RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is back in action on Saturday with another ranked road matchup as they take on undefeated Western Colorado.
GAME INFORMATION
Western Colorado:
Date/Time: Oct. 19 / 1:00 p.m. MT
Site: Gunnison, Colo.
Stadium: Mountaineer Bowl
Series Overall: Western Colorado leads 4-3.
Streak: Western Colorado Won 1
Last Meeting: Western Colorado won in Rapid City, 43-20 (10/7/23)
Watch Live: RMAC Network
STRONG ON IMPORTANT DOWNS
On third and fourth downs, the Hardrocker offense does a great job, converting on 42.6% and 63.6% of their opportunities, third and best in the RMAC.
Defensively, the Hardrockers allow opponents to convert on 40% of their fourth down attempts, third best in the league.
DISCIPLINE MATTERS
As has been the cast throughout the
Charlie Flohr era, the Hardrockers do not often hurt themselves. Currently, South Dakota Mines has the lowest total penalties and penalties per game in the RMAC.
FIRST DOWN FRENZY
Offensively, the Hardrockers move the chains at an elite level with 152 first downs this season, a number that ranks second in the RMAC and 10th at the NCAA Division II level.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
South Dakota Mines' defense has done a great job forcing turnovers this year, forcing 13 thus far to sit second in the RMAC and 18th nationally.
A big part of this has been the pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks. They average 3.14 sacks per game, which is second in the RMAC and 10th in NCAA Division II.
LEAGUE LEADER
Jake Martinelli has a great season at quarterback in his first season starting as he completes 25 passes per game to lead the RMAC and come in fifth in the nation in Division II. Martinelli also leads the RMAC in passing touchdowns (17) and passing yardage (1,700). Both numbers are top 10 in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
Jas Bains has done a masterful job turning around the Western Colorado football program, starting the season undefeated this year after winning a share of the RMAC title last season.
Their 6-0 overall mark and 4-0 RMAC record have them near the top of the conference once again.
The Mountaineers have created a defensive identity over the past couple of years and dominate on that end, allowing just 82 first downs to their opponents thus far this season (13th NCAA, 1st RMAC).
Their rushing defense, redzone defense and scoring defense all lead the conference.
Signal caller Drew Nash is also talented behind center as he is in the top five of the RMAC in passing efficiency and passing yardage.
Daniel Parsek and Josiah Ayon are strong at receiver, each sitting in the top 10 of the RMAC in receptions and receiving yards.
Royce Pao, Braeden Hogan and Nash all have 4+ rushing touchdowns on the season.
Ricky Freymond is one to watch on the defensive line as he is the leader of their strong defensive line.
LOOKING AHEAD
South Dakota Mines will have a week off following this matchup, before another road game at Chadron State on Nov. 2.
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.
