RAPID CITY, S.D. --- After thoroughly handling Black Hills State in last weekend's 34-17 victory during the 135^th Black Hills Brawl, the Hardrockers look ahead to this weekend for another rivalry game as Chadron State is next on the schedule, Saturday evening in Nebraska.

South Dakota Mines will face the CSC in the Rivalry Renewed Matchup: The Battle For The Eagle-Rock Trophy. The 'Rockers and Eagles, who just started competing against each other in 2016 for the first time since 1996.

Chadron State College football team will make its home debut Saturday, hosting the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers in the second of six games on the Eagles' schedule this fall.  Kickoff at Elliott Field will be 5 p.m.

The Chadron State-Mines rivalry dates back to 1912, the second year CSC was open.  While the Eagles lead the series 50-18, three of the victories the last four years since the Hardrockers joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the rivalry was resumed have been highly entertaining donnybrooks. 

Those scores were 37-33 in 2016, 50-46 in 2018 and 53-48 last fall, when the 101 points were the second highest in a Chadron State regular season game, the lead changed hands eight times and the 1,052 combined total net yards were 12th in Eagles' history. CSC also won the 2017 game by a 29-17 margin.

"Anytime you're playing a rivalry game, it's one of those things where you just throw the records away and go out and compete for 60 minutes," said Hardrocker football head coach Charlie Flohr.

A year ago, the Hardrockers ran 103 plays from scrimmage, 40 more than CSC, but the Eagles racked up 573 total net yards as quarterback Dalton Holst threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns and tailback Elijah Miles rushed 28 times for 193 yards and two scores.  Mines finished with 499 yards.

Both teams opened their abbreviated 2020 schedules Saturday. The Eagles' defense played well but their offense struggled during a 10-7 overtime setback at Colorado Mesa. The Hardrockers defeated their other arch-rival, Black Hills State, 34-17 in Rapid City.

Confronted by a strong defensive front, Chadron State had difficulty moving the ball against Mesa. The Eagles gained just 266 total net yards and didn't score until 25 seconds remained in regulation play. Lack of experience undoubtedly contributed to the struggle.  Holst and Chad Mikelson, the game's receiver with seven receptions for 82 yards, were the only CSC skill position players who had previously seen significant action.    

"They had a tough loss in OT. It was kind of first-game-jitters for everyone," said Flohr. "It was fun to watch the last part of the game. Moving forward this is their first home game and I know Coach Long will have them ready to go.

South Dakota Mines out-yarded the Black Hills 442 to 218 yards behind senior running back Ahmed Lewis, who carried 26 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns, and freshman quarterback Jayden Johannsen, who completed 16 of 24 passes for 181 yards.

"It's a special feeling to get that first win," said Flohr. "It's one thing as a first-year head football coach to go in a get that win --it's really special --- but it wasn't about me, it was about us. I was proud of them and how they handled themselves."

Lewis, who is 6-foot, 200 pounds, earned first-team RMAC honors while rushing for 1,385 yards --- which is a South Dakota Mines season record.  Although he did not score in the game, he carried 44 times for 179 yards against the Eagles last fall.

"Ahmad had a phenomenal day and carried us in the running game, but he did a lot of other things that people don't look at throughout the course of the football game," Flohr said. "He went out and caught a few balls and had some key blocks. He's a special kid and we know when the ball is in his hands we are going to get some positive yardage."

Listed at 6-2, 205, Johannsen was the quarterback at Sioux Falls Washington High School when the Warriors went 33-2 and won three-consecutive state championships.  He initially enrolled at North Dakota State, but redshirted there in 2019 and transferred to Mines.

"Johannsen is a special kind of player and he really won over our locker room," Flohr added.

The 'Rocker defense also played well last Saturday, with an aggressive style and confusing sets that allowed South Daktoa Mines to tally four sacks (two by Michael Retland), notch and INT, post eight pass-breakups and had four QB hurries. Will Carroll and Cole Peterson paced the team with nine and seven tackles respectivley.

CSC Athletic Director Joel Smith said seating Saturday night will be limited to 75 percent of capacity in Don Beebe Stadium, which has a capacity of 3,500.  Fans are encouraged to wear masks, wash or sanitize their hands and practice social distancing.   

Tickets may be purchased in advance through Chadroneagles.universitytickets.com. Reserved tickets will be $16, adults general admission $13 and $11 for youths and seniors. They also will go on sale two hours prior to kickoff at the Elliott Field ticket booth.

Fans will be ushered out of the stadium after the game and will not be allowed to go onto the field.