SEARCY — Following his team’s NCAA Division II quarterfinal matchup Saturday with Texas-Permian Basin, Harding Coach Paul Simmons admitted that he wasn’t sure how the group would react to being pushed in a tight game.

After his Bisons endured 60 minutes of tug of war with the Falcons, he got his answer.

Cole Keylon supplied big play after big play for Harding (14-0), which established a cushion early and held on to it late to take a tough 34-28 victory at First Security Stadium.

The Bisons jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter but had to sweat out some tense moments over the final 15 minutes to book a spot in next week’s national semifinals, where they will play at Kutztown (Pa.).

“It was messy (Saturday),” a relieved Simmons said after his Bisons ran their home winning st

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