GOLDEN, Colo. --- South Dakota Mines football played well for a majority of the game Saturday, just made a pair of mistakes, and had a poor stretch in the second quarter. That is a lot to overcome when taking on the #5 team in the nation.

The Hardrockers were able to get out to a quick start against Colorado School of Mines, scoring on the opening drive, going 11 plays for 70 yards, with Connor Taylor converting on a field goal. The Hardrocker defense would force a fumble on the first Oredigger drive, with Kyante Christian forcing it and Gavin Chaddock recovering it, however, the offense would not be able to take advantage, punting the ball away. The Oredigger offense led by John Matocha would convert a trio of 3^rd & longs on the drive on the way to a rushing touchdown from 1-yard out. A converted PAT would give the Orediggers a 7-3 lead with 3:44 to play in the first quarter. The Hardrockers would start to move the ball down the field. To conclude the 1^st quarter, Jayden Johannsen would scramble for a critical 3^rd down conversion and take it 37-yards.

Early in the 2^nd, the Hardrockers would convert a 1-yard pass and catch from Johannsen to Josh Leone for his 1^st career touchdown, giving the Hardrockers a 10-7 lead after the extra point. The Orediggers would take no time responding, answering with a 7-play 75-yard touchdown drive, retaking the lead 14-10. A 4-yard punt by Johannsen would set Colorado School of Mines up with great field position. Colorado School of Mines would take advantage, scoring a touchdown on 5 plays to expand their lead to 21-10. The Hardrocker offense would begin to establish the run on the following drive before another mistake on a fumble that was recovered by the Orediggers. Once again, Colorado School of Mines would take advantage, connecting on a 39-yard completion on the first play taking a 28-10 lead. The Hardrocker offense would not get much going on the next drive, punting it away and a good return would give the dangerous Oredigger offense the ball with good field position again with just over a minute to go in the half. Colorado School of Mines would go to work again. Going for a touchdown, before a sack by Christian would force them to run the clock down and attempt a field goal. After two timeouts by head coach Charlie Flohr, attempting to freeze the kicker, the field goal was successful to give the Orediggers' a 31-10 lead going into the locker rooms.

A couple of mistakes really hurt South Dakota Mines in the first half, with head coach Charlie Flohr, commenting on those, "It all comes down to execution, we have to find ways to make plays when we need them in all three phases of the game."

To start the second half, the defense wanted to change the script early, getting a big 3^rd down sack to force a 3-and-out to get the ball back to the offense. Two fourth-down penalties forced the offense to punt it away. The returner fumbled but was able to retain it around the Oredigger 10-yard line. The defense would get another quick stop, giving the offense the ball in good field position once again. However, the offense was unable to get going and allowed two sacks on second and third down. The Orediggers would get the ball back and score on the first play on a slant over the middle and outran the defense. The Orediggers would miss the extra point but lead 37-10. This time, the Hardrocker offense would answer with a 9 play 67-yard touchdown drive to cut the deficit to 37-17. Moments later a Jacob Schwab interception gave the Hardrocker offense the ball back to end the 3^rd quarter.

The Hardrockers would take advantage, getting a rushing touchdown from Kaleb Roth. A successful PAT would cut the deficit to 37-24. All of a sudden, the Hardrockers were back in the game with over 12 minutes remaining. That is until another big play by the Oredigger offense. This time it was a 60-yard rushing touchdown by Michael Zeman. The Hardrockers were having a good drive to answer, and it came down to a 4^th down play. A zipped pass from Johannsen to Roth was not completed when it looked like it was a potential touchdown that would pretty much put a nail in the coffin for the Hardrockers. The Hardrockers would get the ball back a couple more times, one ended in a deep interception and the second was with 22 seconds remaining and the Hardrockers took a sack to end the game, falling 44-24, and to 4-3 overall, and 2-3 in the RMAC.

Coach Flohr added, "I am proud of our kids and how they played, with the exception of about 6 minutes in the second quarter we competed with a top 5 team in the country."

Leaders
Jayden Johannsen had another big game leading the team in rushing with 62 yards, in addition to his 218 passing yards…Jeremiah Bridges lead the receiving corps with 6 catches and 68 yards as well as a touchdown…Kyante Christian had 10 total tackles to lead the defense as well as forced a fumble… Will Carroll had 8 tackles and a sack…Gavin Chaddock recovered a fumble in addition to having .5 sacks, and 2 tackles…Jacob Schwab recorded an interception…Colorado School of Mines outgained South Dakota Mines 455-351…South Dakota Mines had control of the ball for most of the game, which is the first time this season Colorado Mines did not win that battle.
 
Up Next
The Hardrockers head home next weekend to take on another tough opponent in Western Colorado University who is currently ranked #24 in the country.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.