RAPID CITY, SD – South Dakota Mines Football is on the road this weekend to face New Mexico Highlands on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Series History

The Hardrockers have dominated the Cowboys with a 7-1 record dating back to 2016. In their game last season, South Dakota Mines topped New Mexico Highlands 40-19 at O'Harra Stadium.

About the Cowboys

New Mexico Highlands is 2-0 this season with victories over Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico. In their latest game against the Mustangs, the Cowboys won a shootout 69-55. True freshman Jeffery Jones won D2Football National Player of the Week honors after he rushed for 385 yards with four touchdowns.

Even with a bye week, Jones leads the entire NCAA in rushing yards with 608. He also has seven touchdowns, tied for the most in the NCAA. His 385 rushing yards against the Mustangs is the new NCAA Division II freshman single game rushing record. The Cowboys were picked to finish in seventh place in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

About the Hardrockers

Through three games, South Dakota Mines is 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the RMAC. They are coming off a 14-58 loss at Upper Iowa last Saturday. In that game, quarterback Gage Baker was 30-for-48 with 261 yards and two touchdowns. Joshua Morales led the receivers with 61 yards through the air, while Jacoby Ogbonna caught a touchdown for the Hardrockers. Defensively, Charlie Johnson led the team with nine total tackles.

Ogbonna leads the Hardrockers with 20 catches for 209 yards so far this season. The freshman is averaging 69.67 yards per game. Will Lester has 25 total tackles, including 17 solo tackles to lead the team. Aiden Werlinger's 1.5 sacks lead the defense. The Hardrockers were picked to finish in fifth place in the RMAC this season after they went 6-5 last year.

Game Information

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (0-3, 0-1 RMAC) at New Mexico Highlands Cowboys (2-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Date & Time: September 20, 2025 • 1 p.m.
Location: Sanchez Family Stadium
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

What's Next

South Dakota Mines will come back home next week to face Fort Lewis on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. That is Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend. The Black Hills Brawl is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Spearfish, South Dakota.