Harding quite literally rushed their way to the national title in 2023.
The Bison ran for more yards than any team in NCAA history (6,161 yards) with their option attack, throwing the ball just 75 times through 14 games (an average of just over 5 times per game).
However, this year, they faced arguably the toughest path back to the national title game with two top five programs and national powers from the GLIAC placed in their Super Region 3 - Ferris State (D-II - MI) and Grand Valley State (D-II - MI) as well as Pittsburg State, Central Oklahoma, and Ouchita Baptist - all teams that D-II experts thought had the makeup and potential for a deep run to play for all the marbles.
After a dominant 48-3 win on the road over #3 seed Pitt State, Harding had to travel to Grand Valley State, where they then dismantled the #2 seed Lakers 44-26.
Their prize? A third straight road trip, and second consecutive road trip back to Michigan to take on #1 seed Ferris State.
That's a quick turnaround with some extensive travel for Harding, who are based in Arkansas.
Travel like that isn't cheap, and that's something that doesn't get talked about enough.
The NCAA does provide a stipend for playoff teams traveling, but that barely begins to cover the costs that are incurred.
Paul Simmons, the head coach at Harding since 2017, took to social media recently to expose just how costly these playoff runs are to small schools, and his insight into the strain it puts on programs chasing national title dreams should serve as an education for the majority of us.
Here's the message that Simmons shared publicly just after they beat GVSU as they were setting plans for a return trip to Michigan to take on Tony Annese and Ferris State - the winner of the previous two national titles (2021 and 2022).
We've taken the liberty of bolding some of the more prominent points.
Bison Faithful, this message is an attempt to answer the questions that I have repeatedly received since saturday’s game. Questions like, “how can we help the Brotherhood? Are there financial needs for the playoffs?“, etc. In no particular order, here are a few of the really hard things about the D2 playoffs that most people don’t know.
- One of the rewards for winning and advancing in the playoffs is being handed a really large bill from the NCAA for travel, meals, etc. I expect that we will come out of this game with Ferris State with a debt of close to 175k - just for our three road playoff games combined. That money is not budgeted and that money will have to be raised.
- The NCAA provides a playoff daily stipend for hotel rooms and for meals, but that stipend is only for 70 people total and it is not nearly enough to cover the daily cost of hotel and meal for a person.
- When a team has to fly, the NCAA pays for 70 people to fly. Anybody beyond that 70 person limit is charged $1000 to get on the plane. Our essential travel party - players, coaches, GAs, team doctor, managers is right at 100 people. Our bill for essential people will be at least 30K for each round and that does not include coaches wives or seniors that don’t get to dress out.
- During the regular season there is no player dress limit. At our home games every varsity player dresses and is with us on the sideline. For our road games we usually travel around 75 guys (would travel more but the cost is just too high).
- In the playoffs, each team is only allowed to dress 58 players. So for 17-20 of our finest young men, the playoffs are a really hard pill to swallow. They have worked like crazy all year and have been a huge part of every second of every day and suddenly they are not even allowed to travel with the team because of cost, much less dress out and be on the sideline. Extremely difficult situation and I hate it.
- If you are reading this and would like to help, please know that no gift is too small. If everybody that loved the Brotherhood and had the capability to give some, actually gave, we would probably be in pretty good shape financially. Every little bit helps!!
- How do I give?? If you can imagine a way to give, we will take it:) If you want to receive a receipt for your gift for tax purposes, you can either send a check addressed to Harding Football
Please send those checks to Steve lake in Advancement
Steve lake
915 East Market
HU box 12238
Searcy, Ar. 72149
Or you can pay by credit card directly to the Harding advancement office. Steve Lake (Head of advancement) 501-230-2668 will be happy to hear from you as well if you want to give through a different method - Stock, etc.
If you want to go the easier route, you can VENMO to this address @HUfootball1
Thank you all for the love and support. It means so much to all of us. Go Bisons, Honor God!
Today, against Ferris State, Harding's quest for the ever-difficult repeat came to an end with a 41-7 loss to the Bulldogs.
Many folks out there will find value in Simmons insight into just what goes into playing on the road for small colleges, and that will hopefully the spotlight provided will make the path a bit easier for teams moving forward.
Of course, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.