RAPID CITY, S.D. --- It was 100 years in the making, but the South Dakota School of Mines football team was able to defeated the Colorado School of Mines 37-29 for the first-time ever last year in 19 meetings. The Hardrockers took out the Orediggers at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City, S.D., in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup.

Saturday marks the 20^th "Meeting of the Mines. It has been a remarkably high-scoring series, with the Orediggers averaging 54.2 points per game over their last 10 meetings ... The Hardrockers have played at Marv Kay Stadium twice, with the Orediggers winning 63-28 in the stadium's inaugural game in 2015 and 56-28 in 2016 ... SD Mines joined the RMAC starting in 2016 and the two are 1-1 in conference meetings.

This week's game features the top two total offenses in NCAA Division II with SD Mines (1st, 555.3 ypg) and Colorado School of Mines (2nd, 539.6 ypg). Both programs have relatively balanced attacks with the ability to throw and run, and both teams rank in the national Top 5 in first downs and third-down conversions. The Hardrockers also have the No. 6 scoring offense (44.3 ppg); the No. 1 third down conversion percentage (.592); and the No. 1 first downs offense (234) in the Nation. 

The Hardrockers are carried by a great group of seniors. Quarterback Jake Sullivan has thrown for 2,439 yards in eight games making good on 203-311 passes (leads RMAC) and has 19 TD passes. Running back Connor Silveria leads the conference in rushing yards and becomes the first Hardrocker in almost a decade to become a 1,000-yard rusher. He heads into the weekend with 1152 yards on the ground on 147 carried. He's scored rushing TD's so far. Wide receiver Isaiah Manley is also having a stellar season and is currently fourth in the league with 869 receiving yards on 59 catches. He's scored seven TD's heading into the weekend.

After last weekend's shootout the Hadrockers continue to have a record setting season. The Hardrockers broke six team or individual records and tied another in Saturday's game. SD Mines broke last week's record of total yards, racking up 775 against the Cowboys. The 'Rockers also set a team record for most passing yards in a game which was also turned into an individual record for Sullivan who also set a record for most attempted passes in a game at 60 as well as most completed passes with 45.

The Hardrockers also broke the record for most first downs in a game, which was just broken two weeks ago against Black Hills State. Saturday's new mark was 39. Manley also tied the record for single-game receptions hauling in 14 passes on Saturday and tied Marshal Davis from 2011.

Sullivan was 45-60 for 592 yards (all records) and threw three touchdown passes which brings his career total up to 62 --- which is also a record. Sullivan also added to his career passing yards record now at 8,079 yards.

Looking at the Orediggers, Brody Oliver's record-setting career added another memorable moment two weeks ago when he set the RMAC career record for receiving touchdowns with his 51st on Colorado School of Mines' opening score at Fort Lewis. Oliver didn't stop there - he caught four in the game, his third career 4+ TD performance, and another last week against Azusa Pacific to take his career total to 55. Next up is the Orediggers career yardage record; Oliver stands only nine yards shy of breaking Justin Gallas' Mines record of 3,561 compiled from 2002 to 2005. Oliver is NCAA football's active leader in receiving touchdowns, and it isn't even close: the next-highest total is 42, by RMAC rival Chad Hovasse of Adams State.

The Orediggers enter Week 8 with NCAA Division II's No. 2 total offense, ranking among the national leaders in virtually every offensive category. Colorado School of Mines' 539.6 yards per game is No. 2 in the country, and they've also produced the  No. 5 passing offense (325.5 ypg) and No. 30 rushing offense (214.1) while ranking third in scoring at 46.4 points per game.

This week's game might not feature huge sponsorships and million-dollar payouts, but it may very well be the richest game in NCAA Division II taking into account the players on the field. Both Colorado School of Mines and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology routinely rank among the top universities in the nation in terms of graduate salaries; according to Payscale.com's annual study, the average Oredigger will earn $74,100 right out of school and $139,300 at mid-career, with the average Hardrocker earning $65,800 in their first year and $113,700 at midcareer. With their rosters combined, the two teams' student-athletes stand to make $14.6 million a year right out of school and $26.6 million a year at mid-career.