RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team is coming off its first victory of the season against Upper Iowa as they emerged victorious, 17-10, in a defensive battle.
 
This weekend, the Hardrockers are looking for the same result as they host New Mexico Highlands on M-Day on Saturday for a 1:00 kickoff.  
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
New Mexico Highlands:
Date/Time: Sept. 21 / 1:00 PM MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Stadium: O'Harra Stadium
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 6-1.  
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 4
Series at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines leads 3-0.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines Won 3
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Las Vegas, 42-7 (9/23/23).
Buy Tickets: Ticket Central
Watch Live: RMAC Network
Listen Live: KOTA Radio 1380 AM/100.7 FM
 
DEFENSE FIRST
The Hardrocker defense looked the best it has all season in Week 3, taking on Upper Iowa as they allowed just 10 points, got after the quarterback, recording four sacks and forcing six punts.  
 
Despite not forcing a turnover, the defense made passing difficult for the Peacocks as they completed under 50% of their pass attempts.
 
SACK HAPPY
The Hardrockers did a good job getting to the quarterback, recording a total of four sacks, while Cole Griffin, Isaac Engle and Matthew Percival-Quolas were each credited with one.
 
AROUND THE BALL
Hunter Newsom is no stranger to making tackles, but until this week his numbers were slightly lower than where he was at last year. Not any longer, as he was everywhere for the Hardrocker defense, recording a total of 11 tackles with 2.5 coming for loss.
 
NEXT MAN UP
With some injuries to the running backs room, Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III stepped up for South Dakota Mines this week, carrying the ball 16 times for 78 yards and scoring a touchdown.
 
MARTINELLI MOVES
In addition to being near the top of the RMAC in passing yards (2nd) and passing touchdowns, Jake Martinelli does a ton of damage on the ground. In each of the last two contests, Martinelli rushed for over 60+ yards on the ground, with 78 coming in the victory over Upper Iowa. He is currently seventh among all players in rushing yards in the conference.
 
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
New Mexico Highlands has not had a great start to the year, taking on two in-state opponents in Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico, falling in both contests in shootouts, 63-37 and 36-33.
 
The Hardrockers have dominated the matchup with New Mexico Highlands, especially in recent years, outscoring the Cowboys 123-51 in the last three matchups, earning victories in all three and overall have won four straight and six of the seven contests.
 
Despite their 0-2 start, the Cowboys offense is playing well as they rank near the top of the RMAC in first downs (3rd), passing offense (2nd, 18th NCAA Division II), rushing offense (2nd, 20th NCAA Division II), but they have also struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball and are turning the ball over at a high rate relative to the rest of the RMAC.
 
Mason Peterson and Mike Jones are the first two weapons that the Hardrockers will need to minimize. Peterson, a running back is currently third in the RMAC in all-purpose yards, fourth in rushing yards per carry, sixth in rushing yards and seventh in scoring.
 
Jones, a wide receiver is equally dangerous sitting in the top 10 in receptions and receiving yards along with kick return yardage.
 
Speaking of kick returns, Maurice Newton is currently leading the RMAC in kick return yardage and second in average per kick return.
 
Joey Cave, the quarterback for Highlands is second in the RMAC and top 25 nationally at the Division II level in completion percentage, and has been strikingly efficient, holding the #11 spot nationally and is atop the RMAC in that category. He also ranks highly in passing touchdowns, passing yardage as well as points responsible for.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Hardrockers have started the season with a heavy home slate and following Saturday, that slows as they will have just two remaining home games, as they go on the road on September 28 against Fort Lewis, before coming home to partake in the Black Hills Brawl.
 
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.