Western Extends Win Streak Over Hardrockers - Western Colorado University Athletics

Western Colorado Extends Series Dominance Over South Dakota Mines With 37-6 Victory

Sixth-ranked Western Colorado secured a comfortable 37-6 victory over South Dakota Mines at Mojo Field in Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex, according to a game report from gomountaineers.com. The win extends Western’s series lead against the Hardrockers to 7-3 overall since the matchup began in 2016, marking the Mountaineers’ fourth win in the series while scoring at least 34 points in each of those meetings.

The outcome pushes Western’s record to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while South Dakota Mines slips to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play. After a tight opening frame that yielded only a 3-0 Western lead, the hosts broke the game open with three unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter to build a commanding 24-0 halftime advantage.

Ground Game and Defense Control the Pace in Gunnison

The decisive second-quarter surge started quickly when quarterback Josiah Roy connected with Ramon Ruiz for a 56-yard touchdown pass on just the fourth play of the drive. Western later put together a methodical 91-yard possession consuming nearly seven minutes, capped by Roy’s 9-yard scoring pass to Caden Measner in the back corner of the end zone. Right before the break, Lamonte James added a 40-yard rushing touchdown with just 12 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Mountaineer defense stifled a South Dakota Mines rushing attack that entered the contest averaging 174 yards per contest, limiting the visitors to just 64 yards on the ground—their lowest single-game total of the season. The Hardrockers also struggled to sustain drives, converting only six of their 16 third-down attempts.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
South Dakota Mines	0	0	6	0	6
Western Colorado	3	21	6	7	37

Balanced Offense Keeps Mountaineers Unbeaten

Offensively, Western generated a balanced attack, accumulating 214 rushing yards and 267 passing yards while converting nine of 14 third-down tries. Damien Nevil led the backfield with 60 rushing yards on the afternoon, while James and Roy added 47 yards apiece. Through the air, Roy completed passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns, including a 15-yard scoring strike to DJ Allen Jr. in the third quarter. Damien Nevil later capped the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the final period.

Western Extends Win Streak Over Hardrockers - Western Colorado University Athletics

The win sets up the final stretch of the regular season for the Mountaineers.

Senior Day Looming Against Colorado School of Mines

Western will close out its 2026 home schedule by hosting the Colorado School of Mines for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 7, 2026, in Gunnison as the Mountaineers look to protect their undefeated record.