MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The (RV) Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (2-0 GAC) clash on Saturday night with the (#2/2) Harding University Bisons (2-0 GAC) for a slugfest as each team battles to stand atop the Great American Conference Standings and remain unbeaten. Since 2023, Southern Arkansas and Harding have been the top two winningest programs in the GAC. The matchup also features two top 10 teams in Division II in terms of offensive yards per game and rushing yards per game. Saturday's game will also be Family Day at Southern Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM Saturday, September 20th.
 
Series History
The Muleriders and Bisons will meet this weekend in Magnolia for the first time since 2021.  The Bisons currently lead the all-time series history with a 32-27-1 record over the Muleriders. The first meeting between the two teams took place on October 16th, 1925, resulting in a 19-0 Mulerider win. The most recent meeting came on October 26th, 2024, a 49-17 win for the Bisons. Throughout the series, the teams average 18.18 points per game.
 
A Look at SAU
The Muleriders are currently 2-0 after a win in Bethany, Oklahoma, over Southern Nazarene last weekend by a final score of 26-18. The Muleriders emerged victorious thanks to some big plays like the 53-yard pass and catch from Hezekiah Harris to Katrevion Thomas for the touchdown. The Muleriders' offense also had a big day on the ground as they rushed for 257 yards as a team. Katrevion Thomas, as the game's leading rusher and receiver, as the redshirt freshman from Mineral Springs, Arkansas had 21 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. After last weekend's performance, Thomas currently ranks tied for first in the GAC in touchdown scoring. The Muleriders' offense currently ranks ninth in Division II for total offensive yards per game with 486. The Rushing attack for the Blue and Gold also ranks seventh in Division II for rushing yards per game with a mark of 280.5.
 
Junior running back Arkez Gomez leads the team in rushing with 144 yards on the ground. Katrevion Thomas does not trial Gomez by far, however, as he has totaled 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns through two games thus far. Gomez currently ranks sixth in the GAC in rushing yards. Hezekiah Harris currently leads the passing attack for the Blue and Gold with 269 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Jacob Trussell leads all receivers with 87 yards. The offense ranks second in the GAC in rushing yards per game, only behind Harding.
 
The Muleriders' defense looked stout yet again in the win as Zay Woods collected another interception for the Blue and Gold, bringing the team's total to four INTs through two games. Kendrick Juniel leads the team in tackles with 17 total after coming off a monster 10 solo tackle performance against the Crimson Storm. Hunter Hewitt is currently second on the team in tackles with 12 total and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with two. Four players on the defense have also recorded an interception this season. The defense ranks third in the GAC in rushing yards allowed.
 
A Look at Harding
The Bisons are coming off a dominant 55-0 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State last weekend. Harding currently sits ranked second in the most recent AFCA DII Coaches poll and will look to continue their winning ways this weekend. The Bisons' offense has been on a roll in the first two games of the season, outscoring opponents 104-7 in their two wins thus far. The Bisons are currently ranked inside the top 10 in Division II in many categories, including rushing offense (460 ypg) and total offense (511.5 ypg) to name a few.
 
Andrew Miller currently leads the Bisons' rushing attack with 179 yards and is tied for the team lead with two rushing touchdowns. Despite not having much of a passing game, Bisons' Cole Keylon has totaled four completions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Brady Barnett leads all receivers with 32 yards, while Drew Porter has caught the only receiving touchdown for the Bisons through two games.
 
Clark Griffin leads the Bisons' stout defense with 21 total tackles and is tied for the team lead with 1.5 tackles for loss. The stingy defense for the Bisons only allows 140.5 yards per game and an average of 3.5 points per game.
 
Broadcast Information
The game will be broadcast live on HudlTV and on KVMZ 99.1 with Dan Gregory and Ryan Phillips calling all the action. Click here for the Southern Arkansas University team site to watch all the action.
 
To buy tickets for the game against Harding, click here.
 
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