CLEVELAND, Miss. – Harding senior wide receiver Jordan Watson caught a 22-yard game-winning touchdown pass from senior quarterback Josh Powell with 28 seconds remaining to give the Bisons a 38-35 upset victory over 12th-ranked Delta State on Saturday in Gulf South Conference action.
The victory over Delta State was the first for Harding in 12 meetings between the schools. The Bisons had never beaten the Statesmen in Cleveland.
It’s been a tough week for Watson. Against West Alabama last week, he was the intended receiver on a potential game-winning pass on the last play of the game. The West Alabama defender knocked the ball away. Against Delta State, Watson pulled it in for his second touchdown reception of the game.
Harding (3-3, 1-3) had a huge first half and led Delta State 31-13 at halftime. Powell threw touchdown passes to Kurt Adams (44 yards), Watson (36 yards), and Kale Gelles (5 yards). Gelles also had a 17-yard touchdown run.
Delta State (5-2, 4-1) dominated much of the second half, scoring 29 straight points and taking a 35-31 lead with 11:03 left in the game.
Harding forced a Delta State punt and took over possession at the HU 34 with 2:25 remaining. On the Bisons’ first play, they caught a huge break. Gelles fumbled the handoff, but Watson made the recovery 14 yards down field.
Gelles atoned three plays later when he picked up a first down on a 4th-and-4 run. On 2nd down, Gelles hit a hole up the middle and sprinted 22 yards to the DSU 25.
After a three-yard run, Powell hit Watson on a roll out for the game-winner.
Delta State reclaimed possession with 23 seconds left and needed a field goal to tie, but Harding defensive end Jermaine Blanchard forced a fumble by Delta State quarterback Micah Davis. Josh Aldridge recovered the fumble, and Harding celebrated.
Gelles became the first Harding running back with four 100-yard games in a season since Chris Pierson had five in 1997. Gelles finished with 133 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown. Harding for 257 yards on 64 carries and have rushed for more than 200 yards and five of six games this season.
Powell completed 5-of-13 passes for 123 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Watson had three catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Adams had two catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Delta State had 430 yards of total offense, but had two costly fumblers and 12 penalties for 129 yards.
Harding had possession of the ball for more than 37 minutes, including 11 minutes, 19 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Senior linebacker Jason Thomasson led the Bison defense with eight tackles. Blanchard had 3.0 tackles for loss, including 2.0 sacks.
Harding will have another tough foe on the road next week. The Bisons will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to meet Henderson State.
by Scott Goode
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