RAPID C ITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines football team will have a tough road test this week, as they continue to fight for a winning season. Saturday Colorado Mesa will play host to the Hardrockers.
 
CMU is first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with a 7-2 record. The Hardrockers (5-4) are 4-4 in the RMAC and sit in seventh place. The Hardrockers will need to step-up their game in order to bounce back from a tough overtime loss to Fort Lewis College this past weekend.
 
"That's two weekends in a row at home where we were in a football game we couldn't finish," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker. "It is very disappointing for our team."
 
Junior quarterback Jake Sullivan was knocked out of the contest early, completing just one pass. Senior Evan Sanders stepped up into his place, completing 10 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground junior running back Dorian Cowart did his part, carrying the ball 25 times for 149 yards and a touchdown.
 
"[Against Fort Lewis] in the second half we had one of the most exciting plays of my time here, with the kickoff return by Rashad Ridley," said Coach Tinker. "So proud of that young man, what he's been through and overcome to get to this moment."
 
There were a couple of milestones after Saturday's game as senior wide receiver Marcus Sanchez set a career record with 17 touchdown receptions. The old record of 16 was held by Hardrocker Hall of Famer Gary Eschenbaum (1969-1972). With two games remaining Sanchez could add to his record.
 
Also sophomore kicker Robbie Jo Gerarden broke a season record for extra points in a season. Gerarden has 45 on the season, breaking the old record of 42 set by Devon Jones during the 2013 campaign.
 
Looking forward, a major concern for the Hardrockers may be CMU's rushing attack. Mesa is averaging 250 yards rushing per game, and the Hardrockers just allowed Fort Lewis to run for 415 yards this past week. Colorado Mesa just set RMAC offensive records this past week in their game against New Mexico Highlands. CMU scored 12 total touchdowns, ten rushing touchdowns, and tallied 933 yards of total offense.
 
"[Colorado Mesa] has got a lot of weapons," said Coach Tinker. "They're exciting to watch. I love watching them on video, they really have some great players. They've been hot offensively."
 
CMU Senior David Tann is Top 5 in the RMAC in rushing yard per game, and leads the conference in rushing touchdowns.
 
This will mark the first meeting between Colorado Mesa and SD Mines football teams, and both have a lot on the line. CMU is currently ranked ninth on the NCAA Super Region IV  Poll, the top seven will qualify for the NCAA Playoffs. With a win the Hardrockers can secure a winning season. If Mesa gets a win they will be the 2016 RMAC Champions.