RAPID CITY, S.D. --- For a game that hadn't been played in over 20 years, there was a lot to make up for as the Chadron State Eagles renewed it's rivalry with the South Dakota School of Mines football team Saturday afternoon in a first-ever meeting as Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents, on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City, S.D.
 
The game lived up to the hype as Chadron State was able to gain momentum late in the second half and stole the victory away from the Hardrockers, 37-33.
 
The Hardrockers delivered the first blow when junior quarterback Jake Sullivan hooked up with junior wide receiver Damon Barnes on a laser pass on a slant that resulted in a 60-yard sprint to the end zone. On the two-point attempt, the ball was fumbled and returned 98 yards for two points for Chadron State, 6-2.
 
SD Mines added to their lead later in the first quarter when Sullivan found senior Ben Broeker in the back of the end zone from 13 yards out. Sophomore kicker Robbie Jo Gerarden provided the PAT as the Hardrockers went up 13-3.
 
The Hardrockers struck again at the beginning of the second quarter when senior Marcus Sanchez caught a pass from Sullivan and then raced to the end zone for a 52-yard TD reception after a five-play 62-yard drive. Gerarden missed the extra point as SD Mines extended their lead, 19-2.
 
Chadron swayed the momentum scoring 14 unanswered points after a couple of SD Mines turnovers. At the midway point of the second period, the Eagles had cut into their deficit, 19-26.
 
The Hardrockers went back to work and after a 10-play, 60-yard drive, junior running back Dorian Cowart capped off the surge with a 1-yard TD run. Gerarden was good on the-point-after and SD Mines led 26-16 with just over three minutes left in the half.
 
Chadron again took the wind out of the Hardrockers' sails with a TD strike with three ticks on the clock. The Eagles went into halftime down by just three points, 26-23.
 
The Eagles would lead for the first time in the game at the 10:19 mark of the third quarter on a long TD reception after a six-play 54-yard drive, 30-26.
 
The Hardrockers fought back in the fourth quarter when Sullivan connected with Barnes again on a 10-yard TD reception after an 11-play 89-yard drive. Gerarden was good on the PAT to give the edge back to the Hardrockers, 33-30.
 
The Eagles answered on their next possession on their fifth TD reception of the game after a five-play, 28-yard drive. The score gave Chadron a 37-33 result which was the eventual outcome after a stalled Hardrocker drive and a missed 33-yard field goal attempt.
 
"Congratulations to Coach Long, his staff and his team for earning a hard-fought victory today at Dunham Field," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker. "The spirit of the Hardrockers and their fans was strong today, but we simply made too many mistakes to win an RMAC game against a quality program."
 
The Eagles finished with 453 yards of total offense while SD Mines tallied 470. The Hardrockers netted 221 yards rushing and collected 249 through the air. SD Mines racked up 23 first downs in the game to Chadron's 27. Turnovers played a huge part in Saturday's outcome. The Hardrockers committed three interceptions, had a fumble and a muffed kickoff that Chadron was able to take advantage of.
 
"The game hinged on our failure to protect the football on offense and in the kicking game and poor third-down execution by both our offense and defense," Tinker added.
SD Mines converted 4-12 on third down, but was 100 percent on fourth-down tries (4-4).
 
 Individually for SD Mines, Sullivan took all the snaps completing 15-26 for 249 yards. He threw four touchdowns but was responsible for three INTs. He also rushed the ball 12 times for 53 yards.
 
Junior running back Connor Silveria paced the Hardrockers with 87 rushing yards on 10 carries while Cowart carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards and a score.
 
Seven SD Mines receivers made receptions with Damon Barnes racking up 95 yards on five catches and two scores. Sanchez also got a score after three catches for 66 yards and Broeker had two receptions for 36 yards and a TD.
 
Defensively, senior David Jakpor led the Hardrockers with 16 tackles, including one for a loss as well as a pass break up. Sophomore Chris Counce added 13 tackles and freshman Harrison Beemiller and junior Michael Harlan both recorded eight tackles. Harlan also had a sack in the game (first play from scrimmage). Senior William Vi and sophomore Keean Mahler also recorded sacks for the SD Mines.
 
Senior Dominick Martinez had an interception for the 'Rockers and junior EJ DeVeaux had two pass breakups for the home team.
 
The loss drops SD Mines to 5-3 on the season. The Hardrockers will continue their home stand Saturday when they welcome Fort Lewis College to O'Harra Stadium for a 1 p.m. RMAC matchup.
 
"Our team is anxious to get back to work and demonstrate our love of the game and our team by putting our best foot forward next week against Fort Lewis," Tinker said.