VALDOSTA, Ga. - Colorado School of Mines' furious comeback attempt was held off Valdosta State as the host Blazers won, 34-31, in the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.

The Orediggers (12-2) roared back from down 34-17 to score the final 14 points of the contest, but the Blazers (12-1) rode their high-powered offense to the early lead and the win.

John Matocha led Mines with 260 yards and touchdowns to Max McLeod and Josh Johnston in the air, while also rushing for 87 net yards and two first-half scores. Michael Zeman rushed for 105 yards. 

VSU's dual-threat quarterback Ivory Durham was outstanding with 153 yards rushing and a touchdown, and 220 yards and three scores in the air, with Lio'undre Gallimore catching 101 yards worth of passes. 

"We are an elite team that deserves to be in the final four, and we will be here next year," said head coach Gregg Brandon, whose team was making its first-ever NCAA semifinal appearance. "To have onside kick chances at the end, these guys fought hard."

The Blazers scored on their very first offensive play as Durham went over the top to Gallimore for a 60-yard touchdown, and they extended the lead on their next drive thanks to an Estin Thiele 26-yard field goal. Matthew Eich got Mines on the board with a 28-yard boot of his own late in the fourth quarter, and Mines' offense finally got going on their opening drive of the second quarter capped by a strong Matocha dive to the goal line to tie it 10-10.

It was back-and-forth for the rest of the first half as Durham hit Travon Roberts for a 37-yard touchdown and Mines answered back with a nine-play, 75-yard series capped by Matocha's 1-yard keeper. Getting the ball back in the third quarter, however, Valdosta managed to score with 31 seconds left in the half on a Victor Talley 20-yard catch to lead 24-17 at the break.

VSU was held to a field goal to start the second half as Thiele was true from 42, and Mines had a chance to draw it back to a score as Matocha dove to line and Aleem Coley popped the ball out; it trickled out of the back of the end zone for a touchback, but Mines got the ball back on the next play as Chaffin Ross forced a Jamar Thompkins fumble recovered by Cam Forrest. Mines punted off that opportunity, and Durham got loose for a 38-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive to lead 34-17 with 3:44 left in the third.

Mines had opportunities in the fourth as they held the Blazers scoreless for the rest of the game. Mines had 4th and 2 at the VSU 4 to start the quarter but was stopped, and a Mason Pierce fumble recovery set Mines up moments later. The Orediggers moved it effectively and Matocha found McLeod on a 17-yard pass to cut it to 34-24 with 3:35 left, but VSU got the onside kick. Mines forced a three-and-out with 1:40 to go and again quickly scored as a 33-yard strike to Johnston set up his six-yard touchdown on the next play; that left it 34-31 with 32 seconds remaining. Mines' onside kick bounced the way they wanted, but the Blazers recovered and were able to kneel it out.

"We had to stop them, as coach Brandon says it's 4-5 plays that make the game," said cornerback Mason Pierce. "I'm extremely proud of my brothers. We bring it every week."

NOTABLES
- Valdosta State advances to play the winner of Saturday's late semifinal between Ferris State and Shepherd.
- The nation's #1 offense, Valdosta State produced 538 total yards but was held 10 points below its season scoring average. 
- Mines also had big numbers on offense with a balanced 448 yards, running 26 more plays than the Blazers and owning a nearly 10-minute time of possession advantage. 
- Zeman produced yet another 100-yard game on a hard-fought 28 carries, and did not lose a yard in the game. He was key as Mines went 4-for-5 on fourth down pickups, earning two of the conversions. 
- Zeman ends the season with 1,608 yards and 26 total touchdowns; his yardage total is second-most ever in a Mines season and his touchdowns total ties the program record. 
- Tristan Smith led Mines with 75 yards receiving on five catches; Joe Golter made a team-high six receptions. Josh Johnston had 64 yards off four grabs as well.
- Mines ends the season a best-ever +18 on turnover margin.     
- Jacob Click had a 44.8-yard punt average on four boots and put down two excellent onside kicks in the fourth quarter. Eich was perfect with a 4-for-4 PAT day in addition to his field goal.