IDJ edication, high goals, and over 525 hours of hard work were just a few reasons for the success of the 1987 Harding Bison football team. Above all, however, stood the committment that 55 young men and five coaches dedicated their efforts toward. The Bisons recorded the most wins that a Harding team has had since the AIC championship season of 1976. Apart from an unfortunate forfeited game in which the Bisons won Zl-0, the team achieved seven wins to only three losses. Their efforts throughout the season kept their NAIA playoff hopes alive going into the final game against Central Arkansas. Harding, after the forfeit to Evangel and a win over Tarleton State, faced nationally-ranked Southeastern Oklahoma on September 26. With the help of a school-record three touchdown catches by Mike Alexander and a strong defenseive effort, the Bisons defeated SEO, 24-14. The following week, conference play was started as the Bisons took on Arkansas Tech. . Behind Harding's nationally-ranked defense and a wide-open wishbone offense, the Bisons rolled to a 19-7 victory. After another victory over Lane College, 51-6, the Bisons lost their first game of the season in a heartbreaker against Henderson State. Despite winning the statistical battle, Harding took a 7-10 loss on the chin. The homecoming festivities the next week were dampened by a 21-35 loss to a strong Arkansas-Monticello team, but the Bisons had no intentions of throwing in the towel. Harding showed their resilience by defeating nationally-ranked Southern Arkansas the following week. Quarterback Greg Cox and wide receiver Alexander displayed an aerial show with touchdowns of 77 and 63 yards. Anthony Lowery hauled in a third touchdown pass of 35 yards. As usual, the defense pulled through. Linebacker Brooks Davis led the way with 13 tackles and one interception and was awarded the AIC Player of the Week Award. As a result of these fine performances, the Bisons prevailed 31-22, and the playoff picture was still in sight. A win over conference rival Ouachita Baptist, 17-10, increased Hardings' chances for the (continued on page 138) Football team. Front row: Harrison, Litskow, Wood, Thompson , Bingham, Phillips, Nier, Miller, Shoemaker, Reynolds, Culbreth, Rodgers, Gilliland, Oliver, Begay, Cannon, McPhee, Cook. Second row: Moser, Fox, Mole, Cohu, Taylor, White, Bowen, Gilmore, O'Neil, Stevens, Alshop, Norton, Lane, Wilcox, Rogan, Dugger, Citty, Lowery - coach, McDavid - coach, Kleinece - coach. Third ro.w: Peacock - coach, Watson, Laughary, Griffin, Buchannon, Gregory, Spann, Davis, Perry, White, Redding, Henry, Sawyer, Phillips, Kelly, Posom - coach, Huckeba - coach, Tribble - coach, Johnson - coach, Griggs - Trasher. Back row: Chambers, Alsup, Collins, Wyley, Perry, Clay, Watson, Dudley, Escue, Moore, Forte, Segares, Le Doux, Adkinson, Alexander, Cox, Leverson, Varner. - photo by Ken Bissell. 1 gb A1hletics Football Football MEN'S AIC FOOTBALL TEAM RESULTS University of Central Ark...... 6-0 Southern Arkansas University 3-2-1 Harding .................... 3-3 Henderson State University .. . . 3-3 Univ. of Ark. at Monticello .. . 2-4 Ouachita Baptist University .... 2-4 Arkansas Tech University .... 1-4-1 The end. Coach John Prock retired after this year's season. This year marked his 20th year at Harding. - photo by Bill Tripp.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==