Livingston for the eventual game-winning touchdown with 12:58 remaining in the game.

Harding had seven drives in the second half but could not score.

The Bisons got two second-quarter field goals from Magnus Lepak, one from 52 yards and one from 42 yards.

Harding’s lone touchdown came on its first drive of the game. The Bisons drove 69 yards on seven plays with slot back Braden Jay throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Dane Romberger with 9:30 left in the first quarter.

Harding outgained Ouachita Baptist 288-198, but the Bisons converted only one of 12 third downs. The Bisons rushed for 218 yards on 50 carries.

Cole Keylon passed for 57 yards and was Harding’s leading rusher with 78 yards.

Clark Griffin led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles.

Harding returns to First Security Stadium next Saturday to host Southern Arkansas for Homecoming 2024.