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Cooper Needham at Colorado School of Mines
Antonio Clark/TC Images
Cooper Needham (83) after a catch against the Orediggers at Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium (Sept. 19, 2026)

Hardrockers invade for Skyhawks football pink game on Saturday afternoon

10/2/2026 10:00:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks football team (2-2, 1-2 RMAC) will host South Dakota Mines (4-1, 2-1 RMAC) for its annual pink game, presented by CommonSpirit and Alpine Bank, at Ray Dennison Memorial Field on Saturday, Oct. 3. Two dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to the Mercy Breast Care Center.
 
Game Details
Fort Lewis (2-2, 1-2 RMAC) vs. South Dakota Mines (4-1, 2-1 RMAC)
Saturday, Oct. 3, 12 p.m.
Durango, Colo. – Ray Dennison Memorial Field
RMAC Network | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Tailgating and Fan Freebies
Fans can begin tailgating in the Art Lot at 10 a.m., with select parking spots available. Skyhawks Athletics is thrilled to offer half-priced beverages, line dancing with Blazing Boots and the Fort Lewis College Line Dancing Club, $2 hot dogs (with proceeds benefiting the Skyhawks softball team), and a free pink Skyhawks koozie to the first 25 fans who purchase a beverage. In addition, CommonSpirit will provide free pink rally towels for the first 150 fans. FLC Housing is also offering 150 pink rally towels to the first students at the student entrance located between Whalen Gymnasium and the Sports Performance Center.
 
Last Time Out
Fort Lewis is coming off a narrow 28-20 loss at Black Hills State University (4-1, 2-1 RMAC), where the Skyhawks outgained the Yellow Jackets 405 yards to 372, forced and recovered two fumbles to BHSU's one, and led by five minutes of total possession. Lucas Schmitten converted on field goals from 51 and 23 yards on special teams while Michael Collins and Solomon Latimer hauled in 10-yard and 78-yard touchdown receptions, respectively. Jordan Thomas forced a fumble, Ellis Watson and Dillan Swift recovered fumbles, and Drennan Dowell led all players with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
 
Jones Letting it Fly
Fifth-year senior quarterback Sam Jones settled in under center last weekend and delivered one of the best performances by a Skyhawks gunslinger in over a decade. Jones went 30-for-40 (75 percent) through the air for 339 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, despite suffering five sacks. Jones posted Fort Lewis' first 30-completion effort since 2012 and first 300+ yard passing performance since 2018. With Jones under center, FLC also eclipsed 400 yards of offense for the first time in two years.
 
History with the Hardrockers
South Dakota Mines and Fort Lewis will meet for just the 11th time since the program's first matchup back on Sept. 3, 2011, a 48-30 win for the Skyhawks. While Fort Lewis won the first three games in the series, it's been all South Dakota Mines since 2018, as the Hardrockers have won seven straight games, the last five under seventh-year head coach Charlie Flohr, who boasts a 33-31 head coaching record at the helm of SDM.
 
South Dakota Mines by the Numbers
The Hardrockers ride in Saturday's contest on the heels of back-to-back wins over New Mexico Highlands University (3-2, 1-2 RMAC), 34-23, and Adams State University (0-5, 0-3 RMAC), 45-15. SDM is one of four teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with one loss or fewer, suffering its lone setback 30-24 in overtime against Colorado Mesa University (2-3, 1-2 RMAC).
 
South Dakota Mines is one of the most balanced offenses in the conference, averaging 183.0 yards rushing and 220.4 yards passing for its 403.4 yards per game of total offense. Junior quarterback Gage Baker has been efficient, going 88-for-149 (59.1 percent) from the pocket thus far for 1,102 yards and 11 touchdowns. Baker is the only gunslinger among eight qualified from across the RMAC without an interception. Five Hardrockers have made 10 or more catches this year, but junior wide receiver Joshua Morales leads the group with 17 catches for 243 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, fifth-year lead-back Dawson Dunbar has rushed for 510 yards, 6.5 yards per carry, and a team-high eight touchdowns on 79 attempts.
 
The Hardrockers are one of the toughest teams to run against in the RMAC, holding opponents to an average of 92.8 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry. The success comes from a combined 33 tackles for 109 yards lost as a team, with nine individuals boasting 2.0 tackles for loss or more. Junior defensive lineman Aiden Welinger leads the team with 5.0 tackles for 29 yards lost, and 3.5 of the team's 9.0 sacks for 26 yards. Welinger also has 11 quarterback hurries. South Dakota Mines ranks eighth defensively in passing among RMAC teams, surrendering 261.6 yards per game and 7.3 yards per catch through the air.
 
Looking Ahead
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference will enjoy its first week-six bye week next Saturday, Oct. 10, giving the league's 10 teams plenty of rest before embarking on the back half of the campaign. The Skyhawks will return to action on the road at No. 7/7-nationally ranked Western Colorado University (5-0, 3-0 RMAC) on Saturday, Oct. 17, for a 6 p.m. game under the lights of Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl at The Rady Family Sports Complex in Gunnison, Colo.
 
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