RAPID CITY, S.D. – 164 The Hardrocker offense continued to hum along on M-Day as the Hardrockers used a 520-yard offensive attack to take a big lead into halftime, and hold onto it in the second half, winning 41-27.
How It Happened – The Hardrockers struck first early in the first quarter on a 7 play, 75-yard drive capped off by an 18-yard connection between
Jayden Johannsen and
Jeremiah Bridges which has become a very familiar theme this season. New Mexico Highlands would answer on a 60-yard pass play from Cameron High to Ezekiel Payne. The Hardrockers would close the scoring in the first quarter with another score from the arm of Johannsen, but this time to
Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III.
The Hardrockers would continue to pile on the points scoring another two touchdowns, both on the ground, first Johannsen scampered in from 12-yards out to complete a 99-yard drive, then
Ty Harris would find a hole and explode through it for a 26-yard score. The defense continued to hold their own through the half including picking up their first turnover of the season, allowing the Hardrockers to go into the locker room with a 27-7 lead.
In the third, the Hardrockers did not step off the gas pedal as Johannsen scored again on the ground with a 2-yard run midway through the quarter. This time New Mexico Highlands would answer with a quick 4 play, 48-yard drive but South Dakota Mines would close the quarter on a 12-yard connection from Johannsen to
Bryan Lumsden. After three, the Hardrockers led 41-14.
In the fourth, with the game in hand New Mexico Highlands would score two touchdowns, cutting their deficit but the Hardrockers would win 41-27.
Notes –
Jayden Johannsen had 452 total yards with 333 coming through the air and he also was the game leader with 119 rushing yards…He accounted for five touchdowns (3 through the air, and two on the ground)…
Jeremiah Bridges continued his streaks with 108 receiving yards and a touchdown on six receptions…The six receptions were tied for a game lead with
Isaiah Eastman who turned his into 61 yards…
Jake Leone had four receptions for 37 yards…
Bryan Lumsden and
Ty Harris combined for 13 rushes and 65 yards along with two total touchdowns…Defensively, the Hardrockers were finally able to force their first two turnovers of the season and stopped New Mexico Highlands on downs twice…
Jacob Schwab had the interception and
Omar Ali forced and recovered a fumble…The Hardrocker recorded two sacks with
Caleb Franklin having one and Kyante Christan and
Adam Durland being credited with .5…Christian led the defense with 2 tackles for loss.
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.
