ALAMOSA, Colo. --- The Hardrocker Football team went down to Alamosa, taking on Adams State.

As it usually is in this matchup, it was a high-scoring affair with 87 total points being scored between the two teams.

The Hardrockers started out hot in the first quarter, getting out to an early 14-0 lead on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Johannsen to Jeremiah Bridges, and a 5-yard run by Ahmad Lewis. Adams State would answer with two touchdowns, tying the game at 14, before a 12 play 51-yard drive ended in a Connor Taylor field goal to give the Hardrockers the 17-14 lead going into the second quarter.

For the third consecutive drive, Adams State scored a touchdown to start the second quarter, taking a 21-17 lead. Later in the second quarter, South Dakota Mines would retake the lead, scoring on an 18-yard connection from Johannsen to Collin Zur to cap-off a 4 play, 50-yard drive, however, the point after would go awry, with a mishandled snap, leading to an unsuccessful point after. Adams State would score two more touchdowns late in the half, taking a 35-23 lead into the locker room.

The second half would start with a turnover for each team. It wasn't until midway through the 3^rd when a 7 play, 49-yard drive for the Hardrockers would trim the deficit to 35-30, after the 15-yard rushing touchdown by Johannsen. The South Dakota Mines defense would get a stop, getting the ball back to the offense, and they took advantage. Kaleb Roth was a focal point of the drive gaining 31 yards on 6-touches before Brandon Barrios, and then Johannsen finished it off with a 16-yard run. The Hardrockers attempted a 2-point conversion and that was successful, giving South Dakota Mines a 38-35 lead.

On the ensuing drive, early in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies had what appeared to be a touchdown, but they fumbled into the endzone, and the Hardrockers recovered to get the ball back to their offense. The Hardrocker defense continue to play well in the second half, getting a pair of stops before the offense scored on another Johannsen run, this one was 15-yards to give the Hardrockers a 45-35 lead. Adams State was running short on time, down 10 with just over 6 minutes to go, though, they would put 7 points on the board with 3:32 remaining. South Dakota Mines would go to the ground game, gaining 2 first downs before a Casey Knutsen punt pinned the Grizzlies at the own 2-yard line with just 6 seconds remaining. The Hardrocker defense would hold serve, winning the first RMAC contest of the season 45-42, to go to 3-2 overall, and 1-2 in conference play.

"Our kids came out and played together and stuck together" commented head coach Charlie Flohr. "It was great to see them come out in the second half and fight their way to their 1st conference win", added Flohr.

Game Notes
Jayden Johannsen had 387 total yards, with 267 of them coming through the air, and 120 on the ground….Johannsen had 5 total touchdowns, 2 passing, and 3 rushing….Ahmad Lewis broke the century mark, gaining 101 yards on the ground….He was nearly joined by teammate Kaleb Roth who ran for 95 yards….Isaiah Eastman had 59 yards through the air on 5 receptions….Cole Peterson led the way defensively, with 7 tackles….Adrian Eastman had a fumble forced, a fumble recovery, pass breakup, as well as a tackle-for-loss along with 3 total tackles….As a team, the Hardrockers gained 596 yards of total offense.
 
Looking Ahead
The South Dakota Mines football team heads back home to Rapid City, taking on Fort Lewis College at O'Harra Stadium for a noon game on 10/9.
 
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.