73,267 yards. It translates to 41.6 miles…approximately the distance from Russellville to Conway.
That’s how much ground the Harding University rushing attack has gained in the 16 seasons since the Bisons adopted their now vaunted flexbone, triple option offense in 2010.
Arkansas Tech University (4-6) will visit nationally second-ranked Harding (10-0) for the Wonder Boys’ season finale on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
Live coverage of the Arkansas Tech-Harding game will be available beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on KCJC 102.3 FM, www.rivervalleyradio.com/river-country and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Per usual, Harding leads all of NCAA football in rushing this season at 452.1 yards per game. The Bisons are more than 100 yards per game in front of the second-most prolific rushing offense at any level of NCAA football.
That advantage is the foundation that has allowed Harding to win 25 consecutive GAC games and amass a 42-1 record against conference foes since the beginning of the 2023 season. The Bisons were NCAA Division II national champions in 2023 and national runners-up in 2025. They have already clinched their fourth consecutive GAC championship.
Harding has scored 60 rushing touchdowns in 2026. The Bisons had more rushing touchdowns last week (10) in a 76-0 win over Southern Nazarene University than they have allowed (7) all season long.
“(Harding) does a really good job of putting the defense into one-on-one situations,” said Roy Thompson, ATU head football coach. “When that toss is made, it’s a split second and the ball is by you. When you play against those guys, everyone has to have great leverage on the ball and you have to make them play two-on-two. You have to get an extra hat to the ball.”
Saturday will mark the conclusion of an Arkansas Tech football season that has included narrow losses to the University of Arkansas-Monticello (30-27 on Sept. 26), East Central University (58-56 on Oct. 10), Henderson State University (28-27 on Oct. 24) and Oklahoma Baptist University (34-31 on Nov. 7).
A grand total of 10 points difference in their favor in those four games combined would have made the Wonder Boys 8-2 and fighting for an NCAA Division II Playoffs berth entering week 11. Instead, they are cast in the role of potential spoiler as they travel to Searcy for the season finale.
“When you lose four games by a total of nine points, you’re doing some things right, but we are also doing some things we need to improve on,” said Thompson. “The thing I’ve talked to the team about this week is, what is your capacity to do your job over and over and over again? How long can you focus for? How many times can you do your job perfectly? That’s what we’ve talked about all week, and the kids are locked in. We’re going to go out there and try to get after those guys.”
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
