RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is coming off back-to-back three straight victories for the first time since 2016 and is looking to make it four in a row as they are set for a 5:00 kickoff Saturday against Black Hills State in the 139th Black Hills Brawl as South Dakota Mines attempts to take back the Homestake Trophy.
GAME INFORMATION
Black Hills State:
Date/Time: Oct. 5 / 5:00 p.m. MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Stadium: O'Harra Stadium
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 66-60-11
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 5
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Rapid City, 48-10 (10/21/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
WINNING STREAK
The Hardrockers are on a roll, winning three in a row for the first time since 2016 and are looking for their fourth straight for the first time since moving up to Division II. The last time was in 2010 when the Hardrockers were still an NAIA team.
HISTORY OF THE BRAWL
South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State are meeting for the 139th time which is tied for the fourth most played rivalry in any division, behind only Harvard-Yale, Princeton-Yale and Lafayette-Lehigh but is tied for the longest in Division II with Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State.
The Hardrockers lead the all-time series 66-60-11. An additional matchup in 1895 is often counted against Black Hills College and the Hardrockers were defeated in that matchup to make the unofficial count 66-61-11.
APPROACHING MILESTONES
Connor Taylor is just four points from tying South Dakota Mines' school record in points, currently sitting at 218 while the record is 222.
THE GREAT GILBERT
Holden Gilbert has been making a difference in the passing and running games throughout the season but recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game this past weekend, running for 101 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
GROVER IN A GROOVE
Colton Grover had a great game last weekend, catching eight passes for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
SCOUTING BLACK HILLS STATE
The Yellow Jackets from Black Hills State have started the season 2-2, defeating Southwest Baptist and Fort Lewis, while falling to St. Thomas and Colorado School of Mines.
As a team they are disciplined, sitting in second in penalties and penalty yardage in the RMAC. Thus far, their defense has been their strong point as they are also third in the RMAC in third down conversion percentage allowed and first downs allowed.
On offense, they are fourth in the conference in passing with 235.8 yards per game but have a strong offensive line as they have allowed just .5 sacks per game, fourth in NCAA Division II and first in the RMAC.
Quarterback, Luke Duby is fourth in most passing categories including efficiency, yards and touchdowns.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the Black Hills Brawl, South Dakota Mines begins a long three-game road trip as they first take on Colorado School of Mines in Golden on Oct. 12 for a noon kickoff.
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.
