(Story by Rapid City Journal)
ST. GEORGE, Utah --- The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology football team improved to 2-0 early in the season with a 31-27 win over Dixie State at the First Annual CNY Bowl in St. George, Utah, on Saturday night.

The Hardrockers trailed for the entire first half, but pulled away with 28 of their points coming in the final two quarters.

The win wouldn't come easy for the Hardrockers, as Dixie State jumped out to a 8-0 lead on a Clifford Simms 15-yard touchdown run eight minutes into the first quarter.

"I could not be more proud of the 'Rockers for winning a difficult game on the road in very difficult circumstances. Our players never lost trust in themselves or their teammates and we turned it into a game that was decided by our perseverance," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker. "The senior class continues to lead this team by example and hold this team accountable on a daily basis. I was so impressed that every time one of our units struggled, another unit would step up and have their back. It's great to start out Tweet #RMAC1NVASION with a gutsy win on the road."

Mines would cut the lead to 8-3 as Robbie Jo Gerarden hit a 42-yard field goal to close out the opening half.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, Mines took its first lead of the game as it marched down the field on three quick plays. The 93-yard drive lasted a little over a minute and was capped off by an 84-yard touchdown run of Kevin Thompson.

Dixie State regained the momentum less than a minute later when Tyson Blackner connected on a 51-yard touchdown pass to Aubrey Reed to give the Trailblazers a 14-10 advantage.

The Hardrockers continued to make it a back-and-forth affair a little over five minutes later as Jake Sullivan connected with Rashad Ridley for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Mines the 17-14 lead.

The Trailblazers would gain momentum once again with four minutes remaining in the third as Orlando Wallace carried the ball 14 yards for a touchdown,
The Hardrockers took over from there as Sullivan would cap a six-play, 74-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown scamper to take a 24-21 lead with a little under two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The start of the fourth quarter couldn't have gone any better for the Hardrockers, as Jake Fitzgerald picked off a Josh Thompson pass and returned it 63 yards to the Dixie State nine-yard line.

Dorian Cowart took over from there and gave Mines a 31-21 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run with 14:43 remaining in the game.

Dixie State cut the lead to four when Wallace scores on a 11-yard TD run with 4:21 remaining. 

The Trailblazer offense had one more chance with 38 seconds remaining, but Rafael Arellano sealed the win for the Hardrockers when he picked off a Thompson pass with four seconds remaining.

Sullivan completed 16 of his 25 pass attempts for 185 yards and a touchdown, while Thompson finished with 138 yards on 16 carries and a score. Marcus Sanchez led the team with four catches for 76 yards.

The Hardrockers will look to continue their hot start when they travel to Colorado State University-Pueblo next Saturday.