GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines defense combined with an explosive run game as the Orediggers dispatched Black Hills State, 38-13, before a sold out Homecoming crowd at Marv Kay Stadium.
Max Barnes ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns to lead an Oredigger (3-2-1, 3-1 RMAC) offense that had 276 yards overall on the ground, while Mines' defense had another outstanding performance to limit the Yellow Jackets (4-2, 2-2 RMAC) to only 224 total yards and 3-of-15 on third down.
Pierce Richards and
Braelon Tate caught touchdown passes from
Joseph Capra, and
Mitch Jensen punctuated the win with an 83-yard scoring run late in the fourth quarter. Capra was 22-of-30 for 199 yards, while Mines did well to contain BHSU's dual-threat quarterback Kade Weber, who was sacked twice and constantly put under pressure rushing for 39 yards while going 17-for-32 for 161 yards in the air.
Mines overcame a slow start that included a pair of first-half interceptions thrown, but got going before halftime as the ground game erupted. BHSU led 6-0 following Madden Aquino field goals late in the first and early in the second quarters, but Barnes scored a wild a 49-yard touchdown midway through the second to seize the momentum. It initially appeared that Barnes was tackled, but he fell on top of his defender without contacting the ground, and without a whistle, rolled off his defender and ran uncontested to the end zone for a score that held up after a Yellow Jacket challenge.
Preston Kyle tacked on a 44-yard field goal in the final minute of the period to extend the lead to 10-6 at halftime.
Getting the ball to start the third quarter, Mines marched 75 yards downfield to score on a two-yard swing pass to Tate, then got another when Richards dodged through traffic to score an 11-yard touchdown. Barnes scored again to end the third quarter, a 37-yard run, blowing the game open with a 31-6 lead.
Black Hills State scored late in the fourth when Jayden Williams caught a seven-yard pass from Weber, but Mines ended on a high note when Jensen scored his first collegiate touchdown on an 83-yard breakout with 2:15 remaining.
NOTABLES
- The Homecoming crowd of 4,655 was the 19th sellout all-time at Marv Kay Stadium since it opened in 2015.
- The Mines defense allowed under 100 yards rushing for the third consecutive game as the Yellow Jackets had only 63 yards and 2.0 yards per attempt.
- BHSU was limited to 3-of-15 on third down and were stopped twice on fourth down.
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Joey Beckner produced a sack for the fourth consecutive game, stopped a second-quarter BH drive in the shadow of their goalposts that later led to a Mines field goal.
Christian Peluse and
Jacob Sanders combined for Mines' other sack.
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Joseph Gonzales led all players with a career-high 10 tackles.
- Jensen's touchdown was Mines' longest play of the season at 83 yards. He had 90 yards overall, a career-high.
- Richards led all receivers with 90 yards off nine catches, with
Tyson Mauck adding 50 on three catches.
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Lucas LeSieur was called on to punt once, a 55-yarder.
- Mines improved to 16-0 all-time against Black Hills State.
NEXT UP
Mines will enjoy a bye next week before returning at Colorado Mesa Oct. 17.
