GOLDEN, Colo. – The South Dakota Mines football team was looking to bounce back against its second top-25 opponent in as many weeks. This wasn't an ordinary top-25 opponent, however, as Colorado School of Mines came into the week #2 in the nation and is coming off a season where they played in the national championship.
The Hardrocker defense was up to the task early, and the offense even received a school record with wide receiver
Ben Noland catching 16 passes, but the offense couldn't get into the endzone early and by the time they did, it was too late, with the Hardrockers falling to the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, 45-22.
How It Happened – The defense for the Hardrockers played pretty well in the first half, intercepting a pass on the first offensive play for the Orediggers when
Elrey Brooks III picked it off but were unable to take advantage. The offense couldn't get it going and a crucial mistake made late in the first half cost the Hardrockers when a bouncing punt hit
Will Lester and Colorado School of Mines was able to jump on it, scoring on the next play to take a 21-0 lead into the half.
The Orediggers would start with the ball in the 3rd quarter, getting three points on a field goal and forcing a 3-and-out on the other side, before putting another 7 up on the first play with a connection from John Matocha to Max McLeod. The Hardrockers would answer with an 8-play, 81-yard drive, but down 31-7 was too big of a hill. Matocha would find McLeod for a third time on the next drive to go into the 4th with the Orediggers leading 38-7.
Two more big drives would ensue for the Hardrockers, going 10 plays for 75 yards, and 11 plays for 80 yards, both ending in passing touchdowns from Johannsen to
Henry Dryden. Noland was a staple on these two drives, catching A converted two-point conversion on the second score pulled the deficit to within 2 scores, 38-22 but the Hardrockers were unable to recover an onside kick and the Orediggers would add one more for good measure, sending the Hardrockers to defeat, 45-22.
Notes –
Jayden Johannsen had a good game under center, completing 28-39 passes for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns…
Ben Noland, already among the nation's leaders in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, caught 16 passes, a new school record to go along with 137 receiving yards…
Henry Dryden continued his breakout season, catching 5 passes for 57 yards and three touchdowns…
Kaleb Tischler recorded 10 tackles to lead the team…
Hunter Newsom had 9 tackles along with 2.5 for loss and a sack along with a breakup…
Caleb Franklin added a sack while
Elrey Brooks III picked off a pass.
Up Next – The Hardrockers are back home next weekend, looking to get back on the winning track as they take on Fort Lewis.
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 13 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.
