RAPID CITY, S.D. – On Saturday, the South Dakota Mines football team took on a Colorado Mesa team that received votes in the latest top 25 poll and is a contestant for the NCAA Playoffs as it is ranked in the Super Region 4 rankings.
Those chances took a hit for the Mavericks after South Dakota Mines rode its dominant defense to an essential victory. This pushes the Hardrockers to .500 overall and .500 in the RMAC on the season, as they moved to 5-5 (4-4).
Meanwhile, Colorado Mesa lost for the first time in seven games, moving to 7-3 (6-2).
How It Happened – It was a defensive battle throughout much of the first half, as both defenses were up to the task.
There were no turnovers in the first half, just lots of punts, as the defenses forced ten punts. There was also a fourth-down stop when Colorado Mesa fumbled a punt attempt. The punter tried to pick up the first down but was thwarted by a heavy hit by
Eli Bowman.
South Dakota Mines had an opportunity to score after that, but a 50-yard field goal sailed just wide.
Late in the first half, the Hardrockers got on the board on a 32-yard run by
Holden Gilbert to go into the half leading 7-0.
A 13-play, 97-yard Colorado Mesa drive would tie the game at seven late in the third quarter.
South Dakota Mines would answer shortly after with a 49-yard field goal by
Connor Taylor.
Following that, the Hardrocker defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense capitalized on it with a 9-play, 71-yard touchdown drive that ended in
Holden Gilbert's second touchdown of the day and expanded the lead to 17-7.
With just under five minutes to play and Colorado Mesa driving, William Lester picked off a pass. Still, the offense could not take advantage, going three and out themselves, only to see Colorado Mesa drive down and score with under two minutes remaining to cut the South Dakota Mines lead to 17-14.
Colorado Mesa recovered not one but two onside kicks after the first one was called back due to a penalty. The ball moved down the field until the Hardrockers' defense made another big play. This time,
Lane Thomas picked off a deep pass that virtually sealed the game.
Holden Gilbert gained a crucial first down on the ensuing drive to keep the ball and not give the Mavericks' offense another chance, winning the game 17-14.
Notes – As it did last week, South Dakota Mines rode its rushing attack to 219 yards on 5.3 yards per carry…South Dakota Mines' defense allowed 288 total yards but under 50% on passing attempts for just 158 passing yards and 3.3 yards per rush while also forcing three turnovers…
Holden Gilbert rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries…
Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III rushed for 42 yards, adding 28 through the air on two receptions…
Hunter Newsom and
Wren Jacobs each recorded 11 tackles…
Isaac Engle recorded a sack…
Lane Thomas and William Lester picked off one pass each…
Adedokun Alarape was crucial late in the game, putting pressure on the quarterback multiple times including a sack that was waved off.
Up Next – South Dakota Mines finishes its season off on the road. Next weekend they head to Alamosa to take on Adams State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
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.
