The Colorado Mesa Mavericks football team is preparing for another long road trip, traveling over 600 miles this weekend to Rapid City, South Dakota, where they will face the undefeated South Dakota Mines Hardrockers at O’Harra Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.
This trip follows a successful, equally long journey last weekend, which saw the Mavericks secure a 42-23 victory over Eastern New Mexico. The Hardrockers, however, present a formidable challenge, currently holding a 2-0 record this season. Their impressive start includes a 38-35 win against Division I opponent Drake.
While CMU holds the historical advantage in the series against South Dakota Mines, the Hardrockers have proven difficult opponents in recent encounters, securing wins over the Mavericks in both 2022 and 2024. This history is fresh in the minds of the players.
“I know two years ago we went up there, lost. That left a bad taste in our mouth,” said wide receiver Trek Keyworth, emphasizing the team’s drive to “reverse that and come out with a win.” Quarterback Cole Hansen echoed this sentiment, stating that despite the Hardrockers being “on their high horse,” the Mavericks' “expectation, our standard is to win this game.”
The Mavericks are expected to rely heavily on their running game. However, the Hardrockers are anticipated to bring a physical defense, aiming to contain CMU’s rushing attack by loading players near the line of scrimmage, a strategy known as stacking the box.
Offensive lineman Calem Grimble acknowledged the challenge, noting that while the Hardrockers will try to stop the run, the Mavericks expect to “be able to run right through it.” He added that the team will also need to rely on their outside players to create opportunities. Hansen elaborated on this strategy, stating, “Their goal is to stop our run game. We’re going to try and establish that as best as we can. And we’re also going to take some shots on the outside,” seeking to exploit one-on-one matchups when the defense commits to stopping the run.
The game environment itself promises to be unique. O’Harra Stadium is known for its unusual setup, with fans cheering, yelling, or even honking car horns directly behind the visiting team’s sideline. Grimble described the experience as “a little strange” and “not normal for most stadiums,” but stressed the importance of staying “dialed in to what you got to do. And the better you do, the quieter they are.”
As the Mavericks embark on their extensive journey to Rapid City, they carry the momentum from a recent win and a clear goal to overcome a challenging opponent in a distinctive venue.
