RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football team is coming off a big rivalry win after defeating BHSU, 46-17, winning the Black Hills Brawl during the 131
st meeting between the two teams. SD Mines also knocked the Yellow Jackets from the unbeaten ranks in a dominating second-half fashion.
This week is proving to be just as big for the 'Rockers as SD Mines plays host to their homecoming game in a first ever meeting with the Adams State Grizzlies from Alamosa, Colo. The Hardrockers will look to improve on their 3-1 record in what is proving to be a pivotal Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contest.
Adams State rolls into Rapid City with their first win of the year and a 1-3 overall mark. The Grizzlies picked up their first win this past week as they rallied from two scores down to upset Chadron State by a score of 31-30.
"We are moving forward really quickly," said Hardrocker football head coach
Zach Tinker. "Adams State is ready to play and anxious to win another game like they did this past week against Chadron State."
The Grizzlies overcame a 16-point deficit to secure their first victory over Chadron State College since 2005. Adams State trailed for the duration of the game until
Addie Brown went the distance for a 91-yard punt return midway through the fourth.
Zach Cimaglia's successful PAT that followed gave Adams State the 31-30 lead that they would not relinquish. After a slow start to the offense, Adams State opted for freshman quarterback
Stetson Stallworth who successfully kept the offense in motion.
In his first extended action, Stallworth completed 9-of-17 passes for 84 yards along with two touchdowns and an interception.
Corey Brown racked up a game-high 120 yards rushing off 26 carries.
John Reed added a game-high 11 tackles (six solo) with
Morris Gilbert and
John Land tacking on 10 tackles a piece.
Vasa Hansell and
Jamal Jennings both provided two pass breakups as six Grizzlies picked up a tackle-for-loss in the conference tilt.
The Grizzlies also received some accolades, as Brown received RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance sparked ASU to defeat the Eagles.
The Hardrockers enter their week five matchup with the second-ranked total offense in the RMAC, averaging over 500 yards per game. The squad also set a new school record this past weekend, racking up 681 yards of total offense. The old record of 674 was set back in 2014.
The Hardrockers are powered by junior quarterback
Jake Sullivan who ranks second in the RMAC in total offense. Sullivan serves as a duel threat by way of his 278 total rushing yards which has produced six touchdowns.
Defensive end
David Jakpor will look to disrupt the Grizzly offense as the senior linebacker ranks second at the conference level with 43 tackles.
"Adams State has a talented team and their speed is something to be reckoned with," Tinker said. "We have to come juiced up and ready to play."
Saturday's game, sponsored by KLJ, is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The game will be streamed live on the RMAC Network at Stretchinternet by logging onto:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/
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