Mines moves to 60 with defense

MINES 44, WSC 16

GUNNISON» Colorado School of Mines totaled six sacks in a dominating defensive performance Saturday, defeating Western State Colorado 4416 at the Mountaineer Bowl.

The NCAA Division II 12thranked Orediggers (60, 60 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) held the Mountaineers (06, 05) to only 53 yards rushing and 247 yards total offense.

Senior defensive end Matthew King and sophomore linebacker RJ Phillips each had two sacks for Mines, and junior linebacker James Kohlschmidt had an interception.

Senior quarterback Isaac Harker threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns, senior wide receiver Riley Hoff caught 10 passes for 125 yards and two TDS, and junior running back Cameron Mayberry rushed for 115 yards and a score.

Mines got on the scoreboard first on a 12yard touchdown pass from Harker to junior wide receiver Ryan Manning, a Mullen High School alumnus. Then Western State scored on a rare play on the Mines extra point. Sophomore defensive lineman Will Lydle blocked the kick, and senior defensive back David Velasquez ran it back 98 yards for two points.

Sophomore Scott Marshall capped Mines’ next possession with a 24yard field goal, and senior running back Brandon Farmer’s 3yard touchdown run was followed by Hoff’s 27yard touchdown reception as the Orediggers took a 232 halftime lead.

Mines visits Fort Lewis next weekend. Western State next travels to St. George, Utah, for a game against Dixie State.