RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines closed out the 2025 season with a 45-21 win over Adams State at O'Harra Stadium.
Adams State outscored South Dakota Mines 14-0 in the first quarter. Their first drive resulted in a touchdown as they took almost eight minutes off the clock. After an interception, the Grizzlies scored again to increase their lead to 14-0.
The Hardrockers punted to start the second quarter until
Jarin Allen recorded an interception to give South Dakota Mines the ball at the Adams State 41 yard line. In their first offensive play,
Gage Baker passed it back to
Mason Galbreath, who completed a 41 yard touchdown to
Joshua Morales.
Both teams traded punts until the Grizzlies took a 21-7 lead with 2:32 left in the half. Galbreath put the Hardrockers in the red zone with a catch on the sideline. Baker found Galbreath for a 19 yard touchdown to make the score 14-21.
Bryson Patten made a 37 yard field goal at the end of the half to make the score 17-21.
South Dakota Mines flipped the script in the second half as they outscored Adams State 28-0. To start the second half, Baker completed a 30 yard pass to
Jacoby Ogbonna for a touchdown. That gave the Hardrockers a 24-21 lead. Ogbonna caught another touchdown pass later in the quarter, this time a 38 yard completion to extend the lead to 31-21.
Adams State attempted to come back in the middle of the quarter. However,
Evan Hatton forced a fumble that
Will Lester recovered. Lester took it to the endzone for a touchdown. The Hardrockers held a 38-21 lead at the end of the third quarter.
To start the fourth, Baker found
Garrett Walchli in the endzone to make the score 45-21. The Hardrockers ran out the clock as they won 45-21 over Adams State.
Baker was 20-for-30 with 275 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 53 yards.
Dawson Dunbar ran for 71 yards, while
Ty Harris recorded 69 yards on the ground. In the air, Galbreath caught nine passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. Ogbonna collected three receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Morales and Walchli both had a touchdown.
On defense, the Hardrockers had one of their best games of the season.
Thomas Fields had a career game with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Lester recovered a fumble for a touchdown and led the team with 11 tackles in his last game with the Hardrockers. Hatton forced a fumble and Allen recorded an interception.
Elijah Davis collected a sack for South Dakota Mines.
Ogbonna recorded 91 yards on kickoff returns on just three attempts. Patten was 6-for-6 on extra points and recorded a 37 yard field goal.
The 2025 season has come to a close for the Hardrockers. They finished the year 3-8 overall and 3-6 in the RMAC.
What's Next
All-RMAC teams will be announced later this month, followed by all-region teams and CSC All-American teams.
