RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines football program is back at O'Harra stadium this weekend taking on a second consecutive ranked opponent, #24 Western Colorado University at noon on Saturday.
 
Series History

      vs. Western Colorado 

• The Hardrockers and Mountaineers have met just four times.
• The series started in November of 2016, with the most recent matchup taking place on 9/14/2019.
• The two teams have split the matchup with the Mountaineers winning the first and the most recent matchup while the Hardrockers won in 2017 and 2018.

Gold Nuggets

• The Hardrocker offense has been a strength, they average 32 points per game, the 4^th best in the RMAC.
• Third down conversion has been a major part of the offensive success, with the team converting at a rate of 52.4%, significantly higher than any other RMAC team.
• Redzone success is another area that the offense excels in, converting 27 of their 33 trips for points, the fourth-best percentage in the conference.
• 24 of the Hardrocker redzone trips have resulted in 6 points, which is the second most redzone touchdowns in the conference.
• The offensive line has allowed just 15 sacks thus far on the season, tied for the second-best in the RMAC.
• Defensively, the Hardrockers have recorded 18 sacks.
• Over the last three games, Jayden Johannsen has accounted for 1,015 yards and 11 touchdowns.
• Johannsen is 3^rd in the RMAC in completion percentage at 61.3%, 4^th in passing yardage, and third in efficiency.
• Johannsen is 7^th in the RMAC in rushing and first among quarterbacks and has 7 rushing touchdowns, the third-most in the conference.
• Kaleb Roth averages 75.4 rushing yards per game, the 5^th best in the conference.
• The Hardrockers boast three wide receivers in the top 8 in the RMAC in receptions. Jeremiah Bridges, Isaiah Eastman, and Collin Zur have 31, 30, and 25 receptions each, tying them for 4^th, 6^th, and 8th in the conference.  
• Bridges, Eastman, and Zur are 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th in receiving yards in the RMAC.
• Kyante Christian and Gavin Chaddock are in the top 10 with 5.5 and 4.5 sacks on the season.
• Christian is also in the top 10 with 8 tackles for loss.
• Kendahl Johnson has two interceptions this season.
• Adrian Eastman and Casey Knutsen have two fumble recoveries each.  

Scouting Report
     
    Western Colorado

• Western Colorado has started the season 6-1 and has won two straight to push them to a #24 ranking nationally
• The Mountaineers are 5-1 against RMAC competition.
• Offensively, they average 34.4 points per game, the third-highest scoring average in the conference.
• The Mountaineer rushing attack is leading the RMAC in yards, led by Josh Cummings and his 121.7 yards per game, which is 11^th best in the nation.
• Cummings' 13 touchdowns are top 5 at the Division 2 level and most in the RMAC.
• Elijah Gillespie is a weapon on punt returns, averaging 12.4 yards per return.
• The Mountaineer defense is 3^rd in the RMAC in points given up per game.
• Farris Lane and Will Lydle have 12.5 and 10 tackles for loss to put them among the top 3 in the conference and are top 5 in sacks with 8 and 5.

Looking Ahead
Following the game this weekend, the Hardrockers head to Spearfish for the 136^th Black Hills Brawl against Black Hills State University. That matchup is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. on October 30^th.
 
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.