CHADRON, NEB. --- The Hardrocker Football team was unable to snap its' losing streak against Chadron State College and bring back the Eagle Rock Trophy on Saturday.

The defense tried set the tone early in the first quarter for the Hardrockers. On the opening drive, the Hardrockers recorded two sacks, with Kyante Christian, and Cooper Fargen providing the pressure. South Dakota Mines offense would get the ball and was unable to start the game with a score, gaining 19 yards, leading to a Casey Knutsen punt that would drop at the 20-yard line. The Eagles would move the ball on their second offensive drive, striking first, scoring a 2-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 13-play 80-yard touchdown drive. The successful point after would give Chadron State an early 7-0 lead with 2:53 remaining in the first quarter. Jayden Johannsen would get the offense going on their second drive of the game, starting it off with a 28-yard gain, however, the drive would stall out after that, with the Hardrockers forced to punt.

To start the second quarter, the Eagles held the ball, and they would continue to drive the ball offensively, eventually attempting a field goal after gaining 52 yards on 11 plays. Chadron State would convert the field goal, increasing their lead to 10-0 with 9:47 to go in the 2nd quarter. The ensuing drive is where things would start to click for the Hardrocker offense. Isaiah Eastman would be featured heavily getting four touches as the Hardrocker would methodically move the ball and aided by two defensive penalties would cut into the deficit on a 6-yard Johannsen touchdown.  Connor Taylor would convert the pat. The drive spanned 12 plays and 65 yards, cutting the Chadron State lead to 10-7. Chadron State would answer quickly, connecting on a 64-yard touchdown pass to expand the lead back to 10, 17-7. The Hardrocker offense would put together another good drive, that was booed by an 18-yard completion from Johannsen to Ahmad Lewis on 3rd down. It would be Lewis who would find the endzone on a 9-yard rush. A failed pat would cut the Eagle lead to 17-13 with 18 seconds to play in the first half and that is how it would stay to end the half.

The Hardrockers started the second half with the ball and were not able to get anything going, punting the ball away. This one was a beauty by Knutsen, downing the ball at the Eagles' 5-yard line. South Dakota Mines would get a stop, forcing the Chadron State offense into a 3-and-out, getting the ball back with great field position after the punt return was taken to the Eagles' 47-yard line. On the first play, the Hardrockers went deep, and it was intercepted. Back at their own 5-yard line, Chadron State would put together a 19 play, 95-yard scoring drive following the turnover to expand the lead to 24-13, and the score would remain the same to end the 3rd quarter.

Chadron State would strike again on their first drive of the 4th quarter, taking a 31-13 lead after a 4 play 72-yard drive that had a 32-yard pass completion, as well as a 33-yard rushing touchdown. South Dakota Mines would answer that drive with a scoring drive of their own, this one going 15 plays and 75-yards to bring the score to 31-20. That is the closest the Hardrockers would get, however, falling by that score.

"I am proud of how our kids fought the entire game, they continued to believe in one another throughout the game", said head coach Charlie Flohr. "It was not the result we wanted but our kids kept battling, and we will learn from our mistakes and be ready for the next game" added coach Flohr.
 
Looking Ahead
Next week is homecoming for South Dakota Mines, and they take on Colorado State University Pueblo at 4:00 on Saturday, September 25th.
 
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.