SEARCY — Fireworks were provided before and after Harding’s season-opener against Southern Nazarene on Thursday night.
The Bisons were the ones furnishing the in-game explosives.
The defending NCAA Division II national champions used a blistering first half to stampede their way to a 59-0 victory over the Crimson Storm at First Security Stadium.
Top-ranked Harding (1-0) scored touchdowns on six of its nine possessions over the first two quarters to put the Crimson Storm in a hole that the Bisons’ defense wouldn’t allow them to escape.
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“Before the game, I challenged the guys,” said Harding Coach Paul Simmons, whose team built a 42-0 halftime lead and never turned back in winning their 20th straight game dating back to the 2022 season. “I told them that everybody’s got a level of physicality, a level of aggression, but at a certain point, everybody’s got to tap out.
“We’ve all got that level. I’ve got that level, our players have got that level. I wanted them to see how high (Southern Nazarene) was, but I think ours was pretty high in this one.”
The Bisons pushed around their Great American Conference counterparts the entire night, but they offered up a game’s worth of excitement over the first 30 minutes of play.
Cole Keylon accounted for three touchdowns and Blake Delacruz carried 11 times for 95 yards and 2 scores for Harding, which had 425 of its 607 yards of offense in the first half.
Simmons’ team was just as crushing defensively, limiting Southern the first to one first down and 3 total yards in that half.
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About the only thing Harding didn’t do right at times was hold on to the football. The Bisons had three fumbles, which didn’t exactly sit well with Simmons.
“I was certainly pleased with our level of physicalness,” he said. “I was happy with the way we started, too, but I was disappointed big time in giving the ball away like we did. But in fall camp, there’s such a fine line in taking care of your guys and keeping them healthy that sometimes you don’t get enough hits
“Those are some of the things you worry about in the first game, but I’m glad we were able to overcome them.”
Southern Nazarene didn’t do itself any favors either.
The Crimson Storm, who were held to 49 yards for the game, used up just 52 seconds on their first drive and went three and out before punter Adam Atwell fumbled the ensuing snap on fourth down. He was subsequently tackled at Southern Nazarene’s 5-yard line.
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Harding needed only one play to score when Delacruz busted through a gaping hole on the right side for a touchdown with 13:57 to go in the quarter.
Things went even smoother for Harding on its next try. Following another short-lived possession by Southern Nazarene, the Bisons moved 73 yards in eight plays, with Keylon sprinting inside for a 9-yard touchdown.
That perfect beginning quickly came to a halt on back-to-back series.
Delacruz and Stone Sheffield had fumbles deep inside Crimson Storm territory. Had either not coughed the ball up, they both may have scored untouched. The Bisons also had a fumble at the Crimson Storm’s 31 with 40 second left before halftime.
Those hiccups only temporarily slowed Harding’s onslaught. Keylon pushed the Bisons’ lead to 21-0 with a 1-yard score at the 13:44 mark of the second quarter, and Delacruz added a 15-yard touchdown run a little more than five minutes later.
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Harding even had a passing score in the half when Keylon connected with Braden Jay in the back of the end zone on a 21-yarder. That touchdown came two plays after linebacker Kekoa Carroll recovered a fumble at Southern Nazarene’s 23.
Andrew Miller, who finished with 129 yards rushing on six carries, got in on the act with an 88-yard touchdown run that helped Harding build its 42-point lead at halftime.
The Bisons tacked on a quick score in the third quarter as Josh Evan-Pickens dashed in for a 21-yard touchdown with 11:35 remaining. Magnus Lepak tacked on a 33-yard field goal later in the quarter, and Malik Young plowed his way to a 21-yard score with 12:18 left in the game.
“I think we played well offensively, and our defense played lights out,” Simmons said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but this was a pretty good way to start things off.”
Evan Rader had 37 rushing yards for Southern Nazarene, which lost to Harding for the sixth straight time.
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Harding quarterback Cole Keylon (right) runs the ball around Southern Nazarene linebacker Carter Brock during the first half of the Bisons’ 59-0 victory at First Security Stadium in Searcy. Keylon accounted for three touchdowns. More photos at arkansasonline.com/96harding/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas law enforcement agencies are hosting their 16th-annual Drug Take Back Day this month.
The event is designed so that Arkansans can safely and anonymously dispose of any expired, unused or unwanted medications. Officials say they want to prevent opioid misuse, reduce accidental poisonings, protect waterways from contamination and keep communities safe.
Its set to take place on Saturday, April 25.
“Arkansas Drug Take Back Day continues to bring communities together in the fight against substance misuse, and we’re proud to play such a vital part in it,” said Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP). “We invite Arkansans to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets, drop off unneeded prescriptions and protect their families and neighbors.”
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Arkansans destroyed 26,500 pounds of medication during the fall 2025 Drug Take Back Day. Since 2010, over 342 tons have been destroyed.
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the transfer portal reshaping rosters overnight and elite freshmen arriving every summer, projecting the next college basketball season has become an exercise in controlled chaos.
Still, a handful of programs have positioned themselves early as national title contenders through roster continuity, program consistency and coaching stability.
Arkansas will once again be in the mix, but its true preseason forecast will come once the portal is mostly wrapped up. Coach John Calipari knows what type of player he needs to add for his team to advance past the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and probably won’t sleep a whole lot until he signs at least one major contributor in the paint.
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No. 1 seed Michigan had a stellar run in its second season under coach Dusty May, who competes for a national championship against No. 2 seed UConn Monday night. He goes up against two-time championship coach Dan Hurley, who is looking to join elite company by winning his third trophy with the Huskies.
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Which teams are best equipped already for next season? Here’s an early look at who can make a run in 2026-27.
1. Michigan
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UConn Huskies forward Jaylin Stewart (3) possesses the ball against Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) in the first half during the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Wolverines absolutely make sense regardless of if they win a national title Monday night. May added a commitment from 5-star guard Brandon McCoy Saturday who projects to be a lead guard at the next level.
Key big man Yaxel Lendeborg will be a huge loss after being a critical piece to Michigan’s championship game run. Power forward Morez Johnson should return after averaging over 13 points and seven rebounds per game.
Another likely returnee is Trey McKenney, who played well as a freshman averaging 11 points and 44% shooting in the month of March.
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1B. UConn
UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) reacts after a made three point basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Whether Hurley’s bid for a third title falls short, his brilliant coaching in the NCAA Tournament is worth keeping the Huskies near the top of all college basketball rankings.
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Veterans such as Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed are seeing their eligibility expire while freshman Braylon Mullins could opt to enter the NBA Draft.
Veteran guard Silas Demary has been a nice addition from Georgia out of the portal this season and will likely return as the Huskies’ starting point guard.
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3. Duke
The Blue Devils are set to lose the Boozer twins, but have signed capable replacements in true freshmen Cameron Williams and Deron Rippey, Jr.
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Coach Jon Scheyer’s group will continue to run the ACC until anyone else decides to be up for the challenge. If he can find a way to keep Patrick Ngongba around for next season as his key big man, then there’s no reason to count out Duke as national title favorites once again.
Duke Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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4. Michigan State
No one will ever doubt coach Tom Izzo’s ability to assemble a championship contender and he did just that with Coen Carr, Jeremy Fears and company this season.
With a top high school recruiting class and a couple of key portal additions on the perimeter, the Spartans will be Big Ten title contenders and earn a Top 4 NCAA Tournament seed.
5. Illinois
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Coach Brad Underwood has made the Fightin’ Illini a raging success and nearly led his team to the promised land this season.
He discovered freshman wing Keaton Wagler before anyone else, and became a household name and potential lottery pick after arriving to school as aTop 150 prospect.
Lightning might not strike twice next year, but he’ll probably have another solid team built for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Sharpshooter Andrej Stojakovic and forward David Mirkovic are both expected to return after playing key roles in Illinois’ first Final Four run in two decades.
6. Arizona
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The Wildcats were no match for Michigan in the Final Four and are likely going to lose key freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries to the NBA Draft. Keeping veteran big man Mo Krivas and key wing Ivan Kharchenkov in the rotation is key.
Adding McDonald’s All-American MVP Caleb Holt won’t hurt either as the next great freshman for the Wildcats.
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7. Arkansas
Coach John Calipari knows his biggest assignment will be adding a big man or two to round out his rotation. He has a three 5-star freshmen in Jordan Smith, Jr. (No. 2 ranked prospect, JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure coming in with potential key returnee Billy Richmond to potentially lockdown the perimeter.
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Jordan Smith Jr during the McDonalds All American Boys Game at Desert Diamond Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arkansas fans are hungry to see their team get back to the Final Four and have been inching closer each of the previous five seasons.
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8. Purdue
The Boilermakers are set to lose All-American guard Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn which will be hard to come back from for any team.
However, Matt Painter continues to reload with guys who often fly under the radar or lesser known on the recruiting trail out of high school. His next team may not be as talented, or veteran laden but should be fixtures in the Big Ten no matter what the offseason brings.
9. St. John’s
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Arkansas guard Boogie Fland (2) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) fight for a rebound against St. John’s guard Aaron Scott (0) during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Amica Mutual Pavilion. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The Red Storm will find it tough to replace versatile big man Zury Ejifor, but if anyone can do so it’s hall of fame coach Rick Pitino. His team has been close to breaking into national title contention over the previous two seasons.
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Pitino’s combination of Ian Jackson, Dylan Darling and Ruben Prey can give St. John’s a boost next season.
10. Alabama
Nate Oats has the Crimson Tide at a level never before seen in Tuscaloosa with at least a Sweet 16 or better finish in each of the previous four seasons.
Star guard Labaron Philon is probably headed to the league as a mid-first round prospect which leaves a gaping hole in Alabama’s rotation for next season.
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Top 20 freshman guard Qadyden Samuels is potentially a solid replacement with a complete offensive skillset as a three-level scorer. If his length translates well to college, he can be an exceptional perimeter defender.
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Oats will need to find a way to keep key big men such as Amari Allen and Aiden Sherrell around or pick up a couple out of the transfer portal to stay near the top of the SEC.
Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats looks on in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. | David Banks-Imagn Images
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11. Iowa State
The Cyclones were on the verge of a breakthrough before falling short in the Sweet 16. Losing All-American Joshua Jefferson early in the tournament sidelined any hopes of coach T.J. Otzelberger leading his team to its first Final Four since 1944.
Iowa State will probably make a strong run in the portal to replace other key contributors. But one thing is sure that this program has staying power on the national scene.
12. Kansas
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Kansas Jayhawks forward Justin Cross (25) is welcomed by Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self before the Sunflower Showdown game against Kansas State Wildcats inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. | Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Each passing year it seems that the biggest question is whether or not coach Bill Self will return for another year.
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He is, at least this year, but even with his exceptional recruiting skills and a deep portal budget, it seems like a slight nosedive has taken place since winning the national title in 2022.
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Star freshman Darryn Peterson’s one-and-done stay in Lawrence certainly didn’t live up to the hype. Big man Flory Bidunga is currently evaluating his options, which shouldn’t give anyone a reason to rank the Jayhawks higher.
