October 28th, 2023 4:25pm
GOLDEN, Colo. - In a battle of unbeatens, #1 Colorado School of Mines left zero doubt, blasting #9 Western Colorado 42-7 in the snow at Marv Kay Stadium.
The Orediggers (9-0, 7-0 RMAC) took control of the RMAC standings - and the probable regional #1 playoff seed - as they handed the Mountaineers (8-1, 6-1 RMAC) their first loss, outscoring the visitors 28-0 in the second half and fully controlling every aspect of the game.
John Matocha continued to make history as he became NCAA Division II's all-time leader in total touchdowns, passing for three in the game to surpass Shepherd's Tyson Bagent with 172. Max McLeod caught two of those scores, while Noah Roper led a dominant Mines ground game with two touchdowns of his own.
Against the RMAC's #1 defense, Mines rolled out 505 total yards, 266 rushing yards, and tripled Western's scoring defense average, with heavy second-half snow not slowing down the Orediggers.