The Harding Bisons closed out a record-breaking 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll, released Monday.
The Bisons finished 15-1 and held the No. 2 position in every AFCA poll throughout the season, completing a wire-to-wire run among the nation’s elite. National champion Ferris State went undefeated at 16-0 and claimed the top spot following a 42-21 victory over Harding in the NCAA Division II National Championship game in McKinney, Texas.
Harding and Ferris State stood as the clear top two teams in Division II football all season, and their championship matchup reflected that dominance. After a close first half, Ferris State pulled away with a decisive 21-point third quarter.
The runner-up finish capped a historic year under head coach Paul Simmons, who guided the Bisons to a school record-tying 15 wins. Harding’s postseason run featured four consecutive victories over ranked opponents, beginning with a 38-16 win over No. 17 Northwest Missouri State, followed by a 37-21 win against No. 6 Pittsburg State.
The Bisons continued their march with a 34-28 victory over No. 5 UT Permian Basin in the national quarterfinals and a 49-27 win against No. 3 Kutztown in the semifinals to earn a spot in the title game.
In the final AFCA voting, Ferris State collected all 30 first-place votes for 750 points, while Harding secured 720 points. Kutztown finished No. 3 with 686 points, Newberry climbed to No. 4, and UT Permian Basin rounded out the top five.
The 2025 campaign stands as one of the most successful seasons in Harding football history, further cementing the program’s place among Division II’s national powers.
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