RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is back at home after over a month of road contests and a bye week.
It will be a welcome sight for the team to see and hear the cars in the ramps as 27 student-athletes and one student assistant are honored for senior day in a large class.
The game against Colorado Mesa kicks off at noon as the Hardrockers look to improve to .500 overall and in conference play.
GAME INFORMATION
Colorado Mesa:
Date/Time: Nov. 9 / 12:00 p.m. MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Stadium: O'Harra Stadium
Series Overall: Colorado Mesa leads 6-2.
Streak: Colorado Mesa Won 1
Last Meeting: Colorado Mesa won in Rapid City, 38-30 (9/16/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
STRONG ON IMPORTANT DOWNS
On third and fourth downs, the Hardrocker offense does a great job, converting on 41.1% 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 188 first downs this season, a number that ranks fifth in the RMAC and 34th at the NCAA Division II level.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
South Dakota Mines' defense has done a great job forcing turnovers this year, forcing 18 thus far to sit first in the RMAC and 17th nationally.
The pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks is a big part of this. They average 3 sacks per game, fourth in the RMAC and 13th in NCAA Division II.
LEAGUE LEADER
Jake Martinelli has had a great season at quarterback in his first season starting. He completes 23.22 passes per game to lead the RMAC and come in fifth in the nation in Division II. Martinelli also ranks highly among the RMAC in passing touchdowns (19) and passing yardage (1,980), both of which are among the top 25 in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa is traditionally strong in the RMAC and this year is no different.
Since starting 1-2 with their losses to top 25 opponents, the Mavericks are on a six-game winning streak coming into O'Harra Stadium with a 7-2 overall record and are 6-1 in the RMAC.
As a result of their season so far, they are receiving votes in the top 25 and are ranked ninth in the Super Region Four regional rankings.
Their defense is a major strength as they allow opponents to convert on just 27.6% of their third down opportunities, which is best in the RMAC and just outside of the top 10 nationally at the Division II level.
That defense also has allowed just 129 first downs this season, again leading the RMAC and is top 20 in Division II.
They also force turnovers as they have intercepted 12 passes to tie for the lead in the RMAC and allow an average of just 14.2 points per game, best in the RMAC and 13th in Division II.
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.
