RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines football team returns home this weekend for a big Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup. Saturday the Hardrocker turn their attention to an old foe they have not played in 21 year as SD Mines renews a rivalry with the Chadron State College Eagles.  
 
The Eagles and Hardrockers will meet at O'Harra Stadium in a 1 p.m. contest which has been dubbed "The Battle For the Eagle Rock Trophy: A Rivalry Renewed." This will be the first matchup between the two program since 1995 and it will certainly develop once again into a fierce RMAC rivalry. The trophy pays respect to both of the schools' mascots.
 
"It's an exciting time for our program because no one here has experienced this rivalry before. It's brand new to all of us," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker. "The rivalry has been dormant for a while so our guys are excited to see what this will feel like. I know it will be a raucous occasion."
 
Overall, Chadron State has edged out the rivalry by winning 44 times to the Hardrockers 24.  However, this year could likely play out very differently than the historical trend. The Hardrockers are currently tied for second in the RMAC with a 4-2 record (5-2 overall), while Chadron State has a 2-4 record in conference (2-5 overall).
 
"The Eagles are a fast physical team and they lost a bunch of close games this year," Tinker said. "That's the thing about the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. You have to win those close ones. They have been in these tight games and just haven't gotten the result."
 
Chadron State broke a five-game losing streak last week and will hope to continue their new winning ways after a 73-0 trouncing of New Mexico Highlands. Last week the Eagles ran for 441 yards, which is the third-highest in Chadron school history. The Eagles are very dangerous on special teams. Punt returner, Cody Paul, is in the Top 5 in NCAA Div. II in total returns, return yards, and return average.
 
"They are a hungry football team and playing well right now. They kind of got all their frustrations out last week and now they are feeling confident," Tinker said. "We can't wait for them to come here and we are looking forward to the fight."
 
SD Mines' two losses this season have been to CSU-Pueblo (37-10) and Colorado Mines (56-28), but  defeated Dixie State (31-27) and won by four touchdowns over Black Hills State, Adams State and New Mexico Highlands. They also knocked off William Jewell of Missouri (64-41) in the non-conference season-opener.
 
Following the Eagles' success at running the ball against New Mexico Highlands, Chadron State's offense is getting more balanced through seven games. It shows 1,355 yards passing and 1,347 rushing.
 
The Hardrockers offense continues to get the job done, ranked second in the RMAC scoring 285 points, 39 touchdowns and averaging 40.7 points per game. Chadron is ranked fifth in the standings averaging 31.7 points a game. SD Mine's passing offense is listed third in the conference (1,945 yards); and the rushing offense is second (1,673).
 
Individually for the Hardrockers, junior quarterback Jack Sullivan is second in the league for total offense (averaging 294.1 yards per game) and third in passing (averaging 234.4 yards per game). Sophomore kicker Robbie Jo Gerarden is fourth in the conference for scoring by a kicker with 44 points (35-36 on PATs and 3-6 on field goals). Senior wide receiver Marcus Sanchez is currently seventh in the RMAC for receiving yards (505 yards on 33 catches); junior running backs Connor Silveria and Dorian Cowart are both tied for seventh in the conference as each have 499 yards on the season.
 
Defensively, senior David Jakpor is eighth in the league with 56 total tackles while freshman Harrison Beemiller is 17 with 41. Junior Michael Harlan is tied for ninth in sacks this season with three so far while junior Alvin Aneke has recorded two. Junior Rafael Arellano is second in the RMAC for pass breakups with nine total while junior EJ Deveaux has racked up seven.
 
"We are unbeaten at home, and we need to keep it that way," Tinker said. "We need to bring our Hardrocker spirit on Saturday."
 
The game will be broadcast live on the RMAC Network at Stretch Internet by logging on to: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/ or you can tune into the radio broadcast by KKLS on 104.7 FM or 920 AM or online at: http://www.kkls.net/ .