EL DORADO, Ark. - The 14th Murphy USA Classic did not go the way of the Muleriders. (RV) Southern Arkansas (6-2, 6-2 GAC) suffered its second loss of the season on Saturday as #6/7 Harding used its vaunted rushing attack to run past the Muleriders and remain unbeaten. The Bisons averaged nearly ten yards per play en route to a 54-20 win from inside El Dorado's Memorial Stadium.
 
Following HU's eight-play, 75-yard drive that opened scoring, the Muleriders with under 4:30 minutes to play as Kadyn Roach nearly went untouched to paydirt from 73 yards out on the first play of the Muleriders' second drive. Southern Arkansas then forced a punt after a three-play drive netted a loss of seven yards for the Bisons.
 
SAU would be unable to turn the ensuing drive into points, Harding responded by taking a 14-7 lead and after the Muleriders' fourth drive, its only drive of the second quarter, was turned away empty at the HU3, the Bisons rattled off six-straight scoring drives of which five found the endzone.
 
Southern Arkansas answered to start the second half on the legs of junior running back Jariq Scales who accounted for 55 of the drive's 65 yards including a 28-yard scamper through the middle of the Harding defense which cut the deficit to ten at 24-14 with just under three minutes gone in the third quarter.
 
The Muleriders' final score came early on in the fourth quarter as OB Jones connected with Matthew Whitten on a 30-yard strike to cap an eight-play, 80-yard drive.
 
Harding utilized 40 first-half plays to churn out 321 yards and build a 17-point halftime lead behind 18:13 in time of possession. All three of the Bisons' touchdown scoring drives covered 75 or more yards including a 13-play, 99-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock. It was much of the same in the second half as HU totaled 310 yards on 30 plays behind 17:56 in time of possession. In all, the Bisons held the football for over 36 minutes and converted eight of their ten third down situations.
 
SAU tallied 462 yards at 8.2 yards per play, its largest average this season. The Muleriders rushed 28 times for 264 yards at 9.4 yards per carry. Southern Arkansas held the football for just under 24 minutes and converted just five of its 11 third down situations.
 
Jones completed 15 of 23 attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown, while adding 89 yards on the ground on a team-high 14 carries. Roach led with 94 yards on just four rushes with the aforementioned long touchdown run. Scales recorded 96 yards on 14 touches and a rushing score. Six Muleriders caught a pass led by Jakarion Lockett's four receptions for 65 yards and Scales' four catches. Whitten hauled in three for 47 and the lone score through the air.
 
Hosea Singleton led with a dozen tackles, Jacob Berry followed with eight, while Melvin Smith Jr. and Damon LeGrande each added seven.
 
The Muleriders look to bounce back at home next weekend against Southwestern Oklahoma. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.