MINES FOOTBALL KONCKS OFF WESTERN STATE, 47-37

GUNNISON, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) completed 24-of-38 passes for 421 yards and four touchdowns to help lead the Orediggers to a 47-37 victory at Western State on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football action.

With the victory, CSM finishes the 2002 campaign at 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC for the second consecutive season. The 14 victories over the 2001-02 seasons marks the first time in the history of the program that Mines has won 14 games over a two season span. Last week, the Orediggers clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1975-76 seasons.

The victory also marked the first time CSM has defeated Western State since the 1990 season.

Mines jumped out to a 23-0 lead midway through the first half this afternoon as sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) caught a touchdown from Friehauf in each of the first two quarters. Friehauf hit Chan for a 65 yard strike in the first quarter and also connected with him for a 13 yard score in the second. Sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) added a 36 yard scoring run in the second quarter.

However, the Mountaineers responded with a pair of second quarter scores to slice their deficit to 23-15 at the half. A 32 yard field goal by CSM redshirt freshman Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) pushed the Mines lead back to 11 points (26-15) with 10:25 left in the third quarter, but Western State responded as Nate Campbell found paydirt from one yard out to cut the Mines lead to 26-23 with 6:29 left in the third. Each team added another third quarter touchdown as Mines concluded the third quarter with a 33-30 advantage.

The Orediggers then broke the game open with two early fourth quarter scores to claim a 47-30 lead with 6:44 left in the game. Friehauf found sophomore wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) from two yards out and Van Horn added a two yard scoring run.

In addition to Friehauf’s offensive performance, Van Horn toted the ball 17 times for 95 yards and two scores, marking the fifth consecutive game he has rushed for more than 90 yards. In addition, senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) caught six passes for 163 yards and set a Colorado Mines career record with 146 receptions. The Mines defense was paced by sophomore cornerback Brian Yureskes (Bailey, Colo./Platte Canyon) who totaled a game-best 13 tackles. In addition, sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) posted five stops and set a Mines single season record with 110 tackles. He also intercepted one pass, meaning CSM notched at least one pick in each of its 11 games this season.

For Western, Nate Baca completed 17-of-30 passes for 298 yards and two scores, while Nate Campbell rushed for 133 yards and two scores on 33 carries. Michael Brooks and Casey Speck each tallied eight tackles to pace the defense.

CSM racked up 546 yards of offense and punted just one time as it converted 11-of-15 third downs.

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VAN HORN LEADS MINES FOOTBALL TO 29-18 WIN AT ADAMS STATE

ALAMOSA, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) accounted for four touchdowns to help lead the Orediggers to a 29-18 victory at Adams State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, Mines has assured itself of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1975-76. In addition, CSM has won 13 games over the past two seasons, a feat that had been accomplished just one time in the history of the program (1912-13).

Mines (6-4, 3-4 RMAC) jumped out to a 21-0 lead after one quarter as Van Horn scored two rushing touchdowns (23 and 18 yards) and also threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain).

Adams State managed to cut its deficit to 21-9 at the half as Ryan Shiba kicked a 43-yard and Bobby Solano added a 23 yard scoring run in the second quarter. Solano added a 9 yard touchdown run with 11:22 remaining in the third to slice the CSM lead to 21-16.

Mines tacked on a 20 yard scoring pass to Van Horn from senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Lakeside) with 5:20 left in the game and ASC added a late safety on a snap out of the end zone to conclude the scoring.

Van Horn finished with 17 carries for 109 yards and two scores and also caught two passes for 26 yards and a score. Senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) hauled in three balls for 55 yards and also recorded 82 yards on three total returns. Sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian), the leading tackler in the RMAC, posted a game-high 16 stops, including four for losses.

Adams State (5-5, 4-3 RMAC) was led by Solano who toted the ball 29 times for 125 yards and a pair of scores. Adam McGurk led the Grizzly defense with 12 tackles, including two for losses.

Mines will be back in action next Saturday when it concludes its season with a 1:00 pm game at Western State.

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MINES FOOTBALL DROPS 35-30 CONTEST TO MESA STATE

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the conference following a 35-30 loss to Mesa State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Mines jumped out to a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter as sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) tossed a pair of touchdowns. His first was a one-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Andrew Schmid (Loveland, Colo./Loveland), while his second touchdown pass was a six-yard toss to redshirt freshman wide receiver Cole Henderson (Swink, Colo./Swink) with 6:04 left in the first stanza.

After Mesa (4-5, 4-2) sliced its deficit to 14-7 on a two-yard scoring run by Alfonso Alfini with 2:10 left in the first quarter, CSM gained a 17-7 lead on a 22 yard field goal by redshirt freshman Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) with 11:00 left in the first half. The Orediggers extended their lead to 24-7 as Friehauf threw his third touchdown pass of the half, this one a nine-yard strike to Schmid.

However, the Mavericks scored the next 28 points of the game over the second, third and fourth quarters to claim a 35-24 lead on a 25 yard touchdown run by quarterback Jeff Mowry with 11:20 remaining in the game. Mowry also added a 33 yard touchdown pass, while Alfini contributed a one-yard scoring run over that span.

Mines managed to cut its deficit to 35-30 when senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Lakeside) hooked up with senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) with 2:01 left in the game. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Mavericks and they proceeded to run out the clock to preserve the victory.

Friehauf and Jackson were a combined 19-of-35 for 241 yards and four scores, while sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) toted the ball 11 times for 90 yards. The Mines defense was led by senior free safety Matt Oliver (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) who registered a game-high 17 tackles. In addition, sophomore free safety Brandon Carrera (Craig, Colo./Moffat County) produced 16 tackles, while sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) was in on 13 stops. Sophomore cornerback Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) posted 11 tackles and also intercepted his team-leading fifth pass of the season.

For Mesa State, Mowry rushed 25 times for 139 yards and a score and also completed 4-of-10 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Alfini finished the game with 12 carries for 64 yards and two scores. The Maverick defense was paced by Brent Russell who tallied eight tackles.

CSM will be back in action next Saturday when it travels to Adams State for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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MINES FOOTBALL TRIUMPHS OVER NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS, 55-24

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines football team scored 27 unanswered second half points and broke a two-game losing streak with a 55-24 victory over New Mexico Highlands in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Mines (5-3, 2-3 RMAC) struck quickly as sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Mines extended its lead to 21-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter as sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) scored on a 33 yard scamper and Chan hauled in a 33 yard pass from sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) on a fourth down play.

However, the Cowboys (0-7, 0-5) responded on their next possession as Nick Higgs connected with Andres Padilla for an 80 yard touchdown to slice the deficit to 21-7 at the end of one quarter. Cowboy running back Deshon Mason then added a pair of one yard touchdown runs, the second with 5:20 left in the first half to knot the game at 21-21. A 31 yard field goal by Mike Blackwood gave NMHU its first lead of the game, 24-21, with 1:58 left in the first half.

But the Orediggers came back with a four play, 55 yard drive which was capped by Friehauf throwing a 21 yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) with 50 seconds left in the first half.

The Orediggers came out and scored 10 points in the third quarter and added 17 in the final stanza to secure the win. Van Horn and redshirt freshman quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./South) scored on one yard touchdown runs, while senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Lakeside) added a 20 yard touchdown toss to redshirt freshman Cole Henderson (Swink, Colo./Swink). In addition, redshirt freshman Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo.Grandview) chipped in with two field goals in the second half (35 and 29 yards).

Friehauf finished the afternoon 23-of-32 for 268 yards and two scores, while Gallas registered career highs in receptions (10) and yards (133). Van Horn toted the ball 16 times for 99 yards and two scores and also caught five passes for 43 yards and Chan totaled 286 all-purpose yards. The Oredigger defense, which surrendered just four first downs and 98 yards in the second half, was led by sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) who amassed a game-high 10 tackles to go along with three tackles for losses and two sacks. Mines also recorded two interceptions on the afternoon.

For the Cowboys, Higgs completed 15-of-35 passes for 388 yards and a score, while Darnell Crowder caught five passes for 78 yards. Matt Evans registered eight tackles to lead the Cowboy defense, which picked off three passes.

“I was very pleased with the victory today,” Mines Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “The offense finally broke out and we were able to establish a solid running game. I was also impressed with how aggressive our defense came out in the second half and completely shut them down.”

CSM will be in action next Saturday when it hosts Mesa State at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field. It will be the final home game of the 2002 season for Mines and will also be celebrated be Senior Day.

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CSM FOOTBALL FALLS AT FORT LEWIS, 33-30

DURANGO, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines football team fell to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the conference with a 33-30 loss at Fort Lewis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

The teams were tied at 3-3 after one quarter as Mikkael Bjork opened the scoring for FLC with a 44 yard field goal at the 10:00 mark of the opening quarter. CSM senior Josh Hodsdon (Denver, Colo./South) responded with a 37 yard field goal to tie the game with 2:04 left in the first quarter.

The Skyhawks (1-6, 1-3 RMAC) gained a 10-3 lead 22 seconds into the second quarter as Andrew Webb connected with Martin Tatom from 36 yards out. However, CSM used a pair of one yard touchdown runs from sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) and senior running back Jared Thompson (Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield) to claim a 15-10 advantage with 5:08 left in the first half. FLC tacked on a score with 3:01 left in the half to gain a 16-15 lead at halftime.

The Skyhawks extended their lead to 23-15 just 56 seconds into the third quarter as Jamal Allen recovered a blocked punt and scored from two yards out. Bjork added a 22 yard field goal with 13:30 left in the game to give Fort Lewis a 26-15 lead.

However, CSM responded at the 9:10 mark as Van Horn hauled in a 23 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush). The Orediggers then regained the lead (30-26) with 3:47 left in the game as Friehauf hit Thompson from one yard out.

However, the Skyhawks responded with a 14 play, 80 yard drive which was capped when Joe Moore caught a 30 yard touchdown pass from Webb with just 39 seconds remaining in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, CSM sophomore Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) went 49 yards to midfield. From there, Friehauf completed an 11 yard pass to freshman wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) and after FLC was hit with a personal foul penalty, Mines had the ball at the Skyhawk 24 yard line. After a completed pass and two incompletions, Hodsdon’s field goal attempt from 41 yards on fourth down missed as time expired.

Friehauf completed the game 29-of-53 for 256 yards and two scores, while Van Horn toted the ball 11 times for 110 yards and a score. He also caught seven passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. CSM’s defense forced seven FLC fumbles and recovered four, while redshirt freshman linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) made a game-high 13 tackles. He also forced a fumble and recorded a sack.

For the Skyhawks, Webb completed 29-of-52 passes for 317 yards and two scores, while Moore caught seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Grant Chastain led the FLC defense with 11 tackles, including three for loss.

Mines will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when it hosts New Mexico Highlands at 1:00 pm in the annual Homecoming Game.

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MINES FOOTBALL FALLS AT NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 58-14

KEARNEY, Neb. - The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference following a 58-14 setback against 23rd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football action at Foster Field.

The Lopers (5-1, 3-1 RMAC) jumped out to a 21-0 lead after one quarter as Richie Ross caught touchdown passes of 32 and 39 yards and quarterback Pat Korth found paydirt from one-yard out. UNK extended its lead to 41-0 at the half on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Korth to Joel Jacobs, a 6-yard scoring run from Korth and a 2-yard touchdown run from Allen Burrell.

UNK made it 48-0 by taking the opening kickoff of the second half 76 yards in nine plays. The drive was capped when Korth hit Ross from 37 yards out.

The Orediggers got on the board on their next possession as they marched 70 yards in five plays. Sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) completed the drive by hitting sophomore wide receiver Andrew Schmid (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) from 10 yards out. For Friehauf, it was his ninth TD toss of the season, while it was Schmid’s fourth touchdown grab of the season.

UNK’s Henrik Juul-Nielson booted a 41-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter to extend the Loper lead to 51-7 after three quarters. Following a CSM turnover on downs to open the fourth quarter, UNK’s Marcus Goldstein connected with Darnell Wood for a 76-yard touchdown to make the score 58-7 in favor of UNK with 10:11 remaining in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Oredigger sophomore Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) went 100 yards for a touchdown to conclude the scoring.

Friehauf finished the game 21-of-37 for 206 yards and a score, while sophomore wide receiver Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) made six catches for 64 yards. Redshirt freshman linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) and sophomore cornerback Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) tied for game-high honors with nine tackles each. Newton also deflected two passes, while sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) was in on eight tackles.

For the Lopers, Korth completed 27-of-36 passes for 390 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Ross finished with game-highs in receptions (9), yards (157) and touchdowns (3), while Wood caught five balls for 144 yards and a score. Akil Davis posted seven tackles to lead the Loper defense.

CSM will be back in action next Saturday when it travels to Durango, Colo., to face Fort Lewis at 1:00 pm.

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CSM FOOTBALL KNOCKS OFF FORT HAYS STATE, 42-27

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines football team won for the fourth time in five games this season as the Orediggers knocked off Fort Hays State, 42-27, at Brooks Field on Saturday afternoon. It marked the first time Mines has defeated the Tigers in back-to-back seasons in school history (16 all-time meetings).

The Tigers jumped on the board first as they capitalized on a CSM fumble on the opening kickoff when Charles Lewis plunged into the end zone from two yards out just 37 seconds into the game. The extra point was no good. CSM responded at the 9:40 mark of the opening quarter as sophomore running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) scored on a 17-yard pass from senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Lakeside). Redshirt freshman Scott Hahn (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) converted the extra point to give Mines a 7-6 lead at the end of one quarter.

FHSU (1-4, 0-3 RMAC) regained the lead at 13-7 on a 4-yard touchdown run from Sir Jonathan Johnson with 8:54 left in the first half.

However, the Orediggers would go on to tally 28 unanswered points on their final four possessions of the first half to assume a 35-13 lead at halftime. CSM senior running back Jared Thompson (Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield) scored on a 10-yard run and also found the end zone on a 25-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) during the stretch. Friehauf added a 5-yard scoring run and sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) registered his first career touchdown on a 40-yard fumble recovery during the run.

Mines (4-1, 1-1 RMAC) extended its lead to 42-13 with 10:41 remaining in the game as Friehauf hit redshirt freshman Cole Henderson (Swink, Colo./Swink) for a 5-yard touchdown strike. The Tigers added a pair of touchdowns late in the game to provide the final margin.

For the Orediggers, Jackson and Friehauf combined to complete 23-of-32 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) caught four passes for 83 yards, while Van Horn hauled in five passes for 61 yards and a score. The Oredigger defense was led by sophomore linebacker Gabe Florio (Glendale, Ariz./Deer Valley) who registered a career and game-high 12 tackles, while Leger posted 10 tackles on the afternoon.

The Tigers were led on offense by Lewis who toted the ball 20 times for 105 yards and a score, while Dustin Demel completed 14-of-29 passes for 136 yards. Andre Freeman produced game-highs in catches (8) and receiving yards (117). Landon Johnson led the Tiger defense with eight tackles and one interception.

“It was an all-around great effort by both the offense and the defense today,” Mines Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “The defense did well to keep Fort Hays out of the end zone and the offense took great care of the ball, which was one of the major keys to us winning the game.”

The Orediggers will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Nebraska-Kearney for a game at 1:00 pm.

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MINES FOOTBALL FALLS TO CHADRON, 35-21

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped its first game of the season as Chadron State handed the Orediggers a 35-21 setback at Brooks Field on Saturday afternoon in RMAC football action.

The Eagles (3-1, 2-0) jumped out to a 21-0 lead 11 minutes into the first quarter. Quarterback Shawn Eisenreich hooked up with Gregg Trepka from 8-yards out to open the scoring with 9:40 left. Austin Forster added a 7-yard touchdown run and Amos Davis a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown to provide Chadron its 21-0 lead with 4:07 left in the first quarter.

Mines (3-1, 0-1) responded with a pair of scores to end the first quarter trailing 21-14. Senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) opened the Oredigger’s scoring with a 20-yard touchdown reception from sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush). Following an interception by CSM sophomore Brandon Carerra (Craig, Colo./Moffat County) deep in Eagle territory, Friehauf connected with sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) from 13-yards out to slice the Oredigger deficit to 21-14.

Each team tacked on one second quarter touchdown, as Eisenreich hit Anthony Hughes for a 14-yard touchdown to extend the Eagle lead to 28-14. Friehauf tossed his third touchdown of the half, and his second to Sump, with 9:12 left in the first half to cut the Eagle advantage to 28-21 and it stayed that way until halftime.

The Eagles scored the lone touchdown of the second half on the opening possession of the third quarter as Eisenreich plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out. The drive took 13 plays, went for 70 yards and consumed 7:27.

CSM was led by Friehauf who completed 29-of-41 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Sump concluded the game with nine catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Chan caught eight balls for 61 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles, while senior defensive end Casey Kraft (Evergreen, Colo./Evergreen) added four tackles and two sacks.

For the Eagles, Eisenreich finished 20-of-32 for 216 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. Forster toted the ball 29 times for 169 yards and a touchdown, while Mike Wahlstrom caught seven passes for 106 yards. Marvin Jackson led the Eagle defense with five tackles and three interceptions.

“We wanted to accomplish two things today,” CSM Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “Number one, we wanted to win the game and number two we wanted to show that we can compete with any team on our schedule. “It’s tough to win a game against a team of their caliber when you spot them 21 points in the first 11 minutes. But I was extremely proud of the kids because they continued to compete and got us back in the game.”

The Orediggers will be back in action next Saturday when they host Fort Hays State at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field.

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MINES FOOTBALL IMPROVES TO 3-0 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1963
WITH 34-10 VICTORY AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO

SILVER CITY, N.M. - Colorado School of Mines senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) caught eight passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Orediggers to a 34-10 victory at Western New Mexico in a non-conference football game on Saturday afternoon. Sump’s 233 receiving yards were just 11 short of the school record set by Dayven Johnston in last year’s 52-45 overtime victory at Fort Hays.

With the victory, CSM improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 1963 season when that squad opened the season with four consecutive victories.

The Orediggers jumped out to a 13-0 lead midway through the first quarter as senior qurterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Blue Ridge) hit sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) for a 48 yard touchdown and also connected with Sump on a 77 yard scoring strike.

The Mustangs (2-2) responded with 10 second quarter points to cut their deficit to 13-10 at halftime. Richard Angulo caught a 23 yard touchdown pass from Marques Reischl less than one minute into the second quarter and Ramsey Yamini added a 20 yard field goal with 10:03 left in the second quarter for Western New Mexico.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Orediggers broke the game open with 21 fourth quarter points, highlighted by two touchdown receptions from Sump. Mines began its scoring run just nine seconds into the final quarter as backup sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) hooked up with Sump on a 62 yard touchdown. On the ensuing possession, CSM sophomore cornerback Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) intercepted his third pass of the season and took it 93 yards for a touchdown to extend the Oredigger lead to 27-10. Friehauf again hooked up with Sump, this time from 39 yards out, to conclude the scoring with 9:18 remaining in the contest.

Jackson and Friehauf each completed 9-of-15 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. Jackson threw for 182 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter, while Friehauf threw for 198 yards. Chan concluded the game with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Derek Lis (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) hauled in four catches for 28 yards. The Oredigger defense, which has allowed just 17 points in three games this season, was led by senior free safety Matt Oliver (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) and redshirt freshman linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) who each tallied a game-high nine tackles. Sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) contributed six tackles and also intercepted two passes.

Reischel finished the day by completing 21-of-50 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, while Billy Varner caught seven passes for 106 yards. Scott Fish led the Mustang defense with eight tackles.

“Our defense came up big for us again,” CSM Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “They kept us in the game and were determined not to let them into the endzone. And Brian [Sump] was able to catch some passes and make things happen for us today.”

Mines will be back in action next Saturday when it opens its RMAC schedule with a 1:00 pm game against Chadron State at Brooks Field.

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CSM FOOTBALL KNOCKS OFF SOUTH DAKOTA TECH, 49-7

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Lakeside) threw a 99-yard touchdown pass and sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush) added a 97-yard touchdown strike as the Orediggers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 49-7 victory over South Dakota Tech in football action at Brooks Field on Saturday afternoon.

CSM jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its first possession by marching 72 yards in four plays. Jackson capped the drive with a 17-yard scoring run just two minutes into the game. Following an Oredigger fumble at the three-yard line on its next possession, the Hardrockers scored their lone touchdown of the game as Chris Dougherty plunged into the end zone from two yards out to tie the score at 7-7.

The Orediggers regained a seven point lead with 3:35 left in the first quarter as Jackson hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) from 15-yards out. CSM added a pair of second quarter scores, a 15-yard run by senior running back Jared Thompson (Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield) and a 31-yard pass from Jackson to senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson), to claim a 28-7 halftime lead.

After CSM stopped the Hardrockers on three plays to open the third quarter, Sump extended the Oredigger advantage to 35-7 with a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown. CSM then executed the two longest pass plays in school history to conclude the scoring. Jackson hit Chan on a fly near the 25-yard line and Chan outran the Hardrocker defense for the 99-yard touchdown reception with 9:22 left in the third quarter.

Following a Hardrocker punt that pinned CSM at its own three-yard line to open the fourth quarter, Friehauf hit sophomore wide receiver Andrew Schmid (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) on a slant and, like Chan, Schmid outran the Tech defense for a 97-yard touchdwon catch.

The Orediggers outgained Tech, 535-170. Jackson finished the game 13-of-17 for 308 yards and three touchdowns, while Chan caught three passes for 136 yards and two scores. Sophomore strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) led the Digger defense with nine tackles.

Tech (0-1) was led by Tyler Farella who ran 20 times for 59 yards, while Adam Geis added a game-high 11 tackles.

“I was extremely happy with the win and the performance of both the offense and the defense today,” CSM Head Coach Bob Stitt said. “It’s nice to have the defense playing so well that we are able to rely on them for excellent field position. We are getting much closer to becoming a complete team.”

Following a week off, the Orediggers will return to action on September 21, when they travel to Western New Mexico for a game at 1:00 pm.

“It’s nice to have the week off to be able to get some guys healthy,’ Stitt said. “We have four starters on the offensive line out, but we’re hoping to get them back in the next few weeks.”

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MINES FOOTBALL TOPS PANHANDLE STATE, 14-0

GOODWELLl, Okla. - The Colorado School of Mines football team opened the 2002 season with a 14-0 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday afternoon.

After three scoreless quarters to open the game, the Orediggers (1-0) scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to seal the victory. CSM jumped on the board with its first touchdown with 14:07 left in the fourth quarter as senior quarterback Nate Jackson (Lakeside, Ariz./Blue Ridge) hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Andrew Schmid (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) from 2-yards out. Senior kicker Josh Hodsdon (Denver, Colo./South) converted the extra point to give the Orediggers a 7-0 lead. The duo of Jackson and Schmid hooked up again with 4:52 left, this time from 6-yards out, to extend the CSM lead to 13-0. Hodsdon again converted the extra point to provide the final 14-0 outcome.

Jackson finished the game 20-of-30 for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Brian Sump (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson) caught eight passes for 84 yards. Schmid finished the game with three catches for 16 yards and the two scores. The Orediggers rushed 29 times for 224 yards and were led by sophomore Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) who toted the ball 13 times for 107 yards. The Mines defense was led by sophomore strong saftey Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) who totaled 10 tackles, including two sacks.

The Aggies (0-1) were led offensively by quarterback Ty Sellers, who rushed 27 times for 120 yards and completed 8-of-11 passes for 68 yards. Bennie Claiborn posted nine tackles to lead the Aggie defense.

The Orediggers will return to action when they host South Dakota Tech next Saturday at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field.