Alva Review-Courier -

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – No. 23 Harding rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns, and Harding's defense intercepted three passes returning two of them for touchdowns in a 31-0 victory over Southern Arkansas Saturday in Great American Conference action at Wilkins Stadium. It was Harding's second consecutive shutout. The Bisons blanked Arkansas-Monticello 24-0 last Saturday in Searcy.

The victory was Harding's 11th in its last 12 GAC road games and snapped Southern Arkansas's 17-game home winning streak. Both teams are now 2-1. 

Harding drove 44 yards after the opening kickoff, holding the ball for more than seven minutes before fumbling at the SAU 31. Southern Arkansas then fumbled on its first play from scrimmage. Harding recovered and scored first on a 28-yard Grant Ennis field goal with 3:08 left in the first quarter.

Harding went 65 yards on 10-play drive on its next possession. On 4th-and-2 at the SAU 20, Tristan Tucker took a pitch around the right side and scored untouched to give the Bisons a 10-0 lead with 9:05 left in the first half.

Harding limited Southern Arkansas to only 52 yards in the first half, 16 passing and 36 rushing. The Bisons forced two turnovers, including V'Onte Williams's eighth career interception just before halftime. Harding held the ball for 22 minutes, 2 seconds of the first half.

Harding used two big runs from quarterback Preston Paden including a 21-yard TD run on a 6-play, 70-yard drive. It gave the Bisons a 17-0 lead with 7:28 left in the third quarter.

Senior safety Jacory Nichols gave Harding a 24-0 lead with 5:11 left in the third. He intercepted a pass at the HU 40 and weaved through traffic for a 60-yard TD. Sophomore Cade Pugh then took one back 36 yards for another interception returned for a TD. Harding led 31-0 with 4:31 left in the third. The last time Harding returned two interceptions for touchdowns was in 2011 against Southern Arkansas. Jasper Bodiford had a 44-yard return, and B.J. Jones took one back 52 yards.

Paden led Harding in rushing with 78 yards on 14 carries. Cole Chancey had 64 rushing yards on 14 carries and moved past Chris Pierson (1996-97) for fifth in career rushing with 2,530 yards.

Harding's defense held Southern Arkansas to only 175 total yards, forced four turnovers and limited the Muleriders to only 1-of-9 on third down. Harding last shutout Southern Arkansas in 2010, also the year the Muleriders suffered their last shutout at home 27-0 to Valdosta State.

Harding will be back in action next Saturday at home against Henderson State.