RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The Hardrockers are coming off two straight wins and are taking on a Colorado Mesa squad that is currently receiving votes in the top 25. The Hardrockers are looking to win their 7^th game for the first time since 2010.
 
Series History

      vs. Colorado Mesa 

• These two schools have met just 5 times in the past.
• Colorado Mesa leads the series 4-1.
• The most recent matchup went the Hardrockers' way as they were victorious 24-9 in Grand Junction (10/24/20).

Gold Nuggets

• The Hardrocker offense has been great on third downs, converting 64 for 147 for the third-best percentage (43.5) in the RMAC.
• South Dakota Mines' offense gets to the red zone a lot and when it does, it usually converts. They lead the league with 47 appearances, scoring at a rate of 74.5% and scoring touchdowns on 29 of the appearances.
• Averaging 390.6 offensive yards per game puts the Hardrockers in third in the RMAC.
• The Hardrockers are in the top 4 in rushing yards and passing yards.
• Defensively, the Hardrockers have stepped up in recent weeks against high level competition. Black Hills State is one of the top rushing offenses in the league and the Hardrockers held them to 52 rushing yards. New Mexico Highlands was the opponent last week and they are one of the top offenses not just in the conference, but in the country as well and the Hardrockers allowed just 17 points.

Terrifying Tischler

• Caleb Tischler is looked in right now for the Hardrockers defensively. After sealing the Black Hills State game with his 2^nd pick, he one-upped himself, intercepting not 1, not 2, but three passes against New Mexico Highlands to give himself 5 in the last two weeks, tied for the second-most in the conference.

Everything Eastman

• Isaiah Eastman has been a jack of all trades all season long, factoring in on special teams, in the passing game and the rushing game, but last week took to the skies to throw a 33-yard touchdown pass and added a 15-yard rushing touchdown.

Who's #1?

• South Dakota Mines has a trio of wide receivers near the top of the league leaderboards in Jeremiah Bridges, Collin Zur, and Isaiah Eastman.
• Bridges and Eastman have 42 and 41 receptions, putting them in the top 5, meanwhile, Zur has 33 to round out the top-10. All three also are in the top-10 in receiving yardage.

Sack Happy

• Gavin Chaddock and Kyante Christian have done a number on opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks all season long recording 7 and 5.5. sacks each to put them in 6^th and 7^th in the RMAC.

Scouting Report
     
    Colorado Mesa 

• Colorado Mesa has a 7-2 record and is receiving votes in the AFCA top-25 poll as a result.
• They are 6-2 in the RMAC largely due to their impressive play on both sides of the ball, leading the league in yards allowed per game and yards gained per game.
• Offensively, they score 36 points a game (2^nd in the RMAC) and defensively allow just 13.3 points per game (1^st in the RMAC).
• Darick Holmes and Hunter Karst lead them offensively, with Holmes in the top 10 in rushing yards, and Karst second in passing efficiency.
• Elijah Lilly rounds out their offensive trifecta, as he is in the top-10 in receiving yards and receptions.
• Colorado Mesa has 3 players in the top-6 in pass breakups and 5 in the top-15.

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.