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CSM FOOTBALL TOPS ADAMS STATE, 42-27

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team clinched its school-record sixth consecutive winning season with a 42-27 win over Adams State in the 2005 season finale in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

The program has had a streak of six straight nonlosing seasons and a streak of seven nonlosing seasons back in the early 1900's, but the streaks included teams with .500 records.

CSM finishes the season at 6-5 overall and tied for second place in the conference at 6-2.

Adams State (6-5, 5-3 RMAC) took a 7-0 lead with 9:31 to play in the first quarter when Marcus Sias found paydirt from 1-yard out. However, the Orediggers gained a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter as junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) scored on a 21-yard scamper and caught a 33-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) on a fourth down play.

CSM extended its lead to 21-7 as Medina hooked up with sophomore wideout Michael Curl (Houston, Texas/Blinn JC) with 4:59 to play in the first half, but ASC quarterback Scott Coxon scored on a 5-yard draw play with five seconds to play in the half. The extra point was blocked and the Orediggers led at the half, 21-13.

A 2-yard scoring run by Tyree Walton and a two-point conversion knotted the game at 21-21 just four minutes into the second half. The Orediggers struck again at the 4:52 mark of the third quarter as junior wide receiver Brent Chacon (Greeley, Colo./Valley) caught a 25-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete).

The Grizzlies were once again poised to tie the game at 28-28 after Coxon scored from 1-yard out with 10:24 to play in the game, but CSM once again blocked the extra point attempt by Wayne Durham.

CSM went on to score 14 more points as Mehl hooked up with junior wide receiver Derek Dykstra (Seibert, Colo./Hi Plains) for a 36-yard touchdown and scored on a quarterback keeper from 6-yards out with 26 seconds to play.

Mehl and Medina combined to go 15-of-29 for 249 yards and four touchdowns. Florendo ran 21 times for 104 yards and a touchdown and also caught five balls for 57 yards and a score, while senior wideout Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) caught six passes for 105 yards.

Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) led the defense with a game-high 14 stops, while sophomore defensive end Marin Richardson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Mitchell) produced seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Coxon went 28-of-44 for 384 yards and also ran 12 times for 39 yards and two scores, while Gene Mejia caught eight passes for 151 yards. George Holley led ASC with nine tackles.

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CSM FOOTBALL FALLS AT MESA STATE, 21-14

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped a 21-14 decision at Mesa State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Stocker Stadium.

Mesa State running back Bobby Coy scored on touchdown runs of 62 and 2 yards to give the Mavericks a 14-0 lead just five seconds into the second quarter. However, CSM junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) found paydirt from 1-yard out with 8:40 to play in the first half to slice the lead to 14-7 at the half.

MSC regained a 14 point lead (21-7) as Drew Bohannan caught a 25-yard scoring strike from Sean McGraw six minutes into the second half. CSM was able to cut the lead to 21-14 with 3:28 to play in the game when senior wideout Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete).

But the Mavericks took the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock to improve to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the RMAC. The loss puts CSM at 5-5 (5-2 RMAC).

Mehl finished 19-of-30 for 205 yards, one touchdown and three picks and also ran 11 times for 109 yards. Gallas caught a career best 13 passes for 110 yards and a score, while Florendo ran 24 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) led the defense, which allowed just 241 yards to Mesa State, with nine tackles.

Coy finished with 129 yards and two scores on 23 carries, while McGraw was 9-of-13 for 91 yards and a score. Bohannan caught six balls for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Brandan Charles led the Maverick defense with a game high 10 tackles.

CSM will conclude its season next Saturday when it hosts Adams State at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field. A win would give the Orediggers their fifth consecutive winning season which would be a first in program history.

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CSM FOOTBALL WINS AT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS, 45-37

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The Colorado School of Mines football team picked up a 45-37 victory over New Mexico Highlands in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Perkins Field and improved to 5-4 overall and 5-1 in the RMAC.

The win also enabled CSM to climb into a first place tie with Nebraska-Kearney in the conference after the Lopers were dealt a 28-22 loss by Fort Lewis earlier today. UNK now stands at 7-2 overall (5-1 RMAC), while Fort Lewis is 5-3 overall (5-2 RMAC).

CSM trailed 10-0 after the first quarter, but outscored NMHU, 28-7, in the second period to take a 28-17 halftime lead.

Junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) did most of the damage as he scored three rushing touchdowns in the quarter from 26, 47 and 2 yards. He also threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn).

The teams traded two touchdowns apiece in the third quarter with CSM junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete) throwing a 68-yard scoring strike to sophomore wide receiver Michael Curl (Houston, Texas/Blinn JC) and running in for a 2-yard touchdown. Sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East) booted a 44-yard field goal with 35 seconds left to give CSM the final margin of victory.

Florendo ran 20 times for 140 yards, while Curl caught three passes for 91 yards and a score. Mehl finished 11-of-18 for 152 yards and a touchdown and also ran 15 times for 76 yards and a score.

Junior linebacker Danny Sprague (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge) led the defense with a game-best 15 tackles, including one for loss, while senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) posted 13 tackles and forced a fumble.

NMHU (1-8, 0-6 RMAC) was led by Ronnie Simpson who completed 17-of-32 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns and also ran 19 times for 80 yards. Ikaika Neizman caught seven balls for 133 yards and two scores, while Brian Trujillo led the Cowboy defense with 10 stops.

CSM will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Mesa State for a 1:00 pm kickoff. It will be the final regular season road game for the Orediggers.

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CSM FOOTBALL HOLDS OFF FORT LEWIS, 42-41

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team improved to 4-4 overall (4-1 RMAC) as it held off a furious fourth quarter comeback by Fort Lewis. The Orediggers defeated the Skyhawks, 42-41, on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

CSM took a 42-20 lead with 7:04 to go in the game when senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) hit junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) for a 55-yard touchdown strike.

However, the Skyhawks would go on to score 21 unanswered points to end the game and pulled to within 42-41 with 27 seconds to play when Matt Weaver caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Matt Gutierrez. However, Mikael Bjork missed the extra point and CSM recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Medina finished 23-of-30 for 321 yards and one touchdown and also ran for two scores and caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Florendo, who ran 16 times for 43 yards and a score and caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Senior wideout Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) had another monster day as he caught nine passes for 133 yards and also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. In the process, Gallas became the all-time leader in receiving yards at CSM (3,304) breaking the old mark of 3,302 set by Jonny Chan.

The Oredigger defense, which produced five sacks, was led by junior linebacker Luke Salmans (Hanston, Kan./Hanston) who recorded a team-best 10 tackles. Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) tallied eight stops, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble.

Gutierrez completed 19-of-32 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns and also ran 23 times for 132 yards. Kris Ducy was the top receiver with five catches for 135 yards and two scores, while Richard Johnson produced a game-best 14 tackles.

CSM is slated to return to action next Saturday when it travels to New Mexico Highlands for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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CSM FOOTBALL FALLS TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 35-24

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team lost its first conference game in almost two years as Nebraska-Kearney handed the Orediggers a 35-24 setback in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

UNK (6-1, 4-0 RMAC) took a 6-0 lead eight minutes into the game as it marched 97 yards in 10 plays. Marcus Goldenstein hooked up with Richie Ross for a 4-yard touchdown pass, but the extra point was no good.

CSM took a 14-6 lead less than four minutes later when senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) hooked up on a 68-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) and a 30-yard TD to sophomore wideout Michael Curl (Houston, Texas/Blinn JC).

However, the Lopers added a pair of scores in the third quarter to take a 21-14 lead at the half. Goldenstein found paydirt from 1-yard out five seconds into the quarter and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rupp with 5:03 to play in the first half.

CSM sliced the deficit to 21-17 on a 19-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East), but UNK regained an 11-point lead (28-17) on a 73-yard scoring strike from Goldenstein to Rupp.

UNK running back Jake Richards found paydirt from 12 yards out with 8:11 to play in the game to extend the lead to 35-17. Medina hooked up with senior wide receiver Andrew Schmid (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) for a 5-yard touchdown pass late in the game to provide the final margin.

Medina finished 25-of-45 for 353 yards and three scores. Gallas had three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Curl hauled in five balls for 100 yards and a touchdown. Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) posted 12 tackles, while junior linebacker Danny Sprague (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge) posted nine.

Goldenstein went 27-of-41 for 314 yards and three scores, while Rupp caught 10 passes for 173 yards. Jared Goodwin tied Heath for game-high honors with 12 stops.

CSM is slated to return to action next Saturday when it hosts Fort Lewis at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field in the annual Homecoming Game.

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CSM FOOTBALL DEFEATS FORT HAYS STATE, 46-10

HAYS, Kan. - The Colorado School of Mines football team moved back to .500 overall and stayed perfect in conference play with a 46-10 win at Fort Hays State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Lewis Field Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The win moves CSM to 3-3 overall and 3-0 in the RMAC, while the Tigers slip to 2-4 (2-2 RMAC).

CSM raced out to a 33-7 halftime lead behind a pair of touchdown runs (9 and 1 yards) from junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) and a pair of touchdown passes from senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) to senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn). The scores went for 37 and 5 yards.

Sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East) added second quarter field goals from 33 and 20 yards out and also kicked a 29 yarder in the third stanza and a 27 yarder in the final quarter.

Florendo added a third scoring run from 48 yards out in the fourth quarter. He finished with 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Medina went 24-of-33 for 353 yards and two scores, while Gallas caught 10 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

CSM senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) posted a team-high eight tackles and also recovered a fumble, while senior cornerback Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) notched his second interception in as many weeks. The Oredigger defense also produced five sacks, including two from senior defensive lineman Caleb Ring (Brighton, Colo./Brighton).

FHSU was led by quarterback Reed Gottula who went 24-of-39 for 257 yards and also ran for 12 yards and a touchdown.

CSM returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field. The Lopers will enter the game at 5-1 overall and the only other undefeated team in the RMAC at 3-0. UNK handed Adams State at 61-24 loss in Kearney, Neb., this afternoon.

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CSM FOOTBALL WINS AT CHADRON STATE, 27-26, ON
AARON ABEL'S LAST SECOND FIELD GOAL

Aaron Abel

CHADRON, Neb. - Colorado School of Mines sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East) connected on a 24-yard field goal with three seconds to play lifting the Orediggers to a 27-26 victory over Chadron State at Elliott Field in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.

It is the second straight year CSM has topped the Eagles by one point and the second time in as many years that the Orediggers rallied for a victory in the final 30 seconds.

It is the first time since 1966-67 that CSM has knocked off CSC in back-to-back years and the first time since 1993 that the Orediggers have won in Chadron.

Chadron State (1-4, 1-2 RMAC) took a 26-24 lead with 1:12 to play in the game when Danny Woodhead scored on a 3-yard run. CSM blocked the extra point attempt.

However, the Orediggers marched downfield and got all the way to the CSC 7-yard line when senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) scampered 23-yards to the 14-yardline. A personal foul on the Eagles moved the ball to the 7-yardline and Abel was good on the game-winning field goal.

CSM (2-3, 2-0 RMAC) gained a 24-10 lead at the half as Medina threw two touchdown passes. Junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) also scored on a 55-yard run, while Abel hit a career-long 45-yard field goal in the first half.

The Eagles cut the lead to 24-20 at the end of the third quarter and gained their first lead of the game on Woodhead's score.

Medina and Mehl combined to go 20-of-30 for 165 yards and two touchdowns, while Florendo ran 21 times for a career-best 171 yards and a touchdown. Junior linebacker Danny Sprague (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge) posted a team-high 10 tackles, while senior cornerback Grant Newton (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County) was in on eight stops and added an interception.

Woodhead ran 34 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles, while Tyler Hidrogo completed 20-of-34 passes for 248 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Paul Schweger posted a game-high 15 tackles.

CSM will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Fort Hays State for a 1:00 pm kickoff. The Tigers knocked off Adams State, 18-15, earlier today.

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CSM FOOTBALL'S RALLY FALLS SHORT;
DROPS 44-41 OVERTIME DECISION TO SOUTH DAKOTA

GOLDEN, Colo. - Sixteenth-ranked South Dakota raced out to a 26-3 lead after the first quarter and held on for a dramatic 44-41 overtime victory over Colorado School of Mines in nonconference football action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field on Frank Leibfrath's game-winning 33-yard field goal.

CSM (1-3, 1-0 RMAC) trailed 41-13 with 4:08 to go in the third quarter after Brooks Little hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wes Beschorner.

However, the Orediggers went on to score 28 unanswered points in the final stanza to send the game into overtime. Junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns on 1-yard runs and also caught a 69-yard pass from senior quarterback Danny Medina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South).

However, the biggest score came on the final play of regulation when Medina hooked up with senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) for a 27-yard "Hail Mary".

Gallas finished with 10 catches for 116 yards and a score, while Florendo had five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown and 15 carries for 29 yards and three scores. Medina went 17-of-22 for 242 yards and two scores in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) posted a school-record 20 tackles, while junior free safety Tim Miller (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) and sophomore cornerback Ryan Lavergne (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield) each recorded 10 stops.

Beschorner went 20-of-28 for 302 yards and four touchdowns, while Derek Gearman caught five balls for 151 yards and a score. Stefan Logan ran 22 times for 124 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Davis and Ricardo Sorrell each tallied seven tackles for the Coyotes (4-0).

CSM will return to action on Saturday when it travels to Chadron State for a 1:00 pm kickoff.

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CSM FOOTBALL TOPS WESTERN STATE, 45-13

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete) completed 23-of-33 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns and ran 16 times for 114 yards and three more scores to lead the Orediggers to a 45-13 victory over Western State in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

CSM (1-2, 1-0 RMAC) raced out to a 28-7 halftime lead as Mehl threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman running back Corey Huck (Superior, Colo./Monarch) and a 49-yard scoring strike to junior wide receiver Derek Dykstra (Seibert, Colo./Hi Plains) in the first quarter. Mehl added scoring runs of one and three yards in the second stanza.

WSC (0-3, 0-1 RMAC) tallied its score with nine seconds to play in the half when Jordan Gage picked off a Mehl pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.

However, Mehl added a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter and hooked up with senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) for a 57-yard touchdown in the third quarter to extend the CSM lead to 42-7 midway through the quarter.

Following a Mountaineer score late in the third quarter, CSM sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East) connected on a career-long 43-yard field goal five minutes into the fourth quarter to provide the final margin. Abel was also a perfect 6-of-6 on extra points.

Gallas finished with six catches for 107 yards and a score, while Dykstra hauled in four balls for 102 yards and a touchdown and sophomore wide receiver Michael Curl (Houston, Texas/Blinn JC) tallied six catches for 94 yards.

The Oredigger defense, which held WSC to just 291 yards of offense, was led by senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) who posted eight tackles and a sack. Senior defensive lineman Mark Donnelly (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) amassed five stops, including two for losses.

WSC quarterback Daniel Brethauer completed 18-of-41 passes for 255 yards and a score, while JR Finley caught six passes for 91 yards. Brendan Zink notched a game-best eight tackles.

CSM will return to action on Saturday afternoon when it hosts South Dakota at 1:00 pm at Brooks Field. It will be the final nonconference game of the season for Mines.

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CSM FOOTBALL FALLS AT NORTHERN COLORADO, 52-31

GREELEY, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped to 0-2 this season with a 52-31 setback at Division I-AA Northern Colorado Saturday afternoon in nonconference action at Nottingham Field.

UNC, which led 24-10 at the half, tacked on two touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters to claim the win.

CSM senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) finished the day with 11 catches for 128 yards. He now has 198 career catches breaking the all-time CSM record. The previous mark was 197 held by Jonny Chan (2000-04).

Junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete) went 37-of-54 for 395 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) ran 12 times for 50 yards and also scored two times.

Senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) led the CSM defense with 11 tackles, including two for losses.

UNC (1-0) was led on offense by Nick Hager who completed 12-of-20 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Cory Sleeth hauled in seven of the passes for 231 yards and three scores, while Andre Wilson ran 21 times for 159 yards.

Jake Duren tied Heath for game-high honors with 11 stops.

CSM will return to action on Saturday afternoon when it opens the RMAC portion of its schedule with a 1:00 pm game against Western State at Brooks Field.

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CSM FOOTBALL DROPS SEASON OPENER, 28-17, TO WASHBURN

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines football team dropped its 2005 season opener, 28-17, to Washburn University in nonconference action Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Washburn (1-0) raced out to a 21-3 lead at the half thanks to three touchdown passes from Jordan Brill to San Sissom. The first score came 27 seconds into the game and covered 62 yards. Less than five minutes later, Brill hooked up Sissom for an 82-yard scoring strike to put the Ichabods up 14-0.

After Washburn stopped CSM on a fourth and goal at the 3-yard line with 4:20 left in the first half, Brill marched the Ichabods on a seven play, 97 yard drive that was capped with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sissom with 29 seconds to play in the first half.

CSM sophomore kicker Aaron Abel (Cheyenne, Wyo./East) cut the lead to 21-3 at the half with a 38-yard field goal just before the end of the half.

The Orediggers cut the lead to 21-10 with 11:54 to play in the third quarter as junior quarterback Garrett Mehl (Crete, Neb./Crete) threw a 6-yard scoring pass to redshirt freshman running back Corey Huck (Superior, Colo./Monarch) on the opening drive of the half.

However, Washburn responded three minutes later when Trent Hearn plunged into the end zone from five yards out to extend the lead to 28-10.

CSM got the final score of the game with 6:46 to play in the game when Mehl hooked up with senior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) from seven yards out on a fourth down play.

Mehl finished 29-of-45 for 281 yards and two scores and ran 16 times for 37 yards. Gallas finished with 12 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Bryan Florendo (Crete, Neb./Crete) caught 10 balls for 86 yards and ran 10 times for 34 yards.

The CSM defense was led by senior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) who posted 11 tackles, including three for losses, two sacks. He also forced a fumble. Senior cornerback Nick Gilbreath (Mead, Colo./Roosevelt) tallied seven tackles, two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Brill finished 14-of-25 for 348 yards and three scores, all to Sissom, who caught seven passes for 231 yards. Hearn finished with 21 carries for 106 yards and a score. Grant Gould led the WU defense, which produced five turnovers, with 12 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

CSM will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Division I-AA Northern Colorado for a 3:00 pm start. Kickoff was pushed back from its original 1:00 pm start to accomodate Altitude Sports which will broadcast the game live.

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