ALAMOSA, Colo. – On Saturday, the South Dakota Mines football team played its last regular-season game, taking on Adams State on the road.
The Hardrockers started quickly and didn't let up. They hammered Adams State, 44-6, to finish the season at 6-5 and complete their third winning season in the past four years, a feat that has not been accomplished in over 40 years since 1985.
How It Happened – The Hardrockers started early and didn't slow down, getting their first score after
Leighton Blythe was credited with a blocked punt. The offense had to go just 12 yards, and
Tobin Frost was credited with a receiving touchdown from
Jake Martinelli.
Adams State answered with a field goal, but the Hardrockers marched right back down, and
Dawson Dunbar pushed it in on the ground from a yard out, giving the Hardrockers a 14-3 lead.
South Dakota Mines would add a field goal, going into the half with a 17-3 lead.
The Hardrockers' scoring increased in the second half. They scored on their first drive on a 31-yard carry credited to
Gunner Rohloff before the Grizzlies put another three on the board.
SDM continued to keep on the gas, however, answering with a
Jake Martinelli completion to
Alex Sturn for a touchdown to push the lead to 37-6 going into the fourth quarter.
Holden Gilbert rushed for a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Hardrockers a 44-6 lead. That was how the game ended, as South Dakota Mines clinched its third winning season in four years for the first time since 1985.
Notes – As a team, the Hardrockers rushed for 306 yards and 6.7 per carry…
Holden Gilbert rushed for 179 and a score, while
Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III added 47 yards on the ground…
Jake Martinelli threw three touchdown passes…
Colton Grover led the team with 71 receiving yards on five catches…
Leighton Blythe was credited with a punt block, while
Caleb Franklin got the lone sack.
Fans can find the latest on South Dakota Mines football all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockerfb), while also following on Facebook at Hardrocker Football. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
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.
