RAPID CITY, SD. --- After a very successful home stand, the South Dakota School of Mines  football team heads out for its longest trip of the season this weekend as they travel to Las Vegas, N.M., to play the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup. 
 
The Hardrockers picked up their second-straight win last week vs. the Adams State Grizzlies (first-ever meeting) in another impressive offensive display. The Hardrocker high octane offense have scored 108 points in their last two contests and will look to keep this momentum rolling.
 
New Mexico Highlands has yet to pick up a win this season, most recently losing to Black Hills State, 36-10. The Cowboys are 0-4 in the RMAC and 0-5 on the season. 
 
"They're a very physical football team," said Head Coach Zach Tinker. "They will try to hold on to the football and possess it the entire game."
 
The Cowboys currently rank last in the RMAC in several team categories, including: scoring offense, total offense, and total defense.
 
The Hardrockers now have the second highest scoring offense and total offense in the RMAC and are sitting in third place in the conference standings, just a half a game behind BHSU (4-1, 4-1) and Colorado Mesa (5-0, 5-0) .
 
There are three junior Hardrocker ball carriers on the RMAC Top 10 list for rushing: Jake Sullivan (eighth with 313), Connor Silveria (ninth with 306), and Dorian Cowart (10^th with 306).  Sullivan is also third in the RMAC in passing efficiency (165.4).
 
Sullivan is also second in the league for total offense (1,437 yards), fifth in scoring (42 points). Sophomore PAT kicker Robbie Jo Gerarden leads the conference with 26-26 on extra points, senior Rashad Ridley is fifth in all-purpose yards (636) and junior Dorian Coward ranks ninth with 513 all-purpose yards. Senior Martin Rodriguez is first in the RMAC for punting averaging 40.6 yards a punt.
 
On the defensive side, David Jakpor and Michael Harlan have excelled. Jakpor is third in the RMAC in tackles and Harlan is fifth in tackles for loss.
 
"I'm looking for our players to play with great enthusiasm," said Coach Tinker. "We can't wait to see if we are up to the challenge that awaits us on Saturday."
 
Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. and will be available to watch online at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/ .