WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Football kept No. 2-ranked Harding within striking distance deep into the second half Thursday night, but costly miscues swung momentum in key moments of a 37-14 loss in the Bulldogs' home opener at Flex-Chem Field.
The Bulldogs led after the opening quarter and pulled within two points late in the third. The SWOSU defense helped keep the game within reach by forcing two turnovers and holding Harding to 314 rushing yards, its lowest total against a GAC opponent since 2024. Harding, however, capitalized on Bulldog miscues when opportunities arose and eventually created separation late.
After Harding opened the scoring with a field goal, SWOSU answered with a big play through the air. Knox Dyson connected with DeAndre Beasley for a 60-yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-3. The play was the longest reception allowed by Harding since 2023. The Bisons settled for another field goal later in the quarter, leaving SWOSU in front 7-6 after one.
The first costly swing came early in the second quarter. A muffed punt gave Harding possession at the SWOSU 27-yard line, and the Bisons capitalized on the short field with a touchdown to grab their first lead, 13-7.
SWOSU nearly produced an answer of its own on defense later in the half. CJ McKinney forced a Harding fumble that Malcom Gooden scooped up and returned for an apparent touchdown, but a penalty during the return wiped the score off the board. The takeaway still gave the Bulldogs possession in Harding territory, though the ensuing 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Harding added a 49-yard field goal as time expired to take a 16-7 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs fought back again in the third quarter. Charles Mutter led an eight-play, 80-yard drive and capped it with a 19-yard touchdown strike to Marcus Dockins Jr., trimming the deficit to 16-14 with 3:37 remaining.
But just as SWOSU had pulled back within a field goal, special teams again proved costly. Harding returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, immediately answering the Bulldogs' score and pushing the margin back to nine. The Bisons added a 57-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter and another score in the closing seconds to produce the final margin.
SWOSU finished with 254 yards of offense compared to Harding's 320, with 198 coming through the air. Dyson completed 4-of-9 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Mutter was 6-of-12 for 94 yards and a score. Beasley caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, giving him his second consecutive 100-yard receiving performance to begin the season, while Dockins added 40 yards and a touchdown. Mutter led SWOSU with 29 rushing yards, while Keith Rockwell paced the Bulldog running backs with 26 yards on four carries.
Defensively, SWOSU held Harding to just 3-of-14 on third down. Keshaun Jackson led the Bulldogs with 15 tackles, followed by Gooden with 10 and Madox Sekyere with eight.
SWOSU remains home next week to host Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday, September 19 at 6 p.m. as part of Family Day and the Flex-Chem Classic.
