The Bison "comeback kids" prove themselves in the NCAA The "cardiac kids" of the 1996 Harding University Bison football team gave fans a season full of thrills and excitement. The season will go down in history as one of the most exciting in the history ofBison football. Last-second, come-from-behind victories kept fans on the edge of their seats and had them coming back for more. This year's squadwas the first in Harding football history to win all five home games. A come-from-behind win in the opening game of the season at home against Arkansas Tech got the season off to a spectacular start. The Bisons bounced back four times in a victory that went down in the record books as the highest combined scoring game in Harding football history. The hero of this game was senior quarterback Clay Beason who set school records for total yardage and most passing yards in a single game. The Bisons broke the school record for total yardage in a 50-21 victory over Ouachita in the Homecoming game. The crowd of 7,000 watched the Bisons gain a total of 572 yards, which eclipsed the old record set in 1994. Beason broke another school record by completing four of five passes for touchdowns. The Bisons' 50 points were the most points scored by a Harding football team since 1991. ------- ~ ----· I "We came together at the end of some games and were able to get back at some teams that had defeated us the year before," senior linebacker and captain Orlandor Joseph said. "We had a lot of talent on this team and it was fun to watch and be a part of it," Beason said. This year's team competed against difficult competition without being eligible for a conference championship or for an NAIA playoff berth. The team found motivation fromwithin the ranks and pulled together to complete a successful 6-4 season. The coaching staff emphasized hard work, dedication, and most importantly, teamwork. The long hours of practice in preparation for the games, the dissecting of game films and the endless player and coaches meetings paid off in the form of togetherness and team victories. "The coaches worked hard, and they worked us hard. They led us in the right direction," Joseph said. The players showed their appreciation for the coaches by working hard in practice and giving their all each game day. "This was a great group of guys to work with; I am proud of everyone associated with this team," Coach Randy Tribble said. - Lance Lemmonds Football. First row: J. Tribble, Cobbs, J. Thompson, Cuffie, Derrick, May, Evans, Pierson, Allen, Chism, Z. Tribble, L. Tribble. Second row: Window, Hurley, Beason, Patton, Stroud, Nichols, Fager, Cullins , Duncan, Polk, Cunningham. Third row: Lanier, Mashburn, Huntley, Cardoso, Rivera, McCondichie, D. Walker, Poulian, Harris, Colon, Vanderburg, Gilliam. Fourth row: Rush, Rudesill, Edwards, Harr, Davenport, Davidson, McDaniel, Murray, Howell, Morgan, DeArman, Scudder, Shastid. Fifth row: Neil, Campbell, Caffey, Dismang, Allison, Mote , Huckeba, R . Tribble, Frank, Ragsdale, M. Byrd, Brinson, Beavers, Haney. Sixth row: Tarter, Simpson, Bishop, Holt, R. Thompson, Casey, Berreth, Lingenfelter, Blasdel, Bagley, Gutierrez, Griffith, A. Walker, H.Hill. Seventh row: Hayes, Gonzalez, T. Byrd, Blount, Ford, Grimes, Sciba, Hagan, Strine, Whinery, Zdunek, Martin, Green. Eighth row: Jones, Madar, Nelms, C. Smith, Cook, J. Smith, Davis, Joseph, Johnson, White, Nieman, Gillson. Ninth row: Wade , Hutchison, Webster, Banker, Patterson, Wright, S.Hill, Griffin, Nichols, Young. Tenth row: McClure, Morse, Jordan, Carroll, Rye, Predmore, Phillips, Harriman. Photo by Jeff Montgomery. Football 265
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