Nationally 25th-ranked Harding University used its trademark rushing attack to slowly pull away from Arkansas Tech University on Saturday afternoon and earn a 28-0 victory at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
The Bisons (9-2) amassed 360 rushing yards and maintained possession of the football for 40 minutes, 11 seconds to fuel their third consecutive win over the Wonder Boys.
Arkansas Tech concluded its 2018 season with a 3-8 overall record.
Twenty Wonder Boy seniors completed their eligibility on Saturday, and three etched their names into the ATU record book.
Running back Bryan Allen of Forrest City became Tech’s all-time leading rusher by carrying 19 times for 71 yards. He completed his four-year career in the green and gold with 3,622 rushing yards, eclipsing the previous mark of 3,603 yards established by Larry Brown from 1968-71.
Linebacker KJ Reid made 12 tackles and defensive back Cua’ Rose of McGehee notched nine tackles on Saturday. Rose completed his career with 295 tackles, sixth-most in Tech history. Reid finished with 287 career tackles, good for 10th on the Wonder Boys’ all-time list.
Two long Harding scoring drives in the first half gave the Bisons a 14-0 lead at the intermission.
Tristan Tucker capped a 13-play, 79-yard march with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 2:34 mark of the first quarter. Cameron Scott added the extra point to make it 7-0.
Jesse Honnas’ dive over the goal line with 11:49 remaining in the second quarter covered the final three feet of an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Scott’s point after touchdown kick was true and the Bisons’ lead grew to 14-0.
Harding received the opening kickoff to begin the second half and moved 72 yards in 14 plays for its third touchdown of the day. Cole Chancey’s 1-yard run and Scott’s extra point made it 21-0 with 6:07 to play in the period.
The Bisons completed their score sheet on Preston Paden’s 6-yard touchdown scamper and Scott’s ensuing PAT kick with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter.
Chancey carried 24 times for 126 yards and Paden finished with 11 carries for 56 yards. Sam Blankenship paced the Harding defense with eight tackles.
