GOLDEN, Colo. - A punishing defense produced the program's first shutout since 2017 as #11/10 Colorado School of Mines rolled over Western Colorado, 28-0, at Marv Kay Stadium.

The Orediggers improved to 6-0 overall and in RMAC play as John Matocha led the offense with a masterful 263-yard passing, 52-yard rushing, four-total-touchdown day. The Mines defense stuffed the Mountaineers (3-3, 3-2 RMAC) for just 213 total yards.

The Western defense did its part, holding Mines to its lowest point total of the season as the Orediggers were held to 124 yards rushing, well below their season average. But Matocha was unstoppable as he completed his first 14 passes on the way to a 32-for-40 game, hooking up for strikes to Zach Hoffman (who had a career 10-catch, 123-yard day) and Garrett Hyles while also running for scores of six and 23 yards.

Led by Mack Minnehan and Mason Pierce, the defense stepped up to limit Connor Desch to 13-of-33 passing for 164 yards as the Mountaineers ran for only 54 yards. Minnehan had a team-high seven tackles with a sack while Pierce had four tackles and three pass break-ups, all coming in sequence on a goal-line stand in the third quarter.

The defense set the tone immediately with a three-and-out, and that led to a long 10-play, 64-yard drive capped by Matocha's six-yard run to lead 7-0 early in the game. Matocha found Hyles over the middle for a 33-yard strike later in the quarter, but neither team scored again until Mines covered 77 yards in 2:11 late in the first half with Matocha escaping pressure to go 23 yards to score and lead 21-0 at the half.

Mines got the ball to begin the second half and immediately scored as a 51-yard Brandon Farmer kickoff return set up Matocha's 36-yard pass to Hoffman and the 28-0 lead. Western's best red zone chance came on their next drive as they had four shots at the goal from the seven; Mack Minnehan and Luke Jeter made a no-gain stop on first down and Pierce got into three straight pass break-ups - all against James Bryant - to stop the Mountaineers from scoring.

The Orediggers chewed up clock after that despite not scoring, and ultimately ended the game by holding the ball for the final 6:07; all told, Mines controlled the ball for 11:02 of the fourth quarter.

NOTABLES
- Mines produced its first shutout since beating New Mexico Highlands 70-0 in 2017. The Orediggers last blanked Western in 2014 (58-0) and it was the seventh time overall in the series.
- The Orediggers are 6-0 for the second straight year and only the seventh time in program history; three of those seasons (2019, 2018, 2015) have come under Gregg Brandon.
- The Mountaineers were shut out for the first time since 2017 against Black Hills State.
- The game was the 95th between Mines and Western Colorado in the longest continuous rivalry in the state. The two have met every year since 1925 save for the lost World War II seasons.
- Hoffman had a breakout game to become the third different Oredigger, along with Josh Johnston and Sean O'Dell, to notch a 100+ yard game this season.
- Mason Karp built on his big game at Colorado Mesa with seven catches for 40 yards. In all, six different players had three or more catches.
- Matocha led all rushers with 52 yards net, and Michael Zeman ran his number with 40 yards. 
- Denver Hargrove recovered a fumbled punt in the fourth quarter for Mines' only turnover of the game.
- Punter Austin Toussaint was outstanding mixing up styles as he placed three of his six punts inside the 20 with a long of 58 yards.

NEXT UP
Mines stays at Marv Kay Stadium to host Fort Lewis for Homecoming on Oct. 19.