Defensive End Tom Harder took up residence in opponents’ backfields more than any other player in school history. He set the school record for tackles for loss as a three-year starter.
In his career, Harder had 215 total tackles, including 120 solos. He had an eye-popping 73 tackles for losses and seven fumble recoveries. In the final 35 games of his career, he averaged nearly 2.5 TFLs per game.
Harder came to YSU in 1975 and was a member of the scout team for his first two years with the program.
In 1977 he became a starter for Bill Narduzzi and helped guide the Penguins to a 7-3 mark. Harder registered 57 total tackles for the season. He had 30 solos and 27 assists. He was credited with 13 tackles for losses and recovered two fumbles.
The Penguins reached the Division II playoffs for just the second time in school history in 1978 and finished the year 10-2. For the year, Harder had 69 total tackles, including 40 solo stops. He led the way with 29 tackles for losses, recovered three fumbles and had an interception.
In the playoffs, Harder stepped up with 13 total tackles, nine of which were for losses. He had eight solo stops and five assists that postseason.
In the first postseason win in school history against Nebraska-Omaha, Harder was credited with eight TFLs. At Eastern Illinois he had his first career interception, but the Penguins dropped a tough 26-22 decision to the Panthers.
As a unit, YSU allowed 14 points or less in eight contests in 1978.
The 1979 Penguins reached the first National Championship Game in school history advancing to the Zia Bowl to play Delaware during his senior campaign. Both of the Guins’ losses in 1979 came to the Blue Hens as they finished the campaign with an 11-2 mark. The defense allowed eight points or fewer in seven of 13 games that year.
For the season, Harder had a career-high 89 total tackles, 50 of which were solo stops. He had a school-record 31 tackles for losses and recovered two fumbles. He was a first-team all-conference pick during the campaign.
In three postseason games, he was credited with 25 total stops, including 12 solos and six TFLs. The Penguins destroyed their first two playoff foes outscoring them 102-7.
He was part of YSU’s Mid-Continent Conference Championship teams in 1978 and 1979.
Harder earned his degree from YSU in business administration. He has worked as a courier for FedEx for 29-plus years.
A native of Penn Township, Pa., he graduated from Penn-Trafford High School where he was a two-year starter for the football squad and was a member of the track and field team.
He and his wife, Cindy, have three daughters - Asher, Addi and Abigail. The family resides in Middletown, Pa.
