The second Bob Stitt Era at Colorado School of Mines just hit its first speed bump.
After coming all the way back from a 17-point first-quarter hole, the Orediggers couldn’t close the deal in their RMAC football opener, falling 34-28 to Chadron State on Saturday at Marv Kay Stadium.
Chadron State scored 17 apiece in the first and fourth quarters to drop Mines to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in RMAC play in Coach Stitt’s first season back leading the program.
Mines rattled off 20 straight points between the second quarter and opening minute of the fourth, with Landon Walker’s 4-yard touchdown giving the Orediggers their first and only lead of the game, 20-17, with 14:24 left. But Chadron State (2-2, 2-0 RMAC) answered with back-to-back Aidan Thompson touchdown passes to take a 31-20 lead with 6:05 to go.
Sean Gilbert’s 85-yard scoop-and-score fumble return gave the Orediggers life with 4:18 remaining, and the Mines defense held the Eagles to a field goal on the next possession. But the Orediggers’ last-ditch drive with 59 seconds to go fizzled out.
The Orediggers were still without top receiver Flynn Schiele, who hasn’t played since sustaining an injury in Week 1. Walker led Mines with 112 yards rushing and a TD, while Tyson Mauck caught his first career score and Preston Kyle drilled two field goals. QB Joseph Capra completed 18 of 31 passes for 129 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Mines next travels to Black Hills State next Saturday.
RMAC football
Saturday’s scores
CSU Pueblo 31, Colorado Mesa 24
New Mexico Highlands 48, South Dakota Mines 42
Black Hills State 25, Fort Lewis 19
Western Colorado at Adams State University, 6 p.m.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.