RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Football begins the 2026 season at Drake Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Series History

This is the Hardrockers first NCAA Division I matchup since the 2012 season where the Hardrockers took on North Dakota. The Rockers fell 66-0 in that game on Aug. 27, 2012.

About the Bulldogs

Drake has won the Pioneer League and clinched a spot in the FCS Playoffs for three straight seasons. Last year, they went 8-4 with a 7-1 PFL record. After defeating Morehead State to win the PFL, they fell to #11 South Dakota in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. Drake was picked to finish second in the PFL Preseason Poll.

Garrison Codde was the lone Bulldog named to the Preseason All-PFL Team. He was third on the team in 2025 with 84 tackles along with seven passes defended. First-year head coach Matt Walker is coming off an NCAA Division III National Championship at Wisconsin-River Falls last season. He makes the jump to FCS after 15 years as the head coach for the Falcons.

About the Hardrockers

South Dakota Mines is coming off a 3-8 record with a 3-6 RMAC record last season. After losing their first two conference games, they won their next two but lost four of their last five contests of the season. After finishing tied for seventh last season, South Dakota Mines was picked seventh in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

After picking up Honorable Mention All-RMAC honors last season, Dawson Dunbar was named to the 2026 Preseason All-RMAC team. Quarterback Gage Baker ranked 13^th in NCAA Division II last year after averaging 21.8 completions per game. Charlie Johnson returns for his senior season after recording 77 tackles for the Rockers in 2025. Head coach Charlie Flohr enters his seventh year with South Dakota Mines.

Game Information

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (0-0, 0-0 RMAC) at Drake Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 PFL)
Date & Time: August 27, 2026 • 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Drake Stadium
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

Fans can find the game on the ESPN+ app or at ESPN.com/watch. Tickets for the game are available at godrakebulldogs.evenue.net.

What's Next

The Hardrockers will play their first game at home on Sep. 5 against Southwest Baptist at 1 p.m. After that game, they will host Colorado Mesa on Sep. 12 at 1 p.m.