GOLDEN, Colo. - A second-half turnaround sparked by a shutdown defensive effort helped stem a slow start as #14 Colorado School of Mines handled business against New Mexico Highlands, 42-13, at Marv Kay Stadium.

The Orediggers (4-0, 4-0 RMAC) took over sole possession of first place in the RMAC after Western Colorado's loss to Adams State. Mines trailed for much of the first half before scoring late in the second quarter to take a lead they would not relinquish. John Matocha threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns while Cameron Mayberry accounted for 121 yards and a score on the ground; Josh Johnston had a career game with six catches for 160 yards while catching both of Matocha's touchdown passes.

The Mines defense was again outstanding, surrendering just 13 points and 197 yards of total offense in the game. The Cowboys (0-4) attacked Mines' #1-rated rushing defense on the ground and had some success with 103 yards off 43 carries, but the Orediggers were relentless in the second half to allow only 57 total yards.

The Cowboys came to play and showed toughness early in taking a 10-0 lead. A fumble on Mines' first possession led to a 42-yard Isreal Farfan field goal, and after both teams traded punts, quarterback Gunner Mefferd capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard keeper to score and lead 10-0.

Mines didn't put it together offensively until early in the second quarter when a 50-yard completion to Johnston sparked an eight-play, 88-yard series than ended with a spectacular 18-yard Johnston catch in the back corner of the end zone to cut it to 10-7. Farfan hit from 45 yards on NMHU's next possession to extend their lead to 13-7, but Mines would reel off the next 35 points to end the game starting with an efficient drive that went 75 yards in only 1:25 and ended with Matocha's 20-yard strike to Johnston to take a 14-13 into the half.

NMHU continued to play tough in the third quarter, including an interception midway through the period, but the Mines defense continued to generate opportunities for the offense and it paid off with an 81-yard drive late in the quarter sparked by Mayberry's 51-yard rush on the first play of the series. Sean O'Dell scored on a three-yard reverse to make it 21-13, and a third-down sack by Jack Peterson and Luke Jeter got the ball back and led Mayberry punch in on the ensuing drive. Kobe Brewster's interception and 45-yard return set Mines up at the NMHU 2-yard line, and it took Mines only one play to score again - albeit in an unconventional way. Mayberry took the handoff and fumbled into the end zone, but offensive lineman Matt Armendariz was there to fall on it for six points and a 35-13 lead.

Michael Zeman would finish off a later drive with a nine-yard touchdown run, and the defense put the game on lockdown in the fourth quarter with NMHU generating a total of four yards off their three series.

NOTABLES
- The Mines defense allowed only 57 total yards, including 12 on the ground, in the second half. 
- Mines produced 445 total yards of offense on a balanced 206/236 rushing/passing split. 
- Mayberry's touchdown was the 50th of his career on the ground as the senior leads all active players in NCAA football. 
- NMHU starter Gunner Mefferd went 5-for-13 for 57 and ran for 46 yards and the Cowboys' touchdown before leaving the game in the second half; Ramone Atkins was 5-for-12 for 37 yards with an interception in his place.
- Brewster's interception was his second in as many games.
- Averie Mansfield led the way with 10 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, while Kobe Brewster made seven stops with the interception. Luke Jeter again bossed the defensive line with seven tackle, including 3.0 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
- Austin Toussaint had an excellent punting game averaging 48.2 yards off four punts.
- Mines took a 27-26-2 lead in the all-time seris against NMHU.

NEXT UP
Mines heads across the Rockies for their Nyikos Cup showdown at Colorado Mesa on Oct. 5.