RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football team played another very competitive game Saturday against the No. 18 ranked Colorado State – Pueblo Thunderwolves on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium, but couldn't find the result they were looking for as the Hardrockers dropped a tight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game, 21-13.

The Hardrockers were very solid in the first half as the home team drew first blood. After a scoreless first quarter, SD Mines took advantage of a turnover early in the second period and turned it into a 19-yard field goal from Enis Sefa for a 3-0 advantage at the 10:09 mark.

Later in the quarter, CSU-Pueblo would come out on top of the turnover game, intercepting a SD Mines pass and returning it 69 yards for a score. The Thunderwolves took a 7-3 edge with 6:53 left in the half.

The Hardrockers answered back with a Sefa 33-yard field goal at the 3:04 mark to trail by just one point, 7-6. SD Mines had one final second-quarter field goal try at the end of the half from 48 yards out, but the visitors blocked it.

The 'Rockers took the lead early in the third quarter when the defense came up with an interception and yet another return in for a score. This time it was Steven Nolasco who picked off a CSUP pass and brought it back to the end zone from 20 yards out. After a Sefa PAT, the 'Rockers took a 13-7 lead at the 12:05 mark.

CSU-Pueblo then found some success on the ground as they would score off a 10-play 75-yard drive to answer the 'Rockers. They regained the lead at the 8:01 mark, 14-13, and then added another score to start the fourth quarter to keep the home team at bay.

The Hardrocker defense has now scored six touchdowns this season. Steven Nolasco has two on the year along with teammate Dominick Jackson and one by Will Carroll and one from Marwin Alapati.