CHADRON, Neb. – After returning the Eagle-Rock Trophy to Chadron with a win over South Dakota Mines, the Eagles will welcome in a top 10 opponent for the biggest home game in recent memory at Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium. 
 
Chadron State (7-2, 7-0 RMAC) is one of two remaining unbeatens in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with just two weeks to play and will face No. 11/9-ranked Western Colorado (8-1, 6-1 RMAC) this Saturday in CSC's final regular season home game, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
 
The last time CSC won seven RMAC contests was 2018, when they finished 7-3 for both the season and in the conference. Chadron State has not won seven conference games in a row since 2008, when the Eagles ran the table and finished a perfect 9-0 for the most recent of their eight RMAC championships. 
 
With a win Saturday, Chadron State would likely head to a de-facto RMAC championship game in the regular season finale on the road against No. 6/7 CSU Pueblo, (8-1, 7-0 RMAC), the RMAC's other remaining undefeated team after Pueblo rallied from a 14-point deficit to hand Western Colorado its first loss last week. 
 
Aside from the league title race, these games have significant impact as CSC seeks its first NCAA tournament berth since 2012. CSU Pueblo (No. 4), Western (No. 6) and Chadron State (No. 7) are all currently within the super region's top eight that qualify for the playoffs, but with one or more of those teams guaranteed to lose before season's end, the RMAC may not carry three teams through to the tourney.
 
As most CSC fans are privy to, Western Colorado is a team with plenty of connections to "The Rock," as the Mountaineers' head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators and starting running back all have deep Chadron ties. 
 
Chadron State has earned a national ranking for the first time this season, coming in at No. 22 in the D2Football.com media poll. Chadron State is receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll for the fifth consecutive week. The Eagles have growing support among poll voters, as they have gone from three votes in their first appearance in the rankings to seven, nine, 14 and 19 in the four latest editions.
 
Fans can watch live (with a subscription) on the RMAC Network, listen live on Double Q Country 97.5/105.9 FM or doubleqcountry.com with Dave Collins on the call, or monitor the Chadron State Eagles Facebook page or @cscfootball on X and Instagram for updates.
 
Promotional Notes
Beyond the significance of the game for the standings and rankings, Saturday will also be Senior Day at Elliott Field. There will be a pregame ceremony on the field starting at approximately 12:40 p.m. 
 
Additionally, it is Military Appreciation Day at the stadium. All military members who can provide a valid military ID will receive free admission to the game. The Nebraska Army National Guard will display vehicles near the south entrance of Beebe Stadium Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can explore the vehicles and meet National Guard members before the day's athletic events.
 
During halftime, there will be a Quilts of Valor presentation, with local war veterans being presented with handmade quilts. Chadron State will also be celebrating local heroes such as police, fire department and hospital/medical staff. 
 
Starting Friday, ALL fans can purchase discounted $5 tickets with promo code "CSC82." Use Chadron State's ticketing platform (chadroneagles.com/tickets) to purchase tickets as normal, then click the link titled "Have a passcode?" in the bottom left. Enter promo code "CSC82," and a new option to purchase the ticket at a discounted rate will unlock.
 
Tailgate Info
Make sure and get to the stadium early to tailgate with other Chadron State fans! The tailgating area outside the stadium opens at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., Chadron State players and coaches will move through the tailgate area as part of the pregame Eagle Walk. 
 
To purchase a tailgating spot for your vehicle, visit chadroneagles.com/tickets and select "Football Tailgating." A paid tailgating pass purchased in advance is REQUIRED for vehicle entry into the tailgating area. 
 
Now on Tap
New this season, as part of a pilot program approved by the Nebraska State College System, Chadron State will be introducing sales of alcoholic beverages in specific areas of Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium. 
 
STORY: CSC Announces Pilot Program For Alcohol Sales
 
At this time, the pilot program is only available for CSC's four home football games on September 13, September 27, October 11 and November 8. Alcohol sales will be limited to one area, the new "CSC Beer Garden," which will be in the southeast corner of the stadium, utilizing the old concession area. 
 
RMAC Network Reminder
As a reminder, RMAC Network games this season now require a pay-per-view subscription to watch. Revenue generated by the network will be redistributed to the league's membership to enhance their broadcast systems and programs.
 
NEWS: RMAC Network Moves To Pay-Per-View Model
 
RMAC fans can purchase monthly and annual subscriptions that will provide them access to all regular-season, championship, and archived broadcasts on the RMAC Network, including both home and away RMAC contests for Chadron State. A monthly subscription costs $25, and an annual subscription (for all sports) costs $130. Single-game passes are available for $10, which grants the viewer access to a single game for 24 hours. Subscriptions can be purchased through Hudl at rmacnetwork.com. 
 
Now that CSC has completed the non-conference portion of their schedule, all remaining football games in 2025 (home and away) will be on the RMAC Network and included in any monthly/annual subscription purchases.
 
Fans will technical support issues can contact Hudl, visit the RMAC email the RMAC Network FAQ page, or directly email the RMAC at rmac@rmacsports.org.
 
Looking Back
Chadron State won its seventh consecutive RMAC game with a 35-10 rivalry win over South Dakota Mines, reclaiming the Eagle-Rock Trophy after the Hardrockers won the game last season.  
 
RECAP: Eagle-Rock Trophy Returns to Chadron
 
The host Hardrockers had a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Eagles outscored them 28-0 the rest of the way. After putting up 136 yards of offense in the first quarter and 227 in the first half, Chadron State's vaunted defense held SDM to only 100 yards of total offense in the third and fourth quarters. 
 
Chadron State's Aidan Thompson threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers, linking up with Tommy Thomas from 43 yards out, Garet Schlabs for a 33-yarder and Rollin George III for a 25-yard TD. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles received a pick-six from Logan O'Brien, the second of the season for the linebacker, plus a 1-yard rushing plunge from Anthony McMillian to add to the lead.
 
1, 2, 3, 4!
Buoyed by the pick-six, Logan O'Brien earned a now-familiar accolade this Monday, as the redshirt senior was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. O'Brien is the only RMAC player to win four weekly awards (on offense, defense or special teams) so far during the 2025 season.
 
STORY: O'Brien Wins Fourth Defensive Player of the Week
 
O'Brien is now the second RMAC player this season with two defensive touchdowns, joining CSU Pueblo's Bryson Torrie. Along with his interception TD, O'Brien forced a fumble, broke up a pass and recorded three solo tackles against the Hardrockers. 
 
O'Brien is enjoying a breakout season that should have him firmly in the conversation for RMAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. O'Brien leads the conference and ranks tied for 12^th in Division II with 14 tackles for loss, is tied for the conference lead with five sacks, ranks sixth with 62 total tackles and is one of 14 RMAC players with multiple interceptions.
 
Senior Saturday
Chadron State will have 13 seniors honored in a pregame ceremony – Chance Aumiller, Levi Banuelos, Jadon Bowen, Brodie Eisenbraun, Zachary Kapushion, Logan O'Brien, Preston Pearson, Sutton Pohlman, DJ Ralph, Tommy Thomas, Tanner True, Wilson Yee and Dax Yeradi.
 
The decorated group includes three players that hold Chadron State program records in Thomas (most career receiving TDs with 28), Eisenbraun (highest single season punting average at 43.27 yds/punt) and Yee (longest made field goal at 61 yards).
 
In addition, three players that have earned First Team All-RMAC honors (Thomas, True and Yeradi), the RMAC's current leader in tackles for loss and co-leader in sacks (O'Brien) and eight players who have started every game for the Eagles in 2025 (Banuelos, Bowen, Eisenbraun, O'Brien, Thomas, True, Yee and Yeradi) are part of the exiting class.
 
All 13 participating seniors are in at least their second season with the Eagles. Six total players (Eisenbraun, Kapushion, O'Brien, Pearson, Pohlman and Thomas) are in their fifth seasons with the Eagle program, having joined the roster in 2021, while Dax Yeradi is in his sixth season on the roster. 
RMAC Update
With two weeks to go, Chadron State is firmly in the RMAC title conversation despite being picked to finish seventh in the league's preseason poll.

Here is a look at the current RMAC standings:
 

Team	RMAC Record	Overall Record
#6/#7 CSU Pueblo	7-0	8-1
#RV/#22 Chadron State	7-0	7-2
#11/9 Western Colorado	6-1	8-1
Colorado School of Mines	4-3	6-3
Colorado Mesa	4-3	5-4
New Mexico Highlands	3-4	5-4
South Dakota Mines	2-5	2-7
Fort Lewis	1-6	2-7
Black Hills State	1-6	1-8
Adams State	0-7	0-9

*for ranked teams: first # = ranking in AFCA Coaches Poll, second # = ranking in D2Football.com poll | RV = "receiving votes" in top 25 | NR = "not ranked"

The three remaining title contenders (Pueblo, CSC and Western) only face top five teams in the conference from here on out. Chadron State hosts Western Colorado, then travels to CSU Pueblo. The ThunderWolves play at Colorado School of Mines prior to facing the Eagles, while Western Colorado closes the season hosting Colorado Mesa after playing CSC.

CSU Pueblo is trying to win its second consecutive RMAC regular season championship. Western has not won since splitting the title in 2021 with Colorado School of Mines but is looking to extend their overall record of most football championships in the RMAC. Chadron State is seeking its first title since 2008.

RMAC Championships (most recent)
Western Colorado (19, 2021)
Colorado School of Mines (16, 2023)
Colorado Mesa (12, 2017)
CSU Pueblo (9, 2024)
Chadron State (8, 2008)
Adams State (7, 1989)
New Mexico Highlands (2, 1999)
Fort Lewis (1, 1984)
Black Hills State/South Dakota Mines (0)

Regional Rankings 
The first numerical release of the NCAA's regional rankings, which ultimately determine seeding and selection to the NCAA tournament, brought good news for Chadron State on Monday.  
 
NCAA Regional Rankings

The Eagles came in at No. 7 in the rankings in Super Region Four, meaning that if the season ended today, CSC would be within the top eight positions required for a tournament bid. Both of Chadron State's remaining opponents are above the Eagles in the rankings – Western Colorado (this Saturday) at No. 6 and CSU Pueblo (next Saturday) at No. 4.

Important to note: All non-Division II games (against Division I, III or NAIA) are not factored into the committee's metrics or evaluation, so because Chadron State played at Division I FCS Northern Colorado to open the season, CSC's current record in the eyes of the selection committee is 7-1. 

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference shares Super Region Four with the Lone Star Conference (LSC), Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and Great American Conference (GAC). The four conference champions will each earn automatic bids, while the other four regional spots are at-large and can be filled by teams from any of the region's four conferences.

The full top 10 for Super Region Four is as follows: Harding (GAC) at No. 1, Central Washington (LSC) at No. 2, Northwest Missouri State (MIAA) at No. 3, CSU Pueblo at No. 4, Pittsburg State (MIAA) at No. 5, Western Colorado at No. 6, CSC at No. 7, Western Oregon (LSC) at No. 8, UT-Permian Basin (LSC) at No. 9 and Southern Arkansas (GAC) at No. 10.

Stat Standouts
 

• The Chadron State defense ranks third in the RMAC in scoring defense (19.2 points per game) and leads the league in total defense (278.2 yards allowed per game).
• The Eagles rank third in all of Division II in fewest passing yards allowed (141.8/game) and are 14^thnationally in total defense. 
• The Chadron State offense ranks fifth in the RMAC in scoring (31.2 points per game) and sixth in total offense (395.6 yards per game). 
• Chadron State has a two-headed rushing attack. In redshirt freshman Quincey Ryker and junior Daytuawn Pearson, the Eagles have two of the top six rushing yards per game leaders in the RMAC (with Ryker fourth at 76.5/game and Pearson sixth at 56.7/game). Ryker also ranks tied for third in the RMAC by averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
• Tommy Thomas ranks second in the RMAC in receiving touchdowns (12) and total yards (746) and ranks third in receiving yards per game (82.9).
• Logan O'Brien leads the RMAC with 14 tackles for loss (T-12^th in Division II) and ranks sixth in the RMAC with 62 total tackles. He is also one of two RMAC players with multiple interception TDs this season.
• O'Brien is part of a three-way tie for the RMAC lead with five sacks. William Stemler is tied for fourth with 4.5 sacks.
• Dax Yeradi and O'Brien are two of 14 RMAC players with multiple interceptions. 
• Jadon Bowen ranks tied for fourth in the RMAC with six pass breakups.
• Brodie Eisenbraun leads the RMAC with 15 punts inside the 20-yard line, ranks third with nine punts of 50 yards or more and ranks fifth with a 43.7 punting average (11^th in Division II). That average, if he maintains it, would break Eisenbraun's own single-season program record of 43.26 set last year.
• Chase Nelson ranks second in the RMAC in combined return yardage (kickoff returns plus punt returns) with 404. Nelson has 267 kick return yards and 137 punt return yards.
  • Nelson's 31-yard punt return last week against South Dakota Mines was CSC's longest return of the season.

 
TnT
Quarterback Aidan Thompson and wide receiver Tommy Thomas have had a dynamite connection this season. While Thompson is a new addition to Chadron State after transferring from Oklahoma Baptist last spring, he wasted no time in building a rapport with Thomas, who has been a first team and second team All-RMAC selection over the past two seasons.
 
Thomas currently ranks second in the RMAC in both receiving yards (746) and receiving touchdowns (12) in 2025, and 11 of those TDs have come in the six games since Thompson took over as the starting quarterback, including a pair of three-touchdown games against Adams State and Fort Lewis.
 
The nonstop explosive plays have helped Thomas set a new Chadron State career record with his 27^threceiving TD with his third and final score against Fort Lewis (Thomas is currently at 28 and counting). Thomas passed the previous record of 26 shared by Tevon Wright, who graduated in 2019, and Cole Thurness, who concluded his career in 2021. Thomas's 11 reception touchdowns this season are a career-high for the redshirt senior, beating his 10 touchdowns from his 2023 season that ended in First Team All-RMAC honors. 
 
Thomas may not be done breaking records this season. With three games remaining in the regular season, Thomas needs:

• 8 catches to tie Cole Thurness (2016-21) for the school's all-time receptions lead with 192
• 481 receiving yards to tie Cory Brooks (1992-95) for the school's all-time receiving yards record with 2,941
• 4 receiving touchdowns to tie Tevon Wright (2016-19) for the school's single season record with 16

 
Reversing Trends
After beating South Dakota Mines, Chadron State now has five wins in 2025 over teams that the Eagles lost to in 2024 (Black Hills State, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Mesa, New Mexico Highlands and the Hardrockers). 
 
In many cases, the wins have snapped notable streaks in the all-time series, as Chadron State had lost three straight to Black Hills State, 11 straight to Mines and six straight to Mesa prior to winning this year. 
 
One reason for the turnaround has been CSC's success in close games, especially compared to last season. The 2024 Eagles finished 3-8, but were not far away from reversing that record as the Eagles went 1-5 in one-score games, including 0-5 against RMAC opponents.
 
This season, the 7-2 Eagles are 3-0 in one-score contests, beating Black Hills State by three points, Mines by six points and Mesa by seven points on consecutive weeks.
 
Scouting the Mountaineers
by Con Marshall
Western Colorado is 8-1 this season and 6-1 in the conference. The Mountaineers are ranked No. 9 in the same D2Football.com poll that has the Eagles ranked, and are No. 11 in the AFCA Poll. Western fell from the unbeaten ranks last week after losing 24-21 to Pueblo last Saturday when the ThunderWolves kicked a 32-yard field goal with no time left on the clock.  Chadron State will wrap up its regular season next Saturday, November 15 by playing at Pueblo.
 
The Mountaineers have outscored their opponents 40 to 14.6 points a game and outgained them 426.4 to 300 yards. They defeated West Texas A&M 45-28 and another Texas team, Midwestern State, 38-13, in the non-conference games. Their closest conference game prior to the loss vs. Pueblo was a 34-13 verdict at South Dakota Mines, which the Eagles downed the Hardrockers 35-10 last Saturday.
 
​Offensively, the Mountaineers have thrown for 2,370 yards, almost exactly 900 more than they managed on the ground. Drew Nash, a 6-2, 215-pound fifth-year senior and last year's First-Team RMAC All-Conference quarterback, has completed 153 of 243 passes for 2,015 yards and 23 touchdowns this fall. He's been intercepted just twice and is also the team's leading rusher with 401 yards and eight TDs.
 
​Western's second leading rusher is freshman Quinn Bailey, who didn't play in the first game of the season, but has carried 74 times for 363 yards and run for seven touchdowns since then. Bailey also has caught 15 passes for 219 yards and 3 TDs.
 
​Of course, he's the same Quinn Bailey who rushed 813 times for 5,985 yards and scored 84 touchdowns for the Chadron Cardinals the previous four football seasons while also winning three state wrestling championships.  
 
​As good as the Mountaineers are on offense, they may be better on defense. They have yielded just 775 yards and five touchdowns rushing and 1,918 yards and 11 TDs passing.
 
​The defensive leaders include Ian Loomis, who paces the team with 67 total tackles, nine of them for losses and five of them sacks. Close behind is Cameron Cooper, who has 55 tackles and 11.5 stops for minus yardage, including four sacks. Both are at least 6-2, weigh 220 and are sophomores.
 
​Another defender is 6-5, 265-pound senior end Ricky Freymond, who was First-Team All-RMAC last fall as well as both the RMAC and South Central Regional Defensive Player of the Year.
 
​The Western coaches include head mentor Jas Bains, who is in his 15th season in that post after serving as the special teams and an assistant coach at CSC prior to that. Defensive Coordinator Todd Auer is in his 10th season at Gunnison and prior to that had that position at CSC for 17 years. The offensive coordinator is Joe McLain, the Chadron native who was the Eagles' starting quarterback four years and wrapped up his career as both the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year and the Academic Player of the Year in 2008.
 
​While Western has won the last five games with the Eagles, the teams had split the previous 10. CSC leads the all-time series 23-16-1.  
 
The Staff
Head Coach Jay Long returns for his 14^th season at the helm of the Chadron State football program. In addition, Long coached for three seasons at now-RMAC rival Black Hills State from 2019-2012. 
 
As a result of CSC's five-game win streak, Long is back over .500 for his head coaching career, with an all-time record of 82-81 as a head coach and 67-66 at CSC. 
 
The core of Long's staff all returns for 2025, including sixth-year offensive coordinator Micah Smith and fifth-year defensive coordinator Clint Sasse. Long, Smith and Sasse are all Chadron State football alumni. Special teams coordinator Wes Coomes and quarterbacks coach Tommy Wilson also return to their roles from 2024. 
 
Four of the Eagles' six coaching assistants are new to the staff this year, with three bringing Division I experience. 
 
DeMarcus Felton (running backs) and Herbert Frazier, Jr. (wide receivers) both come to CSC from the staff of Dekaney High School in Houston, Texas, where they mentored several eventual Division I and Power 4 players. Both Felton and Frazier were members of the Texas Tech (Division I, Big 12) football program, with Felton racking up 10 rushing touchdowns during his Red Raider career.
 
Lorenzo Neal (defensive line) joins the CSC staff after a playing career at Purdue University, where he served as a team captain and earned two Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selections. Neal's father, Lorenzo, played for 16 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro as a fullback.
 
The final new coaching assistant is Deunte Moody (defensive backs), who begins his coaching career at Chadron State after concluding his playing career at Black Hills State last season. Returning to the staff are coaching assistants Steve Chang (linebackers) and Logan Zacharias (offensive line). 
 
Other Eagle support staff includes strength and conditioning coaches E.J. Kreis and Chase McLendon and athletic trainer Allison Wood.