RAPID CITY, S.D. --- Eight days before its season opener, the South Dakota Mines football team found a little offense in its second scrimmage of fall camp Wednesday night at O'Harra Stadium.

Unlike the first scrimmage a week ago in which the defense dominated the action, South Dakota Mines head coach Charlie Flohr changed things around a bit and matched up his veteran players against the freshmen and other younger players.

The result was five touchdowns – four through the air – compared to no touchdowns in the first scrimmage.

"A lot of that was just so we could work as coaches in regard to transitions from special teams, let our players work on rotations and things like that," Flohr said. "We also gave our older guys the opportunity to get another game under their belts before we go down to Missouri S&T."

The Hardrockers open the season Thursday, Sept. 1, in Rolla, Mo., against Missouri S&T.

The Hardrocker offense got going fairly early with a pair of touchdown passes from redshirt-sophomore quarterback Jayden Johannsen and two second-half TD passes from redshirt-senior QB Toby Smith. Redshirt-senior quarterback Spencer Zur also had a short touchdown run.

"Offensively, they had some explosive plays, which were good to see. Obviously from our last scrimmage we weren't able to do that," Flohr said. "I'm proud of those guys on how they were able to show up and get those explosive plays. Defensively, I thought we played well. We were able to stop the run for the most part. We gave up one explosive run late in the scrimmage."

The six quarterbacks on the roster combined unofficially to complete 14-of-32 passes for 253 yards, four TDs, and one interception. Johannsen was 3-of-3 for 91 yards and two scores, Zur was 5-of-10 for 61 yards and Smith was 2-of-3 for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

The 'Rocker running backs carried the football unofficially 20 times for 126 yards, led by junior newcomer Bryan Lumsden, who had seven rushes for 46 yards.



"We ran the ball a little better," Flohr said. "Our backs are doing a great job of being patient, seeing things develop and being able to run with great vision, making plays. We're excited where we are at and it is time to get ready to go."

Redshirt freshman Mason Galbreath caught three passes for 39 yards, sophomore Evan Slack two catches for 41 yards and two scores and redshirt junior Max Hoatson had two catches for 24 yards and one TD. Freshman tight end Jack McFarland caught two passes for 18 yards and senior Jeremiah Bridges had two receptions for 60 yards and one score.

Flohr felt his young receivers stepped up Wednesday night and made some plays.

"They had some good back-shoulder catches and were able to go up and attack the football. Those are the things we are going to need to take some pressure off the running game and stretch the field vertically," he said. "We have two guys (Bridges and sophomore Isaiah Eastman) who have a lot of experience, but other than that, we have guys who are just learning college football in playing this year. It is exciting to see their growth."

Nine game officials from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference worked the nearly 60-play scrimmage and talked to the players and coaches afterward about what they saw and what they all needed to work on.

Flohr said that was good for not only the players, but the Hardrocker coaches as well.

"I'm very appreciative of Randy Campbell, our head of officials here in the RMAC. He does a phenomenal job of getting people ready to go," he said. "It's great for us, even as coaches -- they talked to us on the sidelines. We wanted them to treat this second scrimmage just like a game. That way we can learn some of the things from the scrimmage."

With just a handful of practices before the season opener, Flohr said his team is competing and working hard, and gelling as a team. Now, he said, is the time to put their heads down and go to work and get ready for the opener.

Physically, Flohr said the Hardrockers are ready. Going into the opener, he said it will be about eliminating penalties on both sides of the ball and taking care of the ball, all those little tangible things that we need to do and focus on before Missouri S&T.



"I am pleased with our guys. They have worked really hard in the off-season, and I think they are champing at the bit like everybody else is to just see where we are at as a football team," he said. "We have to come out with the ultimate preparation for week one with an opponent that we know is going to be tough. The atmosphere is going to be every good. We're excited to get ready, move on and see where we are at as a football team."

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.