A New Chapter Under Coach Mote
Harding University football has kicked off preparations for the 2026 season with 125 players reporting to camp, all under the guidance of head coach Roddy Mote. The Bisons are looking to build on a 2025 campaign that featured a top‑three nationally ranked rushing offense and a defense that topped NCAA Division II in scoring defense.
The team returns 10 starters — five on each side of the ball — and adds 39 athletes who saw significant playing time in the 15‑1 season that culminated in an NCAA Division II National Championship game appearance. This continuity provides a solid foundation as the Bisons aim to sustain their recent success.
Leading the offensive charge is senior running back Andrew Miller, a 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy runner‑up and Darren McFadden Award winner. Miller set single‑season school records with 2,048 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns last year, anchoring a rushing attack that produced the most prolific season in college football history.
Harding’s flexbone system powered that historic rush, compiling 6,943 yards and 88 touchdowns in 2025, averaging 433.9 yards per game. The unit’s dominance helped the Bisons secure a 24‑game home winning streak that they will begin defending at First Security Stadium.
Defensive Strength Returns
On the defensive side, Justin Sobczak and Jordan Mays — both First‑Team All‑GAC selections in 2025 — return to lead a unit that limited opponents to just 12.8 points per game and held a 51.7% red‑zone conversion rate. Their experience forms the backbone of a defense that has been among the nation’s best in recent seasons.
The Bisons’ championship pedigree is evident in their recent history: a 2023 NCAA Division II title, a Super Region 3 final appearance in 2024, and a return to the national championship game in 2025. They have earned playoff berths in eight of the last nine seasons and hold 16 of the GAC’s 18 all‑time playoff victories.
Since 2016, Harding’s GAC record stands at 89‑10 (.899), with only one conference loss by more than 10 points since 2015. This sustained excellence positions the team as a perennial contender as they open the 2026 season at home against Northwestern Oklahoma State on September 3.
Looking Ahead
With a blend of explosive offense, stout defense, and a culture of winning, the Bisons enter the new season poised to extend their dominance. The upcoming matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma State will serve as the first test of their revamped roster and the continued legacy of a program that has become a benchmark in Division II football.