RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is coming off an upset win on senior day. They defeated a Colorado Mesa team that was receiving votes.
Following that victory, the Hardrockers moved to 5-5 overall and 4-4 in RMAC play and are looking to finish the season off with a victory, which would give them their first four-year stretch with three or more winning seasons since 1982-85.
GAME INFORMATION
Adams State:
Date/Time: Nov. 16 / 1:00 p.m. MT
Site: Alamosa, Colo.
Stadium: Rex Field
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 5-2.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 3
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Alamosa, 63-9 (10/28/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
STRONG ON IMPORTANT DOWNS
The Hardrocker offense does a great job on third and fourth downs, converting 39.8% and 57.1% of their opportunities in the top three 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 201 first downs this season, a number that ranks fifth in the RMAC and 38th at the NCAA Division II level.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
South Dakota Mines' defense has done a great job forcing turnovers this year, forcing 21 to lead the RMAC and come in 14th nationally.
The pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks is a big part of this. They average 2.8 sacks per game, third in the RMAC and 16th in NCAA Division II.
GROUND GAME
Offensively, the Hardrockers are on a roll in the run game. They've posted two of their three best rushing games of the season in consecutive weeks, rushing for 221 yards against Chadron State two weeks ago and 213 yards on 41 carries last week, averaging 5.19 yards per carry.
Holden Gilbert has been a massive part of that, posting 89 yards against Chadron State and 120 against Colorado Mesa.
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State has not had a good year. It is 0-10 overall and 0-8 in the RMAC.
Aaron Johnson leads the RMAC in kick-returning with 597 yards, which is 21st nationally in Division II. He is dangerous, as he has also returned a kick for a touchdown.
Ahmare Merrida is seventh in the RMAC, averaging 3.7 receptions per game.
Christian Toeleiu is second in the RMAC, averaging 5.8 tackles per game, and third in total tackles.
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 and four associate members located in California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
