DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College football team fought hard against #9 Colorado School of Mines, but the connection between Isaac Harker and Brody Oliver was just too much as the duo tallied four touchdowns in leading the Orediggers to a 44-14 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
Harker to Oliver was a story throughout the game with the senior pair finding each other three times for passing touchdowns in the third quarter, before adding another in the third. Oliver became the new RMAC leader for career touchdowns as well. The Orediggers tallied 21 points in both the second and third quarters, holding a 42-0 advantage during that time.
Early on, following a safety for Colorado School of Mines (7-0, 7-0 RMAC), FLC (1-6, 1-6 RMAC) responded and took the lead midway through the first quarter. After Nick McNamee found Parker Strahler for a 13-yard reception, Ta'Jon Mondy-Smith then ran some wildcat at quarterback and broke free for a 21-yard run and after adding an eight-yard scamper, he then passed to Xavier Thibodeaux for a 36-yard touchdown to give FLC a 7-2 lead with 7:38 to play in the opening quarter.
With both defenses forcing stops the remainder of the quarter, early in the second a big defensive play helped swing momentum for Colorado School of Mines. Right after the FLC defense forced a turnover on downs with Isiah Mayberry breaking up the pass, the Oredigger defense recorded a big interception by Makransky that set them up at the FLC 27. Two plays later, it was the first of Harker's passes to the end zone for Oliver making it a 9-7 lead with 13:56 to go in the second quarter.
Colorado School of Mines would score on their next two drives to move in front 23-7. Late in the half, Suli Tukumoeatu made a big play in the end zone when he recorded an interception with just a few seconds left to leave the score 23-7 at halftime.
Colorado School of Mines then used a big 21-point third quarter to open up a 44-7 lead. In the fourth quarter, FLC put together a lengthy 11 play, 75-yard drive to close the scoring. On the drive, the Skyhawks picked up a big fourth down at the Oredigger 29 and then after a holding penalty on third down made it first-and-goal at the seven, Erik Ornduff hit Arealous Hughes in the back corner of the end zone for the touchdown to make it 44-14 with 11:53 to play.
Colorado School of Mines held a 28-15 edge on first downs, 140-63 advantage on rushing yards, 347-125 through the air and 487-188 in total yards. The Orediggers did commit 12 penalties for 127 yards, while FLC had just three flags for 42 yards.
Three different Skyhawks took snaps behind center with Mondy-Smith completing 3-5 for 65 yards and a touchdown. Ornduff went 9-20 for 48 yards and a touchdown, while McNamee completed 2-5 for 12 yards. On the ground, Mondy-Smith led the team with 37 yards on seven carries. Brayden Lucero added 12 carries for 27 yards. Thibodeaux led the way in receiving tallying a catch for 35 yards. Mason Hatton added a catch for 26 yards.
On defense, Mayberry led the team with eight tackles, one for loss and also had a pass defended. Tukumoeatu and Darrian Stickney had seven tackles apiece, with Tukumoeatu adding a half-tackle for loss, an interception and two passes defended.
Harker paced Colorado School of Mines completing 32-47 for 345 and three touchdowns. Cameron Mayberry rushed 18 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Riley Hoff caught 11 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Oliver added nine catches for 127 yards and four touchdowns. Bock led the defense with six tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack that went for a safety and a blocked punt. Makransky had two interceptions.
FLC will remain at home this coming Saturday for Senior Day against Western State starting at noon. The Mountaineers fell just short earlier on Saturday at Dixie State, 17-10.
