RAPID CITY --- SD School of Mines football team earned a much needed and well deserved win Saturday afternoon defeating Dakota State University, 42-17, on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City which was the last home game for the senior football players as well as Hardrocker head coach Dan Kratzer. Earlier this week Kratzer announced his retirement at the end of the 2011 season.

The Hardrockers had a well balanced offensive attack collecting 264 rushing yards to go along with a passing attack that netted 229 yards. The win gives SD Mines its first of the season with a 1-8 overall mark while the DSU Trojans fall to 1-8 after breaking a 17-game losing streaks a couple of weeks ago.

The Hardrockers got scores from junior Jaryd Francis on a 26-yard touchdown strike from senior Nick Russell, followed by a 48 yard TD pass from Russell to junior Bernis Berber, a three-yard rush by senior Colen Kling for another score, a 40 yard TD reception from Russell to junior Dusty Daniels, a 40-yard keeper from senior Dustin Meneley and a two-yard goal-line dive from freshman Pat Bloeman at the end of the game. Andy Smith made good on 4-5 PAT and Russell connected with junior Marshal Davis for a two point conversion.

Individually, SD Mines senior Jamie Dale led all rushers with 92 yards on 20 carries while freshman Jeff Faulk ran the ball six times for 51 yards.

Russell impressed at QB, connecting on 13 of 20 passes for 229 yards and three touchdown passes and was only sacked once.

The Hardrockers receivers were busy Saturday. Berber had three catches for 76 yards and Davis had three for 64.

Defensively, seniors Kling and Josh Sherman both had 11 total tackles in the game. Meneley made his presences known with two interceptions as broke up four passes. Sophomore lineman Taylor Dutcher also had a pick in the game. The Hardrockers got the quarterback four times with junior Anderw Isom recording 1.5 sacks, while senior Erik Yeash, junior Shane Sweeney and junior sophomore Tim Lux all got credit for half a sack.