GOLDEN, Colo. - Top-seeded Colorado School of Mines rolled over Bemidji State and into the NCAA national quarterfinals for the first time in program history with a 55-6 win at Marv Kay Stadium.

The Orediggers (11-1) will host Angelo State in the third round on Saturday, Dec. 4 at a time to be announced.

"First time in school history we get to play an NCAA game in December," said head coach Gregg Brandon. "I just love this team. We got after it today, to be honest with you I never expected that kind of victory. I'll take 17-14 but I'll take 55-6 as well."

Mines generated five total turnovers and halted one of the nation's most prolific offenses in the Beavers (10-3), who were playing in the NCAA Second Round for the first time. John Matocha led the offense with 348 yards and three touchdowns passing while also rushing for a TD; Michael Zeman rushed for 93 yards and three scores as well. BSU's Brandon Alt was intercepted four times and held without a touchdown on 17-of-42 passing.

"It was a huge team win," Matocha said. "The defense played phenomenal, set us up really well and had our back. I knew we had to back them up."

The home team poured on 35 points in the third quarter after leading 13-0 at halftime. The Oredigger defense did not give up a touchdown for the second straight game as BSU's only score came on a Hameed Oyedele kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter.

"Linebackers, D-line, DBs, we're solid everywhere. We believe in each other. We're playing fast now, we're playing hard," said Kobe Brewster after his two-interception performance.

Mines set the tone immediately with a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff as Denver Hargrove recovered Oyedele's giveaway on the BSU 13. Three plays later, Matocha dove into the end zone for the early lead

A turnover on downs to start the second quarter gave Mines the chance to go on a long drive that ended with Matocha's 26-yard end zone strike to Max McLeod, and neither team scored again in the first half despite a back-and-forth final three minutes that saw five possession changes, including Kobe Brewster's end-zone interception to halt a charging Beaver offense at the buzzer.

Mines had the ball first in the third quarter and ground out a 75-yard drive that ended with Zeman's one-yard wildcat push, and a punt by Bemidji State led to Matocha finding McLeod on a 65-yard catch-and-run to blow the game open at 27-0. Alt was picked off by Brewster on the very next play, and his 27-yard return to the Beaver 18 set up Zeman's 14-yard run around the edge two plays later for a 34-0 lead.

Matocha found Josh Johnston two series later as Johnston made a spectacular finger-tip grab on the run for a 48-yard touchdown, and Jaden Williams' interception on the ensuing BSU drive set up Zeman for his third touchdown of the game, a 28-yard run to lead 48-6. 

The Mines reserves played virtually the entire fourth quarter and quarterback Evan Foster impressed with a 17-yard run to the pylon to make it 55-6. 

"We're excited. [Angelo State] is going to be solid," Brandon said. "We're down to eight, everybody's good. We have to expect a great game and a good team coming in here. We'll be ready and excited."

NOTABLES
- This is now the deepest journey into the NCAA Championship tournament by Mines, who previous had reached the Second Round three times. Angelo State beat Nebraska-Kearney 20-7 in the other Super Region IV game to set up next week's regional final. 
- The Oredigger defense has not been scored upon in four straight quarters. 
- It was the first-ever meeting between Mines and Bemidji State.
- The nation's #5 passing team heading into this week, Bemidji State was held to 274 yards in the air as Alt was intercepted four times. 
- Matocha's 348 yards marked his playoff career high and the second-most of the season. He notched four total touchdowns for the third time this season.
- Zeman took his season touchdown total to 20 on the ground, now the third-most in a season at Mines. His 24 total touchdowns is now tied for second all-time with Cameron Mayberry's 2018 season, with Brody Oliver's 26 in 2016 the record.
- McLeod ended with 91 yards on just two catches, both for touchdowns. Mason Karp was a key cog in the Mines offense with 10 catches for 90 yards, both season highs.
- Cam Forrest led the secondary with four pass break-ups and Mason Pierce had two as the corners had an active day against the BSU pass. Mack Minnehan and Collin Romero had a team-high six tackles each.
- The Orediggers dominated time of possession with 37:56 of time with the ball. 

NEXT UP
Mines will host Angelo State on Saturday, Dec. 4 in the NCAA quarterfinals. Game time is to be announced; tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. MT Tuesday.