ADA, Okla. - The East Central University football team fell short against the fourth-ranked Harding University Bisons in a 34-7 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Koi Ishto Stadium. In what was their second-to-last home game of the season, the Tigers battled hard but were unable to keep pace with the Bison attack throughout the contest.
With the defeat, ECU's three-game win streak came to an end as they dropped to 4-6 in GAC play, while Harding improved to 9-1.
Harding took control early in the game, quickly moving 60 yards in just five plays on their opening drive, capped by a 21-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 10:54 remaining in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Bison continue to extend their lead. A 38-yard field goal midway through the period gave them a 10-0 advantage, and just a few minutes later, with 3:41 left in the half, they added another touchdown with a 29-yard run, pushing the score to 17-0.
Despite the uphill battle, the Tigers showed resilience. With 1:43 remaining in the second quarter, East Central's defense provided a spark. After Amajah Lewis forced a Harding fumble, Tavare Smith Jr. scooped up the loose ball and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point from Brandon Perez made it 17-7, giving the Tigers a glimmer of hope heading into the break. However, Harding answered quickly, tacking on a 27-yard field goal with just 7 seconds left on the clock, and went into halftime leading 20-7.
The second half saw more of the same, as Harding continued to dominate. Early in the third quarter, a 29-yard run from Harding's running back pushed the lead to 27-7. ECU struggled to find rhythm on offense, and despite a few bright moments, the Tigers were unable to mount a significant comeback.
In the fourth quarter, Harding sealed the victory with a methodical 11-play, 97-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run, bringing the final score to 34-7.
Quarterback Sergio Kennedy completed 13-of-19 passes for 54 yards. On the ground, Cade Searcy and Myles Featherston were the top rushers with Searcy netting 29 yards on 10 carries while Featherston had eight attempts for 26 yards. In the receiving game, Bryce Bodkin was the leading receiver, catching three passes for 28 yards.
On defense, Darian Williams anchored the defense throughout the game, leading the Tigers with 11 total tackles. Amajah Lewis was also a key contributor, recording 8 total tackles and adding a tackle for loss along with a forced fumble. Tavare Smith Jr. made a significant impact with 6 total tackles and a crucial fumble recovery for 65 yards. Additionally, Prince Umanmielen was disruptive in the backfield, registering 3 tackles for loss totaling 12 yards.
The ECU football team will return to Ada for their final game of the 2024 season, facing off against rivals Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the Great American Classic presented by Simmons Bank on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 pm. Prior to kickoff, the Tigers will also celebrate and honor their senior players.
