RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines Athletic Director Joel Lueken announced today that the Hardrocker football team will be moving forward with a shortened schedule for the 2020 season.
 
The South Dakota Mines football program 2020 season will begin with a home game against Black Hills State on Oct. 10 (5 p.m.) at O'Harra Stadium. The Hardrocker will then travel to Nebraska on Oct. 17 to face off against Chadron State College in a 5 p.m. matchup and then a trip to Grand Junction, Colorado, on Oct. 24 to take on Colorado Mesa at 12 p.m.
 
Chadron State will challenge South Dakota Mines in Rapid City on Oct. 31 for a 4 p.m. game and then will close out the season on Nov. 7 in Spearfish, South Dakota, for a 1 p.m. matchup against BHSU. The schedule is subject to change due to COVID-19 related issues.

 "All the safety protocols -- as well as the NCAA guidelines and testing procedures -- are in place and we are committed to playing football this fall," Lueken said. "We have the support of President (James) Rankin, the athletic administration, and our institution to move forward on this. I extremely excited to bring football to Rapid City this fall."
 
The RMAC announced in mid-August that there would be no conference championship award for the 2020 season, but gave institutions the green light to schedule contests against conference and non-conference opponents on their own.
 
The Hardrockers began team practice on Monday.
 
The Hardrockers are also planning an open practice on Sept. 19 as part of the Hardrocker 'M' Days festivities from 3-5:30 p.m. at O'Harra Stadium. The public is welcome to attend.