With a final step, senior John Gay kicks a field goal on Oct. 12. Gay kicked for nine extra points during the game, scoring all nine and contributing to the Bisons' 63-30 win over UAM. Matt Dobson Refusing to give up, senior D'Nico Best pulls out of the grasp of his defender on Oct. 12. Best had a season high of 71 rushing yards during the game. Matt Dobson Junior wide receiver Alex Rachal catches the ball in midair during the Bi sons' Sept. 14 game against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Harding won the game with a score of 69 to o. Jeff Montgomery MAKING ANATIONAL DEBUT 0 n Oct. 3, the football team played its 5oth game against Southern Arkansas University for a chance to close the gap with the Muleriders, who held an all-time 25-23-1 advantage. While this was an important victory, the game was better remembered as being the football team's debut on national television. CBS Sports Network aired the game in special primetime coverage, bringing a lot of attention to the two teams. Harding football coach Ronnie Huckeba believed the team was chosen because of its record from last year and its participation in the national playoffs. He added that Southern Arkansas University also had a very good record in 2012 and was invited to a bowl game that year, making it a good candidate for the honor as well. "Combine those things with the fact that we had a very exciting game with them last year, and I believe that led to our selection," Huckeba said. The players were confident in their ability to defeat Southern Arkansas University. While the all-time series was almost even, Harding had won its previous seven meetings with the Muleriders. The first half of the game left the teams tied at 14-14, but the Bisons did not get nervous. "No one panicked," Huckeba said. "We kept our poise because we knew we could come out in the second half and put the game away. We expect everyone that plays to contribute, and I believe they all did a great job." Even though the team had a rough first half, the Bisons were able to bring their team together. Senior Dallon Hudson, an offensive lineman on the team, emphasized the importance of that halftime transition. "Our coaches brought us together at halftime and calmed us down," Hudson said. "They let us know that we were a better team than the way we were playing. [They] told [us] to just forget about the cameras and just play for each other." CBS airing the game provided some valuable publicity for Harding and the football program, which helped recruit potential players for Harding after the game was aired. "There is a great deal of interest in our program right now," Huckeba said. "We did hear from some recruits that watched the game and were impressed." The national debut brought a lot of pride to those who have been a part of Harding for a longtime. "It probably is one of the most visible events that we've had on this campus of any kind," Greg Harnden, director of athletics, said. When the football team debuted on national television, it not only affected the athletic program, but it also impacted the school as a whole. "I thought the school was very well represented by the broadcast," Huckeba said. "If you have watched the replay or the live broadcast, I think you would have to agree. The people that I have interacted with that observed the broadcast came away very impressed by our university." The Bisons' appearance on TV was an honor commemorating a game well played by a team of players united under Christ and in their love for football. Their perseverance was evident throughout the game, and their ultimate victory served to peak high school students' interest in participating in the football program. Kelsey Pierce
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