Eagles take the win and keep the trophy

The Eagles contend against rival South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and came together for their first win, 31-20, to retain the Eagle-Rock Trophy. 

“It feels good,” Dalton Holst, graduate of Gillette, Wyoming, said. “Done after this year and having never lost to South Dakota Mines and just be able to keep that trophy up in Chicoine, It just feels great that we just get to keep it every year.” 

Returning to the field for the third quarter, Bobby Peele, senior of Fresno, California, swung the momentum in the Eagles favor four minutes into the half with an interception. 

The ball was placed on the five-yard line, allowing the Eagles to move the ball slowly down the field in 15 plays. The drive ended with an eight-yard touchdown catch from Elijah Myles, junior of Hawthorne, California. The Eagles drained nine minutes off the game clock. 

“Whenever you have a rivalry game, you’re going to have highs and lows in the game and momentum swings,” Head Coach Jay Long said. “A big factor in the game was the third down conversions. We were 11 for 15 on third down which keeps the chains moving.” 

To continue Chadron State’s second half charge, Dorian Collier, freshman of Tallahassee, Florida, barreled into the end zone with a 33-yard run to cap off CSC’s scoring for the night and to take the win, even with a South Dakota Mines touchdown six minutes later.  

“Dorian coming in and really just providing a spark,” Long said. “He was one block away from breaking one. Then he came in the next play and I was mad at him because he didn’t follow his reads and he got an eight-yard run, so I wasn’t mad at him for very much longer.” 

Quarterback Holst connected 22 of his 29 passing attempts. He threw a total of 327 yards and two touchdowns.  

The longest throw of the game was 64 yards, being caught by wide receiver Chad Mikelson, senior of Julesburg, Colorado, and ran in for a second quarter touchdown.  

Mikelson finished the game with five catches for 149 yards. 

“It’s just obviously nice to get your first win, but night game in front of a lot of big fans,” Holst said. “Rivalry game, it’s always nice to beat Tech and they’re a great team. They’re going to win a lot of games this year. They were undefeated before this.” 

With his touchdown rush, Collier had three rushing attempts and gained 61 yards. 

Jeydon Cox, redshirt freshman of Jackson, Wyoming, scored the other rushing touchdown for the Eagles. He rushed six attempts for 21 yards. 

Myles gained 80 yards of 21 rushing attempts for a net total of 79 yards. He also caught three throws for 35 yards. 

Cole Thurness, senior of Rapid City, South Dakota, received the most with seven catches for 51 yards. 

Jeremiah Makahununiu, senior of Sioux Fall, South Dakota, was the leading force on Eagles’ defense being a part of eight tackles, five of which were by himself. 

“I just love playing at home and I love playing in front of our crowd,” Long said. “I love having the night game. To me, it doesn’t really matter whether we’re playing Angelo State, or Pueblo, or South Dakota School of Mines. I just love to have the opportunity to play here at home in front of our fans, in front of our family.” 

The Eagles hit the road to kickoff against Colorado Mesa University at 1 p.m., Saturday in Grand Junction, Colorado.