RAPID CITY, SD – South Dakota Mines Football kicks off the 2025 season on Thursday at #6 Colorado State Pueblo at 6 p.m.
Series History
These two teams met in last season's opening game at O'Harra Stadium. The ThunderWolves went on to win 35-6 over the Hardrockers in that contest. In their all-time history, CSU Pueblo is 8-0 dating back to 2016.
About the ThunderWolves
The ThunderWolves are coming off a 10-2 season in 2024 where they claimed their first outright RMAC title since 2013. They have won 16 straight RMAC contests dating back to the 2023 season. That is the second longest active conference win streak in all of NCAA Division II football.
They return star wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff, who was a First Team All-American in 2024. He caught 67 passes for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. They also return quarterback Roman Fuller, who led the team with 1,842 yards thrown. On the defensive side, All-RMAC Second Team honoree Gary Seidenberger is back after leading the team with 87 total tackles.
Head Coach Phillip Vigil is back for his third season with the ThunderWolves. His team were the co-favorites with Western Colorado in the RMAC Preseason Poll. In the AFCA NCAA DII preseason rankings, they were ranked sixth, the highest ranked team in the RMAC.
About the Hardrockers
South Dakota Mines return to the field after a 6-5 season in 2024. It was their third time in the last four seasons that the Hardrockers have posted a winning record. With a 3-5 record and three games to go in 2024, South Dakota Mines rattled off three straight wins to finish sixth in the RMAC. Their current three-game winning streak is the best in the conference.
Wide receiver
Mason Galbreath will return for his senior season after he caught 36 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns. Running backs
Ty Harris and
Dawson Dunbar highlight the run game for South Dakota Mines. Preseason All-RMAC honoree
AJ Kelly is back on the offensive line for his senior season. After earning All-RMAC Honorable Mention honors in 2024,
Will Lester returns on the defensive side. Other returners include
Nathan Kneubuhler,
Thomas Fields and
Gabe Frerichs.
Hardrocker Head Coach
Charlie Flohr enters his sixth season with South Dakota Mines in 2025. South Dakota Mines was tied for fifth with Black Hills State in the 2025 RMAC Preseason Poll.
Game Information
South Dakota Mines (0-0, 0-0 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (0-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Date & Time: August 28, 2025 • 6 p.m.
Location: CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl
Live Coverage: Livestream |
Live Stats
What's Next
Following their matchup with the ThunderWolves, the Hardrockers will open their home slate against Michigan Tech on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
