RAPID CITY, S.D --- The South Dakota Mines football team got back on track last Saturday when the Hardrockers hosted the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup.
 
The Hardrockers picked up a 52-14 win on a day that it was much needed. They were coming off of a three-game skid, with two of those games ending by a one score margin. If the 'Rockers were looking to bounce back, they used a trampoline in Saturday's win.
 
One of the top offenses in the RMAC, the Hardrockers put an early exclamation point on the first half scoring 31 points to the Cowboys' 14.  In Saturday's outing, SD Dakota Mines recorded 665 yards of total offense and are now ranked seventh nationally and first in the RMAC. The Hardrockers possess the first ranked total offense (494.8 ypg) in the RMAC and the second ranked rushing offense (221.8 ypg) in the league.
 
 
SD Mines has have been consistently good with the ball and having no doubt in the players leading the charge. Not only are they competing at a high level, they are doing it with a balanced attack. Being one of the top rushing offenses opens up the passing game giving QB Jake Sullivan the third-best passing attack in the conference (273 ypg).
 
In total, the Hardrockers made 95 offensive plays, almost tying the school record of 101. Eleven different receivers caught passes, with Brandon Labrie, ranked 12^th nationally in receptions per game, catching five for 53 yards. In the end, the Cowboys fell short 52-14, and are now 1-4 in RMAC play and 2-4 overall.

One thing that the 'Rocker defense has been looking for is a second half surge that they found Saturday against the New Mexico Highlands. The Hardrockers shutout the Cowboys completely in the second half while putting up 21 unanswered points. Leading the way for the defense was Antyjuan Rodriquez with nine tackles, followed by Harrison Beemiller and Blake Stone with seven total tackles each.
 
On Saturday, the Hardrockers will play host to the Colorado School of Mines. Both teams sit at 3-3 overall, while Colorado Mines holds the conference edge by one game (3-2) as the Hardrockers stand at 2-3 in the RMAC.
 
Colorado School of Mines travelled to Glendora, Calif., facing non-conference opponent Azusa Pacific. The Orediggers were unable to take the lead and fell short 35-21. Despite the loss, Cameron Mayberry, seventh nationally in rushing yards and third in total touchdowns, rushed 87 yards and scored all three of Colorado School of Mines' touchdowns. Dean Wenger notched a career-high 15 total tackles, two tackles for a loss and an interception, leading the Orediggers defensively.

The Orediggers have the second-best defense in the conference (giving up just 20.8 points per game) and are the league leaders in rushing yards per game (258.2 ypg). The Hardrockers will need to be careful with the ball and utilize one of the most potent offenses around.

Watch the game live on Stretch Internet starting at 1 p.m. (MST) .
 
Around the league, No. 12 CSU-Pueblo remains undefeated against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) opponents after Week Six of football action.

The ThunderWolves took on Adams State in Pueblo, Colorado for their homecoming game. CSU-Pueblo scored on offense, defense and special teams to secure a 63-17 win over the Grizzlies. Six touchdowns came from the offense, with Marché Dennard notching three. Darius Williams returned an interception 99 yards, the second longest return in program history, to the end zone. Williams ranks ninth nationally in interceptions per game. Kyle Rosenbrock blocked a punt and returned it for a score, and Brandon O'Donnell scored on a 63-yard punt return. The defense slowed down Adams State's fourth ranked passing offense in the NCAA to just 259 yards. Brandon Payer and Tevin Donnell each recorded eight total tackles, six of which were solo, leading the ThunderWolves defensively.

Marquese Surrel, ranked fourth nationally in all-purpose yards, led the Grizzlies with seven receptions for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns and seven kick returns for 138 yards, but it wasn't enough to catch up to the Pack.

CSU-Pueblo is now 5-0 in RMAC play and 5-1 overall.

Adams State falls to 3-3.

No. 20 Colorado Mesa bounced back from their first loss of the season, defeating Black Hills State 49-37. Quarterback Eystin Salum led the Mavericks offensively, notching 359 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. Salum rushed for 84 yards and three scores, and threw 275 yards for three touchdowns. David Tann led Colorado Mesa on the ground with 87 yards on nine carries, including a 49-yard touchdown run. Blake Nelson was a stalwart for the Mavericks' defense, racking up a career-high three and a half sacks, a blocked PAT attempt, two quarterback hurries and eight total tackles. Antonio Clark notched a career-high five passes defended and made seven total tackles.

For the Yellow Jackets, Ryan Hommel passed for a career-high 460 yards and 40 completions, the second best single-game performance in the RMAC this season. Hommel now has three 300+ yard passing games in 2017.

Colorado Mesa jumps to 5-1 for the season.

Black Hills falls to 3-3.

Chadron State travelled to St. George, Utah to take on Dixie State. Chadron State struck first on a 37-yard field goal on their first possession, but that was the only lead they had in the game. Dixie State held the Eagles to 288 yards total offense, their lowest of the season. For the Trailblazers, Malik Watson threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns, his second four touchdown game of the season. Jeffrey Coprich rushed for 124 yards on 23 carries, eclipsing the century mark for the first time in his career at Dixie State. Josiah Blandin, ranked 11^th nationally in yards per reception, made four catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. The Trailblazers defeated the Eagles 38-24, bringing both teams to 3-2 against RMAC opponents and 3-3 overall.

Fort Lewis travelled to Gunnison, Colorado, where they came back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Western 14-13. It was all Western in the first three quarters. Mountaineer kicker Max Smith scored the first six points of the game on two field goals, one of those a career-long 50 yards. In the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers turned it over after a missed field goal and Skyhawks' quarterback Bo Coleman capped off an 80-yard drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. On the ensuing drive, Darrian Stinckney intercepted Western and returned it six yards. The Skyhawks scored on this drive, taking the lead with 1:26 left in the game. Fort Lewis's defense forced a turnover on downs, sealing the win. They extend their record to 2-4.

The Mountaineers fall to 0-6.


RMAC Offensive Player of the Week
Eystin Salum, Colorado Mesa
Salum accounted for six touchdowns and 359 yards of total offense in the Mavericks' win over Black Hills State. The junior rushed for 87 yards and three scores and threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

RMAC Defensive Player of the Week
Blake Nelson, Colorado Mesa
Nelson recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks, blocked a kick, and had two quarterback hurries in the Mavericks' win over Black Hills State. The senior tied for the game-high with eight tackles.

RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Kyle Rosenbrock, CSU-Pueblo
Rosenbrock blocked a punt, recovered the ball, then returned it 35 yards to the end zone for the program's second blocked punt for a touchdown since its restart in 2008.