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.
A roughing the passer penalty against Mines preceded a 10-yard pass from Thompson to tight end Preston Pearson. Running back Daytuawn Pearson, no relation, gained nine yards before Thompson connected with Thomas on an eight-yard pass on a fade route to put the Eagles on top 31-20 with six minutes remaining after Yee added the PAT.
It appeared the Eagles were going to blow the game wide open seconds later after Capra threw an interception to CSC safety Dax Yeradi, who returned the ball 23 yards to the Mines' 38. It was Yeradi's ninth career interception.
But on the second play after the Eagles took over, Mines' cornerback Jackson Zimmerman hit Thompson, who fumbled. Orediggers linebacker Sean Gilbert picked up the pigskin and took it 88 yards to the end zone to cut CSC's advantage to 31-28 after the hosts succeeded in making a two-point conversion.
With 4:18 still to play, it appeared the Eagles might be in danger of absorbing a heart-breaker, particularly when they were penalized on their first play from scrimmage. But on third and 10, redshirt freshman Quincey Ryker broke off a 15-yard run for a first down, allowing CSC to maintain possession.
The Eagles continued to thrive when the Mines defense was assessed a pair of 15-yard penalties, helping CSC get in position for Yee to kick a 32-yard field goal with only 59 seconds left on the clock.
The Orediggers got a final possession, but netted just five yards on two passes, were penalized again and after the clock ran out as Cooper Walton tackled an Oredigger receiver short of the first down on 4th-and-10, the Eagles had broken their 11-game losing streak to one of Division II's most successful programs.
Despite being sacked twice, Thompson's two terrific runs gave the Abilene, Texas native 106 net yards rushing. His 73-yard run is the longest touchdown scored by a CSC quarterback since Brad Fults went 88 yards against Minot State in 1977.
Ryker also gained 101 on 21 carries, helping the Eagles finish with 261 yards rushing. Daytuawn Pearson also ran for 26 crucial yards on six carries late in the game.
Eight Eagles caught passes, led by Thomas's five for 49 yards and the two TDs. Preston Pearson had three receptions for 28 yards and Ryker had three for 25.
CSC linebacker Cooper Walton was the game's leading tackler with 11, seven of them unassisted. O'Brien had eight tackles, including two sacks and two quarterback hurries. Still another linebacker, Reese Jacobs, and cornerback Jadon Brown were each credited with seven tackles and Ryder True and Yeradi with six apiece.
At 2-0 in RMAC play, Chadron State is tied for the conference lead with CSU Pueblo, who defeated Colorado Mesa Saturday. The Eagles will take on the same Colorado Mesa team next week during homecoming at Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium.
