Box Score ADA – The East Central University football team fell to No. 16 Harding, 14-41, in Great American Conference action at Norris Field.

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The Tigers (6-3, 6-3 GAC) were led on the offensive side of the ball by junior Spencer Bond, who tallied 307 yards passing and 24 rushing.  Bond went 29-of-45, with one interception for the day and threw for two touchdowns.  Redshirt freshman Dezmon Jackson was the leader in the receiving column with 92 yards, while junior Gerald Pickett and sophomore Randall Case each caught a pass for a TD.

Defensively ECU was led by junior Jameel Whitley, who recorded 18 total (1-17) total tackles.  Senior Robert VanDeripe added six (1-5) tackles and an interception.

The Bison (8-1, 8-1 GAC) were the first to score, earning a rushing touchdown with 7:08 left in the first quarter.  The Tigers immediately responded with a 20-yard passing TD from Bond to Case with 5:18 left to play in the stanza.

Harding added to its point total twice during the second quarter to head into the locker room leading 7-21.

Both teams stepped up the defense in the third quarter, for a scoreless stanza.

The Bison struck again quickly in the fourth quarter, with a passing TD with 13:41 remaining to go up 7-26 after the extra point attempt failed.

Harding added another TD with 5:43 remaining in the game before the Tigers were able to respond and score their final points of the game with 3:44 left to play.
Bond connected with Pickett for a 14-yard pass that capped off a seven-play, 74-yard drive to push the score to 14-34.

However, the Bison added one more touchdown to the scoreboard with 40 seconds left on the clock for the 14-41 final.

ECU will now prepare for the final game of the 2014 season, when arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State comes to Norris Field, Saturday, Nov. 15 for a 2 p.m. kickoff.  The day is packed full of action, with the naming of the stadium occurring at 11:30 a.m.  The Great American Classic; The Hundred Year War is also the annual Chickasaw Appreciation Day.