September 20th, 2025 9:00pm
GOLDEN, Colo. – Sparked by quarterback Aidan Thompson's two runs for 120 yards and three touchdown passes, the Chadron State College football team scored 17 points in the first quarter and 17 points in the fourth quarter while upsetting No. 23-ranked Colorado School of Mines 34-28 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game played in Golden Saturday afternoon.
It was the Eagles' first win over the Orediggers since 2012 and their first win over a ranked opponent since beating then-No. 14 Colorado Mesa 38-34 in 2018. It also was only the sixth time an RMAC team has defeated Mines, which has won seven RMAC championships in the last 10 seasons, in 57 games dating back to 2017 and only the seventh loss in 63 games at home for the Orediggers since the re-opening of Marv Kay Stadium in 2015.
With the Eagles' previous starter at quarterback, DJ Ralph, unable to clear concussion protocol, Oklahoma Baptist transfer Thompson made his first Chadron State start at quarterback and led a terrific all-around performance. Chadron State finished with 405 yards of offense and the defense limited the Orediggers to 302 net yards after Mines had averaged 477 yards in their first two games, both victories.
The Eagles, now 2-2, scored touchdowns on their first two possessions for the second game in a row. They earned first downs on four of their first five plays while going 73 yards with Thompson connecting with wide receiver Tommy Thomas with a 13-yard pass for the touchdown.
Next possession, Thompson initially looked to pass but took off running for a 73-yard rushing touchdown to net the second TD. On their third possession of the first quarter, the Eagles also added a 44-yard field goal by Wilson Yee with 38 seconds left in the opening period for their 17-0 lead.
Chadron State threatened to open it up farther early in the second period, but a red zone pass thrown by redshirt freshman Wyatt Sprague was intercepted by Mines safety Joe Gonzales in the end zone. Mines managed four quick first downs after the pass theft, but had to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Preston Lee.
The Orediggers cut the Eagles' lead to 17-10 with about four minutes left in the second quarter. A 30-yard pass from quarterback Joe Capra to Tyson Mauck was the big gainer and the same combination connected on a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Lee's 28-yard field goal provided the only points for either team in the third period. But a 26-yard run by Mines' Braelon Tate helped set up a four-yard touchdown run by tailback Landon Walker on the second play of the fourth period, putting Mines ahead 20-17.
The Eagles soon regained the lead with a 47-yard rushing burst from Thompson down to the Mines nine-yard line providing the impetus. Two plays later, Thompson threw a seven-yard scoring strike to Devon Sundgren. Yee's extra point put the Eagles ahead again, 24-20.
One of the game's most crucial moments soon followed. Mines had a fourth and one at midfield and gave the ball to Walker. But the Eagles' defense led by linebacker Logan O'Brien stopped the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior for no gain and the Eagles were back in business.