Harding's fans were in a celebratory mood as the team dominated the 2023 Division II national championship game.
The Harding Bison (15-0) completed a perfect season with a resounding 38-7 victory over the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (14-1). The Bison rushed for 507 yards on 58 attempts (8.7 YPC) and five touchdowns and passed the ball just twice in the national title game.
The top-ranked Orediggers scored at least 40 points on eight different occasions in 2023. This included an 82-0 victory over Fort Lewis on November 11, 2023. Prior to the seven-point effort against Harding in the championship game, the team’s lowest scoring output came in back-to-back 31-point performances to start the season (Grand Valley St., Angelo St.).
The Bison slowed 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy award winner John Matocha (24-of-33, 270 yards, TD, INT) with a ferocious pass rush that was unrelenting most of the afternoon. The Bison posted six quarterback sacks on the afternoon, with two coming from 2023 D2 AP first-team All-American Nathaniel Wallace. Wallace (6’2, 255), the 2023 GAC Defensive Player of the Year, finished the season with a career-high nine quarterback sacks and 10.5 tackles for losses.
Despite the loss, 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy award winner John Matocha (No. 10 pictured) completed 24-of-33 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown.
Harding senior WR Roland Wallace caught each of the Bison's two passes in the national championship game. One of the country's most versatile space blockers, Wallace finished his career with a 29.7 yards per catch average.
Harding's fans were in a celebratory mood as the team dominated the 2023 Division II national championship game.
Harding's defense presented a variety of looks for Colorado School of Mines quarterback John Matocha.
The Harding Bison averaged nearly 47 points per game while allowing just 11 points per outing in 2023. The team racked up 548 yards in the 2023 Division II national title game against the Bears.
Harding's Dre Hall (No. 9 pictured) got to the quarterback a step late as teammate Wesley Coleman (No. 99 pictured) finishes off a sack on Colorado School of Mines quarterback John Matocha in the 2023 D2 national title game.
The Harding defense was led by Dre Hall (No. 9 pictured) and Nathaniel Wallace (No. 32 pictured).
Harding DT Gage Price (No. 55 pictured making a goal line stop versus Colorado School of Mines RB Landon Walker) finished the D2 national title game with a 1/2 QB sack and 1.5 tackles for losses.
Colorado School of Mines LB JJ Lee makes a textbook tackle on the kickoff team versus Harding's Jhalen Spicer (No. 10 pictured).
Redshirt freshman kickoff specialist Magnus Lepak (No. 39 pictured) posted 101 kickoffs in 2023 with 32 going for touchbacks.
Colorado School of Mines wide receiver Max McLeod (seen getting tackled by freshman DB Troy Wiseman) caught 14 passe for 153 yards in a losing effort.
Harding RB Jhalen Spicer (No. 10 pictured breaking an ankle tackle) scored a touchdown in the national title game and finished the season with an eight yards per carry average on 70 rushing attempts.
Heston Kjerstad OF/1B-Bowie Baysox (Baltimore AA affiliate)
2020 Baltimore Orioles second overall pick Heston Kjerstad is currently batting .298 with eight home runs for the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore AA affiliate) in the Eastern League.
