MINES FOOTBALL DEFEATS WESTERN STATE, 38-21

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado Mines junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) completed 17-of-30 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns and added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown to help lead the Orediggers to a 38-21 victory over Western State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field. It is the first two-game winning streak for CSM over Western since 1959-60.

The victory concludes the Orediggers season at 6-5 overall and 4-4 in RMAC play. It is the third consecutive winning season for Mines, which marks the first time that has happened in program history since 1913-15. Western finishes its season at 5-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

The Mountaineers struck on the opening drive of the game by marching 63 yards in 10 plays as Jeff Howard capped the drive with a 12 yard scoring run. However, CSM responded on the next possession when Friehauf scampered into the end zone from five yards out to tie the game at 7-7. A 30 yard touchdown run by Chaumont Bouknight gave the Mountaineers a 14-7 lead at the end of one quarter.

Mines regained the lead at 17-14 with 8:51 to play in the first half as junior running back Criag VanHorn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) found paydirt from eight yards out. Quarterback Nate Baca gave Western the lead at 21-17 five minutes later with a nine yard scoring run. However, on the first play from scrimmage following the kickoff, Friehauf hooked up with junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) for a 67 yard touchdown to give Mines the lead for good, 24-21.

Friehauf added a pair of second half touchdown passes, a four yarder to Chan and a 10 yarder to freshman running back Brian Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) to lead Mines to the win. The Oredigger defense forced and recovered two fumbles and blocked a 23 yard field goal attempt in the second half as it kept the Western offense off the scoreboard in the second half.

Chan posted his fifth straight 100 yard receiving game as he hauled in four balls for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,021 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. VanHorn carried the ball 18 times for 89 yards and a scores, while sophomore wideout Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) caught three passes for 60 yards.

Junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) posted 12 tackles and recovered a fumble, while sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) recorded 12 tackles, including three for losses and forced a fumble.

Bouknight carried the ball 37 times for 141 yards and a touchdown. Baca completed 20-of-26 passes for 254 yards, while Jeremy Craighead caught 13 balls for 154 yards and Mike Swaro and Dominic Payne were each in on 11 tackles.

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CSM FOOTBALL DEFEATS ADAMS STATE, 26-22

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines junior running back Craig VanHorn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) scored on a one yard run with 28 seconds remaining in the game to life the Orediggers to a 26-22 victory over Adams State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Mines (5-5, 3-4 RMAC) claimed a 16-0 lead after one quarter as it capitalized on a pair of early Grizzly turnovers. After forcing an Adams State punt on the opening possession, CSM junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) found paydirt from three yards out to give Mines a 7-0 lead with 9:07 left in the first quarter.

Mines sophomore cornerback Nick Gilbreath (Mead, Colo./Roosevelt) came up with his team-leading fifth interception on the ensuing possesion to set up the Orediggers second score when sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) took a shovel pass from Friehauf and turned it into a 17 yard score. Sophomore Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) added a 19 yard field goal with 2:29 left in the first half to make it 16-0.

However, the Grizzlies (4-6, 3-4 RMAC) would score 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to slice their deficit to 16-14 at the break. Hahn connected on a 20 yard field goal with 10:45 to play in the third quarter put Mines up 19-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Adams took its first lead of the contest with 6:37 to play when Lenard Semajuste plunged into the end zone from one yard out. The two-point conversion made it 22-19, but after an Oredigger punt, the Mines defense forced a three and out and drove 75 yards in nine plays to set up VanHorn’s heroics.

The Grizzlies, who took the ensuing kickoff on their own 30 yard line, did manage to move the ball to the Oredigger 36 yard line with five seconds to play. However, a Hail Mary attempt was batted down as time expired.

“This is a huge win for us,” Mines Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “A win next week will give us our third straight winning season and also send the three seniors out with a winning record for their four year careers.”

Friehauf finished 21-of-30 for 262 yards, one touchdown and an interception, while junior receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) notched his fourth straight 100 yard receiving game with 135 yards on seven catches. VanHorn toted the ball 17 times for 53 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore linebacker Kyle Smith (Broomfield, Colo./Northglenn) recorded a game-high 14 tackles and recovered a fumble, while junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christain) was in on 13 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and an interception.

Adams State’s Matt Gotta completed 15-of-25 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Bryan Bohanan caught three balls for 58 yards and a score. Mike McDonald led the Grizzly defense with 10 tackles, including a sack.

CSM will conclude its season next Saturday when it hosts Western State at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field.

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MINES FOOTBALL FALLS AT MESA STATE, 48-18

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado Mines football team fell to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play with a 48-18 setback at 15th-ranked Mesa State Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

CSM forced the Mavericks to a three and out on the opening possession and scored on its first possession as sophomore kicker Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) connected on a career-long 45 yard field goal with 9:59 to play in the first quarter. However, the Mesa State would scored 17 unanswered points to gain a 17-3 advantage with 8:46 to play in the first half.

Mines sliced the deficit to 17-10 with 5:20 left in the first half as junior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) scampered into the end zone from 25 yards out. A 48 yard field goal by Mesa’s Casey Coulter with no time remaining gave the Mavericks a 20-10 lead at the intermission.

Mesa (8-1, 6-0 RMAC) then capitalized with two early scores to start the third quarter. Andy Rauenzahn got things going with a 12 yard scoring run after the Maverick defense forced a Mines punt on the opening possession. On the ensuing kickoff, Mesa forced a fumble and recovered at the Mines 11 yard line. Five plays later, Rauenzahn scored from a yard out to make it 34-10 with 11:08 to play in the third.

On CSM’s next possession, junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) hit junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) for a 45 yard touchdown to cap a seven play, 99 yard drive. Charles Dukes added a touchdown run late in the third quarter and another 40 seconds into the fourth to conclude the scoring.

Friehauf finished 8-of-20 for 149 yards and a touchdown, while Chan caught four passes for 109 yards and a score. Van Horn had his string of three straight 100 yard rushing games ended as he mustered 55 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. The CSM defense was led by junior free safety Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) who posted a game-best 15 tackles.

Dukes carried the ball 22 times for 198 yards and three scores, while Jeff Mowry completed 9-of-13 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown and also ran 11 times for 42 yards. B.J. Russell amassed eight tackles to lead the defense.

Mines will return to action next Saturday when it hosts Adams State at Brooks Field. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.

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CSM FOOTBALL WINS AT HIGHLANDS, 75-40

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The Colorado Mines football team piled up 721 yards of offense, including 421 passing yards and 300 rushing yards, in claiming a 75-40 victory at New Mexico Highlands in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon. The 75 points scored by Mines were the fourth most in program history.

After fumbling the opening kickoff, the Oredigger defense got the ball right back when sophomore linebacker Danny Sprague (Lakewood, Colo./Wheat Ridge) recovered a Cowboy fumble at the Mines two-yard line. CSM then marched 98 yards in just over three minutes and capped the drive with junior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) finding paydirt from one yard out.

Mines would score on its next three first quarter possessions, including a seven yard scamper by Van Horn, to claim a 28-7 lead at the end of 15 minutes.

The Cowboys (0-8, 0-5 RMAC) used two touchdowns early in the second quarter to slice their deficit to 28-17 with 10:50 to play in the first half, but CSM junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) threw a pair of touchdown passes before the half ended to give the Orediggers a 42-27 lead at the intermission. Both scoring tosses went to junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) and covered 63 and six yards.

Oredigger redshirt freshman Brent Chacon (Gilcrest, Colo./Valley) recorded a four yard scoring run for the only points of the third quarter to give his squad a 49-27 lead. Chacon would then add a pair of touchdown receptions from redshirt freshman quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete) in the fourth quarter, while sophomore quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) added a 53 yard scoring strike to sophomore wideout Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Westminster) during the final stanza.

Friehauf, Medina and Mehl combined to complete 20-of-32 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns, while Chan hauled in five balls for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Chacon caught six passes for 101 yards and a score, while Van Horn toted the ball 23 times for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Mines defense, which produced five turnovers for the fourth time this season, was led by sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) who was in on 11 tackles.

NMHU was led by Nick Higgs who completed 23-of-38 passes for 328 yards and three scores. Jose Serate registered 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 12 catches, while Ikaika Neizman caught four passes for 145 yards and two scores. The Cowboy defense was paced by Justin Watson’s 10 tackles.

CSM (4-4, 2-3 RMAC) will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Mesa State for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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MINES FOOTBALL DEFEATS FORT LEWIS, 37-7

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado Mines football team racked up 585 yards of offense and 28 first downs in cruising to a 37-7 victory over Fort Lewis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field in the Orediggers Homecoming Game.

The Orediggers scored touchdowns on their first two possessions as junior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) tallied a three yard scoring run and junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) from three yards out for a 14-0 lead with 4:21 to play in the first quarter.

FLC (1-6, 1-4 RMAC) scored its lone touchdown of the game with 9:37 to play in the first half when Nate Swanson blocked a punt, scooped it up and returned it 24 yards for a score.

Van Horn added a two yard scoring run and Friehauf a 19 yard run in the second quarter to extend the CSM lead to 28-7 at the break. After a scoreless thrid quarter, Mines put the game out of reach when Friehauf hit junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) for an 83 yard scoring strike to give Mines a 34-7 lead with 10 minutes to play.

Friehauf finished 13-of-21 for 248 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed four times for 25 yards and another score. Van Horn toted the ball 23 times for 123 yards and two scores, Chan caught three passes for 103 yards and junior wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) hauled in four balls for 119 yards.

The defense, which posted two interceptions and recorded five sacks, was led by sophomore linebacker Danny Sprague (Lakewood, Colo./Wheat Ridge) who registered eight stops, including two for losses and two sacks. Sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) tallied seven stops, while junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) recorded four tackles and an interception.

“This was the first time we were completely healthy since week two and we finally turned in outstanding performances on both sides of the ball,” CSM Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “This was a huge win for us and another win next week will get us back to .500 (4-4).”

Fort Lewis was led on offense by Andrew Webb who completed 21-of-37 passes for 209 yards. Ruben Seals caught seven balls for 108 yards, while Joe Moore totaled 80 yards of offense. Joe Morris amassed a game-best 12 tackles to lead the Skyhawk defense.

Mines (3-4, 1-3 RMAC) will return to action next Saturday when it travels to New Mexico Highlands for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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CSM FOOTBALL DROPS 42-21 CONTEST TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY

GOLDEN, Colo. - Nebraska-Kearney’s Mike Miller carried the ball 37 times for 222 yards and a score and the Lopers racked up 618 yards of offense and 33 first downs in claiming a 42-21 victory over Colorado Mines in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

The Lopers tallied first as quarterback Pat Korth kept the ball for a one yard scoring run with 9:20 to play on the Lopers opening drive. UNK would extend its lead to 21-0 at the half on an eight yard pass from Korth to Richie Ross and a three yard scoring run by Miller late in the second quarter.

The Orediggers were forced into a three and out on the opening possession of the second half and Kearney took advantage by going 52 yards in four plays after the punt to take a 28-0 lead with 12:53 to play in the third quarter. The drive was capped with Korth hitting Darnell Wood from 15 yards out.

However, Mines kept fighting and cut its deficit to 28-13 with 7:14 to play in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) began the rally with an 11 yard scoring run, while junior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) scampered 26 yards to cut the deficit to 28-13.

But the Lopers (4-2, 3-1 RMAC) used a 44 yard field goal from Jessup Pfeifer with 2:39 to play in the third quarter and a four yard touchdown run by Steve Bremmer with 13:45 to play in the game to regain a 26 point advantage (39-13).

On the ensuing drive, Friehauf led Mines on a six play, 69 yard drive that was capped with the quarterback finding the end zone from 21 yards out to make it 39-21. Pfeifer concluded the scoring with a 24 yard field goal with 7:22 to play.

Friehauf finished 16-of-36 for 206 yards and also ran for 61 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Van Horn toted the ball 21 times for 132 yards and a score, while junior wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) caught four passes for 72 yards.

The CSM defense, which had five players register double-digits in tackles, was led by sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) who registered a game and career-best 16 stops. Junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) and sophomore linebacker Kyle Smith (Broomfield, Colo./Northglenn) recorded 14 tackles each.

Korth aided Miller’s offensive performance by going 22-of-27 for 283 yards and two scores. Wood caught seven passes for 63 yards and a score, while Ross hauled in six passes for 97 yards and one touchdown. The Loper defense was led by Ryan Krueger who totaled 10 tackles and a half sack.

Mines (2-4, 0-3 RMAC) will return to action next Saturday when it hosts Fort Lewis at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field.

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MINES FOOTBALL FALLS AT FORT HAYS STATE, 27-17

HAYS, Kan. - The Colorado School of Mines football team slipped to 2-3 and 0-2 in the conference with a 27-17 setback at Fort Hays State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Orediggers against FHSU.

The Tigers (3-2, 3-0 RMAC) struck first as Jeremy Rusco plunged into the end zone from one yard out just 1:41 into the game. The score was set up after the Tiger defense forced a fumble and recovered it at the Mines 38 yard line.

Mines sophomore kicker Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) sliced the deficit to 7-3 with 9:02 left in the first hadl when he connected on a 40 yard field goal. The score capped an 11 play, 60 yard Oredigger drive. However, the Tigers regained a seven point lead (10-7) as Bryson Moore kicked a 40 yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

CSM managed to knot the game at 10-10 early in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) hit sophomore wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) from two yards out.

But the Tigers used two scoring runs from Luke Gottschalk (13 and 1 yards) and a 24 yard field goal by Moore to reclaim a 27-10 lead with nine minutes to play in the game. Lis caught a three yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) with 2:10 to play to conclude the scoring.

Friehauf and Medina combined to go 29-of-37 for 224 yards and two scores, while Lis hauled in seven balls for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) managed 73 rushing yards on 12 carries and also caught seven passes for 30 yards.

Junior free safety Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) recorded a team-best 10 tackles, while sophomore cornerback Nick Gilbreath (Mead, Colo./Roosevelt) tallied seven tackles and his team-leading fourth interception of the season.

Gottschalk ran for 123 yards and two scores on 23 carries, while Rusco added 116 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Reed Gottula completed 11-of-20 passes fo 92 yards, while Jace Pavlovich amassed a game-high 13 tackles.

CSM will return to action next Saturday when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney for a 1:00 pm game at Brooks Field.

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CSM FOOTBALL FALLS AT CHADRON STATE, 38-21

CHADRON, Neb. - The Colorado Mines football team dropped its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener against 20th ranked Chadron State, 38-21, on Saturday afternoon at Elliott Field. The loss drops Mines to 2-2 overall (0-1 RMAC), while the Eagles improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Mines opened the scoring at the 12:42 mark of the first quarter as junior running back Criag VanHorn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) found paydirt from two yards out. The score was set up as CSM sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) picked up an Eagle fumble and returned it 45 yards to the Chadron 2-yard line.

However, the Eagels went on to score 31 unanswered points to claim a 31-7 advantage with 1:32 left in the third quarter. Nathan Liess did a majority of the damage as he registered three rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Shawn Eisenreich hooked up with Brady Hollaway for a 70 yard touchdown pass.

Mines did manage to make things interesting in the fourth quarter as sophomore quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) fired a five yard scoring toss to junior wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) just four seconds into the final stanza. After the Oredigger defense held, Medina led Mines on a 14-play, 71-yard scoring drive which was capped with an eight yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Brent Chacon (Gilcrest, Colo./Valley) with 6:53 to play to cut the deficit to 31-21.

CSM managed to recover the ensuing onside kick, but the Eagle defense stopped Mines on four straight plays to regain control of the ball. Liess then finished the scoring with his fourth touchdown of the afternoon, a six yard run with 3:30 left in the game.

Medina and junior Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) combined to complete 24-of-46 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Chacon caught six passes for 60 yards, while sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Westminster) added five catches for 110 yards and junior Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) contributed five catches for 91 yards.

The Oredigger defense, which forced five turnovers for the third time in four games this season, was paced by Heath who notched a game-high 13 tackles, while sophomore defensive lineman Caleb Ring (Brighton, Colo./Horizon) added a career-high eight tackles.

Liess finished with 110 yards and four scores on 25 carries, while Eisenreich completed 15-of-25 passes for 283 yards and a score. Bryce Flamming hauled in four balls for 126 yards. The Eagle defense, while picked off three passes and recorded nine sacks, was led by Cody Assmann and Alex Tone who tallied 10 tackles apiece.

The Orediggers will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Fort Hays for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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MINES FOOTBALL FALLS TO NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA STATE, 34-16

GOLDEN, Colo. - Northwestern Oklahoma State, the sixth ranked team in the NAIA polls, scored 21 unanswered second half points to claim a 34-16 victory over Colorado Mines in non-conference football action on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field. Patrick Crayton threw a pair of second half touchdowns (32 and 48 yards), while the Rangers also recovered a fumble in the end zone for another second half score.

Mines (2-1) struck first as redshirt freshman wide receiver Brent Chacon (Gilcrest, Colo./Valley) hauled in a 20 yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush). The extra point was blocked. NWOSU took a 7-6 lead on the ensuing possession as Crayton scampered 58 yards for a score.

On the next Mines possession, Friehauf was intercepted by C.J. Hollins who returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked by Mines junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) making the score 13-6.

Mines sophomore quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) found paydirt from one yard out on the next possession to cap an 11 play, 71 yard drive and knot the score at 13-13. Sophomore kicker Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) added a 24 yard field goal with 2:40 to play in the first half to give the Orediggers a 16-13 lead at the intermission.

But the Rangers (2-0) added 21 straight points in the second half and held the Orediggers scoreless to claim the victory.

Friehauf finished 30-of-55 for 323 yards, but was intercepted four times. Sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) caught seven passes for 89 yards, while junior wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) hauled in five balls for 48 yards.

The CSM defense was paced by Leger who registered a game-high 13 tackles, including three for losses. Junior free safety Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) amassed 12 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) was in on eight stops and also recovered a fumble.

Crayton led the Ranger offense as he completed 8-of-15 passes for 164 yards and two scores and also ran eight times for 79 yards and another touchdown. Michael Salters caught six passes for 129 yards and a score, while Travares Osley produced a team-high 10 tackles to go along with a fumble recovery, an interception and two passes defended. Corey Gilmore added a pair of interceptions.

The Orediggers have next weekend off and will return to action on Sept. 27 when they travel to Chadron State for a 1:30 pm kickoff.

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CSM FOOTBALL TOPS MISSOURI ROLLA, 28-7, BEHIND THREE TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY CHAD FRIEHAUF

ROLLA, Mo. - Colorado Mines junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) threw three touchdown passes for the second consecutive week as the Orediggers moved to 2-0 on the season with a 28-7 victory over Missouri Rolla at Allgood-Bailey Stadium in the First Mineral Rights Bowl.

Friehauf finished 20-of-40 for 268 yards and three scores, while junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) caught five passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Oredigger offense. In addition, junior running back Criag VanHorn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) toted the ball 20 times for 142 yards and a touchdown as the Mines offense racked up 525 yards of offense and 27 first downs.

The Oredigger defense was equally impressive for the second straight week as it forced five Rolla turnovers and now has 10 turnovers in two games this season. Sophomore cornerback Nick Gilbreath (Mead, Colo./Roosevelt) tallied his second interception in as many weeks, while redshirt freshman Joe Roseberry (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) notched the first interception of his career. Mines also had three fumble recoveries, two sacks and allowed just 57 rushing yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, Mines jumped on the board five seconds into the second quarter as Friehauf hit Chan from six yards out. Sophomore Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) added the extra point to make it 7-0. VanHorn found paydirt from three yards out with 19 seconds to play in the first half to make the score 14-0 as Hahn connected on the point after.

The Orediggers extended their lead to 21-0 as Friehauf hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) from eight yards out with 7:15 to play in the third quarter. The scoring drive was set up as junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) recovered a fumble on the CSM 25-yard line and when Friehauf connected with junior wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) for gains of 19 and 25 yards on the scoring drive.

Rolla (0-1) got on the scoreboard with 11:12 to play in the game as Cole Drussa caught an 11 yard touchdown pass from Mark Becker. However, the Orediggers regained a 21 point advantage on the ensuing possession as Friehauf hit Chan for a 35 yard scoring strike 1:38 later.

Leger led the CSM defense with a game-high 12 tackles, including two for losses, and a fumble recovery. Sophomore linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) posted eight stops, while junior free safety Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) was in on six stops and also broke up a pass.

Mines (2-0) will be back in action next Saturday when it hosts Northwest Oklahoma State at Brooks Field. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.

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MINES FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON WITH 51-10 WIN OVER
WESTERN NEW MEXICO

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado Mines junior quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) went 20-of-28 for 265 yards and three touchdowns and ran in two more scores to help lead the Orediggers to an easy 51-10 victory over Western New Mexico in the season opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

CSM claimed a 17-3 lead at the half as Friehauf scampered 30 yards for a score with 5:38 to play in the first quarter. Three minutes later, Friehauf hooked up with redshirt freshman Dominic Monarco (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado) from two yards out to make it 14-0. The teams traded field goals late in the first half to make it 17-3.

CSM then broke the game open in the third quarter as Friehauf found junior wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) for a pair of scores. The first score covered 65 yards, while the second touchdown went for 40 yards and was set up after junior linebacker Larry Forsythe (Tempe, Ariz./Phoenix College) recovered a Mustang fumble.

WNMU cut its deficit to 31-10 as Bobby Wilcox hauled in a 19 yard touchdown pass from Kyle Meschnark. On the ensuing possession, Friehauf again found paydirt, this time from one yard out to make it 38-10. After an 88-minute delay due to inclement weather, the teams came out and on the first play from scrimmage following the kickoff, Mines junior linebacker Kyle Smith (Broomfield, Colo./Northglenn) intercepted a pass and took it 27 yards for a touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) added a 10 yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Brent Chacon (Gilcrest, Colo./Valley) late in the game to provide the final margin.

Chan finished with seven catches for 159 yards and two scores and also added 58 yards on two kickoff returns, while sophomore wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) caught five passes for 77 yards. The Oredigger defense allowed just 269 yards to the Mustangs and finished with seven sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Junior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) and sophomore linebackers Gabe Florio (Glendale, Ariz./Deer Valley) and Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) each tied for the team-lead with nine tackles.

“I was extremely impressed with our defense,” Mines Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “They played with a swagger today and were really flying around out there.”

WNMU wide receiver Bobby Wilcox caught two passes for 49 yards and a score, while Hurtis Chinn gained 38 yards on 10 carries. Linebacker Scott Fish produced a game-high 11 tackles and forced a fumble.

Mines will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Missouri-Rolla for a 1:00 pm contest.

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