GUNNISON, Colo. -- South Dakota Mines was able to erase last week's defeat from their mind and move on to a challenging opponent in Western Colorado – who is receiving votes – and control the game, winning it 38-10.
How It Happened – The Hardrockers struck first early in the first quarter on a 7 play, 75-yard drive finished by a long touchdown pass to
Jeremiah Bridges where he caught it over the middle, broke a tackle and found the endzone. After a 75-yard connection for Western Colorado, the Hardrocker offense struck again on a six play 41-yard drive after
Max Wattier forced a fumble on a punt return which was recovered by
Casey Knutsen. Johannsen would scramble for a 28-yard score on the touchdown. Before the end of the quarter Western Colorado would add three more on a field goal from Alec Fonseca from 28 yards out.
For the remainder of the game, the Hardrocker defense would pitch a shutout, leaving it in the hands of the offense who took the ball and ran with it – literally. The Hardrockers finished the game with 246 yards of rushing – the best performance of the season.
To start the scoring in the second quarter, the Hardrockers embarked on a 13 play 71-yard drive ending in a 21-yard field goal from
Connor Taylor. The Hardrockers would strike again, before the end of the half on a 5-yard connection from Johannsen to
Mason Galbreath.
The Hardrockers would add two more touchdowns near the end of the third and fourth quarters on 16 and 8-yard runs by Johannsen.
Notes –
Jayden Johannsen had 407 total yards, leading the game in rushing with 146 yards and accounting for five total touchdowns…
Isaiah Eastman and
Jeremiah Bridges added 10 and four receptions with Bridges scoring…
Gavin Chaddock recorded two sacks and a forced fumble…
Adrian Eastman and
Kaleb Tischler recorded interceptions.
Up Next – With the win, the Hardrockers move to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in the RMAC and currently sit in a tie for second in the RMAC. On tap for the Hardrockers is a home matchup with Colorado School of Mines, currently the only team in front of South Dakota Mines in the standings. That is scheduled for a noon kickoff.
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 10 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.
