RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football team will wrap up its season on Saturday in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup against Western State Colorado University at Gunnison, Colo., in a 1 p.m. meeting. It is the season finally for both the visiting Hardrockers and host Mountaineers.
The Hardrockers are coming off a disappointing loss to Colorado Mesa last Saturday in Rapid City, S.D., at O'Harra Stadium. The then No. 15 Mavericks defeated South Dakota Mines, 69-7, thanks to strong performances on both sides of the ball. The defense forced four interceptions, blocked two kicks, and added a sack. Two of the turnovers were returned for touchdowns.
The 'Rockers were missing some key players on their explosive offense, including quarterback
Jake Sullivan and standout wide receiver and special teams kick returner Brandon LaBrie. SD Mines fell to 3-6 in RMAC matchups and 4-6 overall.
The Mountaineers also had a loss hung on them last weekend as Western faced non-conference opponent Humboldt State. The Mountaineers fell 48-3, moving them to 1-8 in RMAC games and 1-9 overall.
Western State ranks toward the bottom in a majority of the statistical RMAC categories, including last in total offense (averaging 23.7 yards per game). The Hardrockers are fourth in the conference in total offense, racking up 452.2 yards per game. Western is also ranked last in scoring (averaging 11.2 points per game), while the Hardrockers are posting 30.7 points per game and fifth in the league.
The Mountaineers are also at the bottom in rushing (89.9 yards per game), 10th in passing (147.9 ypg), last in offensive efficiency and ninth in defensive efficiency.
Western State lone win came against New Mexico Highlands back on Oct. 21, defeating the Cowboys, 26-16.
Mountaineer sophomore quarterback Easton Bruere got the start last week for the Mountaineers. He's played in six games this season where he's completed 32 of 57 passes for 311 yards. He's been sharing snaps with Dylan Jacob who has 1,046 yards completing 111-207 with 10 interceptions on the season.
The Mountaineers' top rusher is Ty Leyba who has just 231 total yards this season while Rodray Perkins is the top receiver catching 44 passes this season for 391 yards.
The Hardrockers have three rushers all over 500 yards. Senior
Kevin Thompson leads the way with 677, while Sullivan and 518 and senior
Dorian Cowart had 517. Sullivan has 10 rushing TD's, while Thompson has six and Cowart has two.
LaBrie leads all receivers with 789 yards despite missing two games this season, while freshman Jermaine Williams has 342 yards and Cowart has collected 324. LaBrie also has six TD receptions while Williams has two and freshman
Carson Hunt has three.
SD Mines is hoping to close out the season with a convincing win over Western State. Watch the game live at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/.
