Harper rebounds, pulls off big upset

Harper College has never started a football season 0-2 and finished in a bowl game.

The Hawks won't have to worry about that scenario this year. The NJCAA's 22nd-ranked preseason team rebounded from a heartbreaking opening loss by going to Michigan and upsetting No. 6 Grand Rapids 21-7 on Saturday afternoon.

It was the eighth time in 10 tries since 1993 the Hawks (1-1, 1-1 Midwest Football Conference) have won at Houseman Field.

Two fumble recoveries by linebacker Boone Freund set up Harper's second-quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Garrett Barnas (13-for-34, 168 yards) tied it with a 12-yard run.

Freund's second recovery was at the Grand Rapids 40 with 45 seconds left.

Barnas, who missed 14 of his first 17 passes with 3 interceptions, hit 3 consecutive passes and found Brian Mitz wide open in the end zone from 24 yards for a 14-7 lead just four seconds before halftime.

Barnas capped an 11-play, 87-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run with 51 seconds left in the third quarter. Ryan Fillingham went 3-for-3 on extra points.

Linebacker Aaron Diggs (Rolling Meadows) led Harper's defense with 13 total tackles and 1 for a loss. Jordan Hofer also played a pivotal role as he punted 12 times for a 47.1-yard average.

Harper goes on the road at 1 p.m. next Saturday to play Wisconsin-Whitewater's JV team. Harper's next home game is Sept. 15 against College of DuPage.