2002 Colorado School of Mines Football
(2-0 Overall, 0-0 RMAC)
Week #3 Notes - at Western New Mexico (2-1)

THE HEAD COACHES: Bob Stitt (Doane College ‘86) is in his third season at the helm of the Oredigger football program. He claims an overall record of 11-12, including a 5-11 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. A year ago, Stitt coached CSM to a 7-4 mark, which marked the most wins for a football team at Mines since 1958 and the first winning season in Golden since 1991. Western New Mexico is led by Charlie Wade.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Western New Mexico leads the all-time series with the Orediggers, 12-9, however, CSM handed the Mustangs a 62-28 loss in the 2001 season finale.

NEXT WEEK: The Orediggers will return to Golden, Colo., to open the RMAC portion of its schedule with a 1:00 pm game against Chadron State.

LAST TIME OUT (9/7/02): Colorado School of Mines senior quarterback Nate Jackson threw a 99-yard touchdown pass and sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf 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. 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 and added a pair of second quarter scores 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. 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 led the defense with nine tackles.

EASY AS 1, 2, .....: Over the last five years, the Orediggers have had two chances to open the season with three straight wins. However, CSM was defeated in its third game of the 2001 season and tied its third game of the 1997 season. On Saturday, the Orediggers will be out to win its first three games of the season for the first time since the 1963 season.

TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE: Senior wide receiver/kick returner Brian Sump recorded his sixth career touchdown off a return with a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown in the victory over South Dakota Tech. He now has five career kickoff returns for touchdowns and one career touchdown off a punt return.

LONG AND LONGER: The Orediggers executed the two longest plays in school history in the 49-7 victory over South Dakota Tech on September 7. Senior quarterback Nate Jackson tied an NCAA record when he connected with sophomore Jonny Chan for a 99-yard touchdown pass. Not to be outdone, backup sophomore quarterback Chad Friehauf threw a 97-yard touchdown strike to sophomore Andrew Schmid.

OH SO CLOSE: After shutting out Oklahoma Panhandle in the season opener, the defense allowed just seven points to South Dakota Tech, missing back to back shutouts for the first time since 1958. The Tech touchdown came after a CSM fumble on its own three-yard line. Last week, CSM was ranked 30th in Division II in total defense, including fourth in scoring defense. After surrendering more than 480 yards of total offense and 35 points per game last season, the Oredigger defense has been impressive in the first two contests of the season. Through two games, the Digger “D” is allowing just 238 yards of total offense per game, including just 95 passing yards per game.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior quarterback Nate Jackson was honored as the RMAC Player of the Week on September 9 for his performance in CSM’s 49-7 victory over South Dakota Tech. Jackson completed 13-of-17 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns against the Hardrocker’s and his final touchdown pass was a 99-yarder to sophomore wide receiver Jonny Chan, which tied an NCAA record. In addition, Jackson threw touchdown passes of 15 and 31 yards and added a scoring run of 17 yards. Through two games, Jackson has led the Orediggers offense to 927 yards of total offense.

IT’S BEEN AWHILE: The CSM football team has not compiled back-to-back winning seasons in more than 25 years. In fact, the last time it happened was 1975 and 1976. The 1975 squad posted a 6-4 record and the 1976 team followed with a 5-4 record. Head Coach Bob Stitt and his unit will be out to follow last year’s 7-4 record with another winning season and post CSM’s first consecutive winning seasons in 26 years.

SCOUTING WESTERN NEW MEXICO: The Mustangs enter the week at 2-1 overall following a 45-23 victory over Sul Ross in which Roberto Muro ran for 213 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns. For the season, Damien Ocampo has completed 51-of-94 passes for 875 yards and seven touchdowns, while Wes James has caught 12 passes for a team-best 263 yards. WNM is averaging almost 440 yards of total offense per game through three games. The defense is led by Chuck Leonardis who leads the squad in tackles (27), tackles for loss (8) and sacks (4).