RAPID CITY, S.D. – It was a day of first for the South Dakota School of Mines football team as they opened the 2016 season Saturday afternoon on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City, S.D. The Hardrockers kicked off the year against William Jewell College of Liberty, Mo.
It was the first game of the season, but more importantly the first win of the season for the Hardrockers and the first win for first-time head coach
Zach Tinker as his Hardrockers came away with an impressive 64-41 victory over the William Jewell Cardinals.
"I'm proud of our team and the 21 Seniors that demonstrated TRUST in the plan and put their name on this win over a very spirited and talented William Jewell team," Tinker said."Rocker Nation came out and showed strong support for the Rockers today and provided the spark that kept our flame alive today."
It was an offensive showcase to say the least as both squads combined for 105 points and 1,065 yards of total offense. The Hardrockers ended with 607 yards to 458 from William Jewell. SD Mines had 349 rushing yards and 258 passing yards.
Quarterback
Jake Sullivan had a tremendous day for the Hardrockers. Despite throwing an interception returned for a touchdown on the opening play of the game, the junior from Rapid City settled in nicely, finishing the game going 21-29 with 258 passing yards and five touchdown passes --- which tied a 21-year-old school record (John Horteness in 1995 vs. BHSU).
Sullivan also led the team in rushing yards Saturday, carrying the ball 13 times for 132 yards and one TD score. He also had one punt for the 'Rockers that he was able to pin the Cardinals back to inside the one-yard line.
Sullivan's five TD passes went to five different Hardrockers, as receivers Ben Broker,
Rashad Ridley,
Zach Huber,
Dorian Cowart,
Isaiah Manley and
Damon Barnes all found their way to the end zone.
SD Mines also rushed the ball 44 times for 349 yards and added four touchdowns on the ground to close out the day. After Sullivan, senior
Kevin Thompson rushed the ball for 81 yards on 12 carries and found the end zone twice (one on a fourth down play that he took 47 yards in for the score) and Ridley earned a rushing TD taking a backward lateral 56 yards for a rushing TD.
Senior
Marcus Sanchez also had an outstanding day leading the receivers with five catches for 68 yards.
Defensively,
Triston Brown paced the Hardrockers with 10 tackles while
Jamir Moore and
Jake Fitzgerald both collected seven.
Jake March,
Alvin Aneke and
Blake Stone all recorded sacks in the game as well for SD Mines.
The win gives SD Mines momentum as the Hardrockers will next hit the road and travel to St. George, Utah, for their RMAC debut against Dixie State University in a 6 p.m. (MST) game.
"We are anxious to begin the RMAC1nvasion against a deep and talented Dixie State team next weekend on the road," Tinker added.
Complete Statistics
