Football | 11/19/2016 4:42:59 PM

Searcy, Ark. – Third seeded Harding rushed for 355 yards as they defeated sixth seeded Central Missouri 48-31 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
The Mules struck first as Garrett Fugate carried the ball 13 yards for a score at the 10:57 mark in the first quarter. Harding would answer though at 5:49 in the first as Michael Latu ran the ball in from three yards out. UCM would then answer just over two minutes later a Marquel McNac took a 27-yard pass from Fugate making it a 14-7 lead.
 
HU scored again to start the second quarter as Eric Simmons ran in from two yards out to tie the game back up. Billy Greco would then notch a 29-yard field goal with 9:14 to go in the half to put UCM back up three points. With 2:09 to go in the second quarter Park Parish ran from four yards out to help the Bison go back in front. In the final minute Jaylen Zachery caught a touchdown pass for UCM and Corey Bassett returned a kick 93 yards to make it a 28-24 advantage for HU heading into the half.
 
In the third quarter Kyle Echols took a 25-yard pass from Fugate to put the Mules back in front by a 31-28 tally. The Bison would answer, however, with touchdown runs by Eric Simmons and Park Parish to push their lead back out to 41-31. Park Parish would then extend the lead for the Bison hitting Andrew Dather for an 81-yard score making it 48-31 with 10:16 to play.
 
For the Mules Fugate finished 22- of -28 for 314 yards and three passing touchdowns also adding a score on the ground. Jaylen Zacher caught seven passes for 87 yards and a score while Echols finished with 72 yards and a score. On defense Tevin Teamer had a team high 18 tackles while Monteze Latimore finished with 10 stops.

UCM finishes 9-3 on the season and joined a trio of MIAA team in the post-season and two teams in bowls.