RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football program is into week two of practice, and today the focus is on the defensive line. 

Bo Montgomery, who has been with the program since 2018 coaches the defensive line.

The 2021 season, saw Kyante Christian and Gavin Chaddock earn First Team All-RMAC honors at the defensive line spots, however, Christian will be transitioning to more of a linebacker role in 2022.

Chaddock will be joined by returners Amire Jones, Otutoa Afu, Jarrett Meyer, transfers Adam Durland, Taylor Hojer, and Caleb Franklin, among others. 

Newcomers include Durland, Hojer, Franklin, and Christian Campos-Rodriguez.

The unit last year was led by Chaddock and Christian, recording 7.5 sacks each to each finish in the top-10 in the RMAC. As a whole, the group really elevated towards the end of the season creating havoc for opposing quarterbacks and stopping the running attack.

Facing Black Hills State, one of the better rushing attacks in the RMAC, the Hardrockers allowed just 52 rushing yards. In the last three games, the Hardrockers allowed just 42 points, and the defensive line was a significant reason for that.

Chaddock wants to see improvement from the group this season.

"The biggest part for us is getting added pressure, we want to average 5-6 sacks per game."

South Dakota Mines plays its first game against Missouri S&T on September 1st. That will be a 5:00 p.m. MT start. Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased above.
A video interview featuring Gavin Chaddock is below.



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.