CHADRON, Neb. - Another standout defensive performance helped guide Colorado School of Mines to a road win at Chadron State, 16-12, on Saturday.
The Orediggers (2-2-1, 2-1 RMAC) got back to .500 with a controlled effort, posessing the ball for more than 36 minutes as they held the Eagles (1-4, 0-3 RMAC) out of the end zone until the final whistle.
The defense held CSC to 277 total yards of offense including only 39 rushing yards, holding the hosts to 6-of-16 on third down.
Joseph Capra was an efficient 20-of-24 for 196 yards and a touchdown, with
Aksel Richard having another big game catching five passes for 136 yards and a score. A resurgent Oredigger run game was led by
Max Barnes' 100 yards, the bulk of it coming in the second half.
Preston Kyle made three field goals in a game keyed by special teams moments.
Chadron got on the board first, settling for a 22-yard Shay Prichard field goal after a red zone stop by the Oredigger defense, but Mines responded with a 42-yard Kyle kick set up by a deep punt return from
Bryce Lisaka. The Mines defense came up with a fourth-down stop deep inside CSC territory later in the first quarter, and that led to a 34-yard Capra bomb over the top to Richard one play later to take a 10-3 lead.
Eli Krawczuk blocked a 50-yard field goal try to open the second quarter, but Prichard converted on a second try from 50 with 1:51 remaining in the half in between two missed Oredigger field goals.
Mines started the second half with a 30-yard Kyle field goal before the two teams traded turnovers, with
Braden Keith's interception giving way to a Ryder True strip sack of Capra at midfield. After forcing an Eagle punt, Mines' own kick was blocked just outside the red zone, and Chadron State missed another field goal - this time from 25 - to end the third quarter.
The Orediggers embarked on a 10-minute, 16-play drive to open the fourth quarter, driving all the way to the one before getting Kyle's 18-yard field goal to make it a two-score game at 16-6 with 5:20 to go. Chadron went three and out with
Joey Beckner's third-down sack of Aidan Thompson stopped the drive, and Mines turned it over on downs but not before bleeding more than four more minutes off the clock. That left Chadron State with 1:04, and they used every second of it to score as time expired on Thompson's 19-yard pass to Devon Sundgren.
NOTABLES
- The time of possession was lopsided toward the Orediggers, who held the ball for 36:47, including more than 21 minutes of the second half.
- Richard went over 100 yards for the second straight game after a 150-yard performance against Fort Lewis.
Pierce Richards had a game-high six catches for 35 yards, as well.
- Barnes went over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season, compiling 110 yards on 24 attempts.
Braelon Tate pitched in 55 yards.
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Braden Keith had an interception in the second half, his first as an Oredigger.
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Christian Peluse and
Luke Johnson led the defense with seven tackles apiece, and Peluse added 2.0 TFL, a sack, and three pressures.
- Mines has now blocked two kicks this season along with
Jack Mills' swat of a PAT at Washburn.
- The all-time series between Mines and Chadron State is now even at 24-24. The Orediggers have won 13 of the last 16 games.
NEXT UP
Mines welcomes Black Hills State for Homecoming on Oct. 3 at noon.
