MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (2-1) fell to the #2 ranked Harding Bisons (3-0) on Saturday night by a final score of 31-12. The 12 points scored in the game were the most allowed by the Bisons defense through the first three games.
 
The Muleriders received the ball to begin the game and drove down the field to the Harding 23-yard line before going for it on fourth down and coming up short to stall out and turn the ball over on downs. The Muleriders then went on defense for the first time in the game after chewing nearly eight minutes off the clock. The Blue and Gold's defense then forced a three and out from the Bisons as they took back over on offense.
 
The first quarter was a defensive struggle for both sides as neither team scored. The Bisons then broke the ice in the second quarter as they kicked a 33-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 9:55 to go in the second quarter. After a Mulerider fumble was recovered by Harding on the ensuing offensive drive, the Bisons scored their first touchdown of the game to take a 10-0 lead.
 
Another long drive for the Muleriders came up short of the endzone and the Bisons scored their second touchdown of the game to extend their lead taking a 17-0 advantage into halftime.
 
The Bisons offense came out of the break firing on all cylinders scoring another touchdown to stretch their lead, 24-0. The Muleriders offense then mounted a 23-play touchdown drive capped off by a one-yard Adam Parker touchdown run as the Blue and Gold cut into the Bisons lead, 24-6.
 
Harding did not wait long to score again though as Braden Jay took a rush 63-yards for a touchdown, as they went up 31-6. The Blue and Gold then forced a Bisons punt which was blocked by Tutt McGlothan and Dylan Ray to give SAU some late life in the contest. The Muleriders then cut into the Harding lead again as Hezekiah Harris connected with Deandra Burns Jr. in the endzone, 31-12. The rest of the contest was a defensive struggle as the game ended with a final score of 31-12.
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be on the road in Arkadelphia, Arkansas next weekend as they play at Henderson State University on Saturday, September 27th at 6:00 PM.
 
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