RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is back in action after a bye week last weekend as they are headed to nearby Chadron State, looking to get back into the win column.
GAME INFORMATION
Chadron State:
Date/Time: Nov. 2 / 12:00 p.m. MT
Site: Chadron, Neb.
Stadium: Don Beebe Stadium
Series Overall: Chadron State leads 52-24.
Streak: Chadron State Won 1
Last Meeting: Chadron State won in Chadron, 27-19 (11/11/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
STRONG ON IMPORTANT DOWNS
On third and fourth downs, the Hardrocker offense does a great job, converting on 39.9% and 53.8% of their opportunities, both in the top four in the RMAC.
DISCIPLINE MATTERS
As has been the case throughout the
Charlie Flohr era, the Hardrockers do not often hurt themselves. Currently, South Dakota Mines has the second-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 fourth in the RMAC and 32nd at the NCAA Division II level.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
South Dakota Mines' defense has done a great job forcing turnovers this year, forcing 16 thus far to sit first in the RMAC and 16th nationally.
The pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks is a big part of this. They average 3.13 sacks per game, second in the RMAC and 10th in NCAA Division II.
LEAGUE LEADER
Jake Martinelli has had a great season at quarterback in his first season starting. He completes 25 passes per game to lead the RMAC and come in fourth in the nation in Division II. Martinelli also ranks highly among the RMAC in passing touchdowns (19) and passing yardage (1,888), both of which are among the top 25 in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING CHADRON STATE
Chadron State has an identical record to South Dakota Mines: 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the RMAC.
Chadron State's defense is strong. They allow opponents to convert just 29.9% of their third downs, second best in the RMAC and 19th in NCAA Division II.
In addition, they are third in the RMAC in first downs allowed with 126, which is 32nd in NCAA Division II.
Continuing with the defense side, they allow just 141.1 passing yards per game, the second-best in the RMAC and ninth nationally at this level.
Last but certainly not least, the defense doesn't allow teams to score on them. They allow just 16.1 points per game, another top-20 number nationally and second in the RMAC.
Under center is DJ Ralph for the Eagles, and he completes his passes at a high rate. His completion percentage ranks second in the RMAC and 11th in Division II (67.1%).
LOOKING AHEAD
South Dakota Mines hosts Colorado Mesa on Nov. 9 for senior day. That game is scheduled 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.
