RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines football team was back in the friendly confines of O'Harra Stadium this weekend. It wasn't just any weekend, however, as it was homecoming for South Dakota Mines and the week was filled with festivities.
The football team certainly did its part delivering a show that included over 350 yards of offense, five sacks a turnover, a 20-0 second half, and a 40-19 victory.
South Dakota Mines moved to 2-2 (1-1), while New Mexico Highlands fell to 0-3 (0-1).
How It Happened – It didn't take long for South Dakota Mines offense to get going in this one, delivering a four-play, 52-yard touchdown drive to open the game with
Jake Martinelli finding
Henry Dryden on a shovel pass.
It would not take New Mexico Highlands long to answer, however, scoring and taking a 7-6 lead after converting their extra point.
Early in the second quarter, things started to turn, with the Hardrocker defense picking up a third down sack by
Nathan Kneubuhler and
Caleb Franklin getting credit. On the ensuing punt,
Colton Grover would return it 43 yards, setting the Hardrockers up with great field position at the Cowboys' 13-yard line. Three plays later, they would take advantage with Martinelli connecting with
Max Hoatson for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
Highlands would answer again, this time going 75 yards thanks to a 56-yard touchdown pass from Waika Crawford to Teneil Nichols.
The Hardrockers would block the ensuing PAT, keeping the game locked at 13, momentarily.
Starting at their own 40, the South Dakota Mines offense would go back to work, going 60 yards in 11 plays with Martinelli finding
Mason Galbreath for the 16-yard touchdown this time around and would take a 20-13 lead, only to see New Mexico Highlands march down the field in just under a minute. The ensuing PAT was unsuccessful, this time blocked by
Taylor Hojer to keep the 'Rockers in front, 20-19 at the half.
Emerging from the locker room after halftime was a determined team, as the Hardrockers came right out of the gates with a 44-yard rush from Orlando-Westbrook Sanchez III on the first play of the second half. Four plays later, Martinelli found Dryden for the second time and Martinelli's fourth touchdown pass.
Now it was the Hardrocker defense's turn to get going and get going they did, pitching a second half shutout but it started on this drive. New Mexico Highlands would go for it on their own 34-yard line and be snuffed by
Charlie Johnson and
Adam Durland, who made the stop on fourth down.
Once again, the Hardrockers would take advantage, this time it would be a 42-yard field goal from
Connor Taylor.
A three-and-out defensive stop followed for the Hardrockers getting the ball right back to their offense who marched down and added seven points after a Westbrook-Sanchez III rush for eight yards, giving SDM a 37-19 lead.
Late in the third quarter, the Hardrockers would make another defensive stop, this time
Taylor Hojer got loose through the line and buried the quarterback for a sack.
Once again, the offense was put in a good position taking over at their own 45 and took advantage. It ended with a second field goal from
Connor Taylor, converting from 20 yards out and that would close the scoring for the game as South Dakota Mines won its second straight game, defeating New Mexico Highlands to move to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in RMAC play.
Notes –
Jake Martinelli continued his strong season, throwing four touchdowns and completing 17-28 passes…Orlando Wesbrook-Sanchez III continued to perform well, going over 100 yards rushing, totaling 140 on 17 carries and scoring a touchdown…
Holden Gilbert also continues to impress on the ground, gaining 70 yards on 16 carries, but adding 28 yards on three receptions…
Henry Dryden led the team with four receptions, converting two into touchdowns…
Mason Galbreath and
Max Hoatson also caught touchdown passes…
Hunter Newsom led the team with seven total tackles and a fumble recovery…Six different players earned credit for sacks with
Taylor Hojer,
Thomas Fields,
Caleb Franklin, and
Cole Griffin all earning one, while
Isaac Engle and
Nathan Kneubuhler were credited with .5 sacks.
Up Next – The Hardrockers are headed on the road after playing back-to-back games at O'Harra Stadium and now take on Fort Lewis.
Looking Ahead – Following the road trip to Fort Lewis, South Dakota Mines welcomes rival, Black Hills State to O'Harra Stadium for the 139th 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.
