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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Eagles drop conference opener

Preston Goehring
Tailback Derek Jackson, 20, sophomore of Pueblo West, Colorado, rushes through defenders Saturday after the handoff from quarterback TD Stein, 6, redshirt freshman of Chadron, at a game against Colorado School of Mines at Golden.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Tailback Derek Jackson, 20, sophomore of Pueblo West, Colorado, rushes through defenders Saturday after the handoff from quarterback TD Stein, 6, redshirt freshman of Chadron, at a game against Colorado School of Mines at Golden.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

CSC traveled to Golden, Colorado, last weekend to open up RMAC play against the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. Prior to the game, Mines was ranked No. 15 in the nation. The Eagles battled hard but were unable to win the conference opener, losing 28-20.

The Orediggers, one of the best teams in the nation, were averaging over 52 points per game this season and only allowing 17.5. The Eagles were averaging 26.5 points per game while allowing 24.

The game was close until the fourth quarter, where CSM was able to fine the endzone three times, pushing the score to 28-3. Although the Eagles never gave up, the hole they dug themselves into proved to be too much.

Defensively, Ryan Wood, junior of Stockton, California, and senior captain Dylan Furrier, of Tucson, Arizona, led the team in tackles with 11 each. However the defensive highlight came from Cole Montgomery, senior captain of Casper, Wyoming, who blocked a punt, recovered the ball, and returned it for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game for the Eagles.

Danny O'Boyle, 15, senior wide receiver of Gering, stiff arms Colorado Mines' defender Saturday in a match-up at Golden, Colorado.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Danny O’Boyle, 15, senior wide receiver of Gering, stiff arms Colorado Mines’ defender Saturday in a match-up at Golden, Colorado.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

“I think everyone knew that we needed a big play to turn things around we didn’t have much momentum at that point and the call was designed for multiple people to block it,” Montgomery said. “We have a great special teams scheme all around. Everyone did exactly what they were supposed to do and it allowed me to come free, and I was just thinking don’t close my eyes, and when I blocked it, I don’t think I had anything else going through my mind other than finding the ball and it was in front of me, and I picked it up and ran it into the end zone.”

Derek Jackson, sophomore of Pueblo West, Colorado, played another outstanding game, racking up 184 yards, his longest run being a 42-yarder on the opening drive. Jackson had another long run that was called back due to a penalty.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Coy, of Davenport, Florida, established his running game as well, gaining 94 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles. Danny O’Boyle, senior of Gering, had a team high seven catches and 42 yards. TD Stein, redshirt freshman of Chadron, completed 17 of 31 passes, for 107 yards and four interceptions, the final one coming deep in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles face Colorado Mesa University in their home opener, noon, Saturday.

“It is more important now than ever (to win) because we know we have to win the rest of our games if we want to make the post season which is always an expectation for us as a program,” Montgomery said. “They (CMU) are leading the conference in rushing and they have a nation leading punt returner so it’s a challenge we are excited for.”