SEARCY -- Another week, another one-point win for Harding in the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday but a carbon copy it was not.
The 3,100 spectators at First Security Stadium could so attest. As against Central Missouri last week, the Bisons matched scores with quarterfinal opponent Grand Valley State. That one ended 35-34, the Bison blocking an extra point after the opponents' fifth touchdown.
This one was much more taut with a football truism emanating from the 7-6 Harding victory: A touchdown and extra point beats two field goals every time.
Cole Keylon went over from one yard out on fourth and goal with 3:52 left, the 15th play of a 73-yard drive that took one second short of nine minutes. Grant Ennis' extra point, as against Central Missouri, made the scoreboard difference.
And thus, shortly after 3:30 p.m., did Harding become 13-0 and qualify for the Division II semifinals. Grand Valley State fell to 11-2 in the teams' first meeting.
Josh Garball's two second-quarter field goals, the latter coming with no time on the clock, stood up through 56 minutes, 8 seconds of clock time. Grand Valley drove 50 yards in 13 plays for its first score, 13:12 showing, and beat the clock for the matcher, going 54 yards in nine plays in the last 1:05
Harding converted two first downs on the tall-tale drive from the Bison 27 with 12:51 to play. Keylon passed to Braden Jay for 20 yards on third and fourth at the H33 and kept for three yards on third and two at the GVS 25. Reaching the eight, Harding called time out on third and goal at the two; GVS returned the favor after stopping Blake Delacruz a yard short.
Clark Griffin turned back Avery Griffin after a seven-yard gain on fourth and 13 from the GVS 32. After a Harding punt, GVS started at its 14 with 1:47 left. The visitors, in a no-huddle look, gained one first down but reached only the 35 where Griffin pressured Alex Thole into intentional grounding on fourth and two.
Keylon twice took a knee to kill the last 1:09 for the Great American Conference champions, coached by Paul Simmons.