Mines Defense Sets the Tone in 34-3 Win Over Fort Lewis.
GOLDEN, Colo. — Colorado School of Mines delivered its most complete performance of the season Saturday, using a suffocating defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to defeat Fort Lewis 34-3 at Marv Kay Stadium. The victory moved the Orediggers to 1-2-1 overall and 1-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while Fort Lewis fell to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in league action. Mines controlled the game from the opening quarter, limiting the Skyhawks to just 188 total yards. Fort Lewis struggled to establish anything on the ground, finishing with minus-27 net rushing yards. The Orediggers also forced three turnovers and recorded five sacks, all coming after halftime. Parker Johnson provided one of the biggest defensive plays of the afternoon when he intercepted a Fort Lewis pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The defensive score pushed Mines' advantage to 27-0 and helped put the game firmly out of reach. Joseph Capra directed the Mines offense before giving way after three quarters. The quarterback completed 16 of 22 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns while also contributing 55 rushing yards. The passing attack was particularly effective, with Aksel Richard turning in a career performance. Richard finished with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown, including a 65-yard scoring reception in the third quarter. Capra also connected with Jake Willis on a 27-yard touchdown during the first quarter before finding Tyson Mauck for a nine-yard score in the second. Mines' rushing attack produced its strongest showing of the season, totaling 218 yards. Braelon Tate led the way with 86 yards, while Max Barnes added 62. The Orediggers opened the scoring with Preston Kyle's 45-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Kyle added another field goal from 37 yards early in the second half.
Fort Lewis was unable to find the end zone throughout most of the afternoon. The Skyhawks finally got on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter when Lucas Schmitten connected on a 44-yard field goal. Mines' defensive pressure continued to build as the game progressed. Eli Krawczuk, Christian Peluse, Davis Perkins, David Baba, Aaron Gall and Joey Beckner each recorded a sack. Krawczuk also forced a fumble on a strip sack that was recovered by Brady Zingelmann. Jackson Harmon added another interception for the Orediggers, giving the defense multiple takeaways in the victory. Jack Mills paced Mines with eight tackles. Saturday's game began 45 minutes late because of a passing thunderstorm during warmups, but the weather cleared and the teams played the remainder of the contest under sunny skies. Richard's 150-yard receiving performance made him the third Mines receiver this season to surpass 100 receiving yards, joining Pierce Richards and Nick Stone.
The victory also extended Mines' dominance in the series. The Orediggers have now defeated Fort Lewis in 19 consecutive meetings. Mines will return to action Sept. 26 when the Orediggers travel to face Chadron State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
