118 Football Eleven weeks of firsts, lasts, worsts, bests (continued from page 117) the Bisons put 23 points on the board, defeating the Reddies at home for the first time in the 20-year history of the series.The game, Henderson's first league loss, evened out ' Harding's record at 3-3 overall and put them back in contention in the A le at 1-1. But the win did not put Harding back on the winning track. It turned out to be more like the calm before the storm. Seemingly unable to win before a home crowd against Ale opponents, the Bisons were crushed by the almost-do-nothing-wrong University of Arkansas-Monticello team, 50-7. Harding seemed to want to give the ball away. Boll Weevil scores were set up by a blocked punt, an interception, a fumble from scrimmage, a fumbled kick-off and a second half interception on Harding's seven-yard line . Prock's squad managed a token score with 39 seconds left, preventing a shutout in what was al ready Harding's worst defeat in the school's 21-ye.ar football history. The Bisons were still in the midst of the pack, however, in spite of the loss and a less-than .500 record . Everybody in the AIC was beating everyone else. With three weeks left in the season Harding came into a tie fo r second in the AIC with a 15-12 win over Southern Arkansas UniverSity. They were then 2-2 in conference play. Putting together their best passing attack of the year, the Bisons passed for 128 yards, including a 24-yard pass from Jones to David Bangs which set up the winning 1 touchdown. "We finally clicked, " said Prock. Over 6000 fans packed Alumni Field stands the following week as the Bisons lined up against Ouachita Baptist for the Homecoming game. Trailing 6-0 in the second half, the gold and black clad Bisons marched 74 yards on their first possession of the half. With the ball inches from the goal , the game could have gone Harding's way , but in four attempts each runner was stopped cold. The game was assured for OBU when Ronnie Brooks punted 65-yards, rescuing the Tigers from trouble deep in their own territory. After a Harding runner fumbled on the next play, OBU came up with the ball and a first down on the Bisons' 20-yard Hne. A subsequent score dashed all hopes of a comeback for Harding fans. The season could not have ended worse than it did against the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, November 17. The Bears put together their best game of the season, producing 522 yards in total offense and snubbing the Bisons 42-6. To make the bad look worse, in the gam~ the Bears just happened to put the final touches on three AIC season records - most passing yards, most yards receiving and most touchdown passes caught. Harding ended the year 4-6 overall, 2-4 in the conference. Ii"
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