The first ever contest between SD Mines and Colorado Mesa may indicate a future rivalry. Mesa was playing to secure a conference championship while SD Mines was playing to secure a winning season, and the game did not disappoint.
 
It took all four quarters for CMU to edge out the Hardrockers, the Mavericks winning by a score of 48-38. Mesa held a small lead after a low scoring first quarter, 7-3. The second quarter featured four rushing and two passing touchdowns between the teams. The score at half was 28 to 24 in favor of CMU.
 
After a shootout in the second quarter, the third was a change of pace. Both teams failed to score in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter in a tight, one-score game.
 
Just ten seconds into the fourth quarter CMU quarterback Eystin Salum found his receiver Marcus Hines for a 51-yard touchdown pass.
 
Then the Hardrockers responded with a quick strike of their own, as just 16 seconds later quarterback Evan Sanders found Isaiah Manley for a 70 yard touchdown.
 
With a little over 10 minutes left in the game the Hardrockers drew level thanks to an 11-yard run form Connor Silveria. Unfortunately, SD Mines were not to score again. CMU broke the deadlock with 3:30 left after returning a blocked field goal for a 70-yard touchdown.
 
The Hardrocker offense was back to their usual "High Octane" form for this game. The Hardrockers put up 583 total yards on offense while scoring five touchdowns.
 
Quarterback Jake Sullivan was still out due to injury and Sanders again stepped up to fill in the vacant spot. Sanders completed 21 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Hardrocker offensive had some standout performers on the day, one being running back Connor Silveria who ran for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Isaiah Manley racked up 141 yards along with two touchdowns.
 
Linebacker David Jakpor lead the Rocker Dawg defense with nine total tackles and forced a fumble.
 
The Hardrockers now return home for their final game of the season. They will host Western State on Saturday, November 12^th at 1pm.