GUNNISON, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football team fell to Western State Colorado, 27-7, Saturday afternoon on the road in  Gunnison, Colorado.

The only score on the day for the Hardrockers came with 10 minutes and 42 second remaining in the first half when Kyante Christian blocked a Mountaineer field goal attempt and Steven Nolasco scooped it up and returned it 40 yards in for the score. Enis Sefa made good on the point after.

Western Colorado then went on to score two touchdowns before halftime to take a 14-7 edge ad then added a score in the third quarter followed by two field goals in the final frame to earn the win.

The 'Rockers' offense had trouble getting established Saturday, producing 177 total yards while the Mountaineers tallied 434. SD Mines had 65 passing yards and 112 rushing yards. WCU threw for 154 yards and racked up 280 on the ground. The 'Rockers had nine first downs in the game while Western collected 29.

Individually for SD Mines Spencer Zur took the majority of snaps, completing 6-16 for 65 yards and he rushed for 20 yards on two attempts.  Ahmad Lewis rushed for 47 yards on 14 attempts. Ira Murphey had 21 receiving yards on one catch and Anthony Ullrich hauled in two passes for 18 yards.

On defense, Nolasco and Justin Broekemeier both tallied 11 total tackles while Cole Peterson and Gavin Chaddock each collected 10 tackles. Christian, Dominick Jackson, Bryan Akunna and Francisco Dicochea all had tackles for a loss with Dicochea notching two sacks. Jackson had an interceptions along with Adrian Eastman and Kendahl Johnson.