September 14th 2024.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Topeka, Kansas, the Colorado School of Mines football team faced a tough challenge to their regular-season dominance. As the fifth-ranked Orediggers took the field, they knew they had to bring their A-game to secure a win against the home team, Washburn.
Led by redshirt junior Landon Walker, who ran in four touchdowns, the Orediggers fought hard and came out on top with a narrow 31-28 victory. The three-point difference was the closest margin of victory for the Orediggers in their current 22-game winning streak. Interestingly enough, the team had also won by the same score of 31-28 against Angelo State in their first game of the 2023 season.
Quarterback Evan Foster played a crucial role in the Orediggers' success, throwing for 255 yards with an impressive 24-of-30 passing record. However, it was Walker who stole the show with his 142 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His final touchdown, from 8 yards out, sealed the deal for the Orediggers and put them ahead 31-21 with just over 7 minutes left in the third quarter.
But Washburn did not go down without a fight. They answered back with a 12-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Maury Sullivan to Keeler Hurla, bringing the score to 31-28. The Orediggers had two opportunities to extend their lead, but were unable to do so, including a final drive that ended in a punt with less than a minute left on the clock.
With Washburn in possession, they made their way down the field and found themselves in a prime position to tie the game with a field goal. However, Trenton Brehm's 44-yard attempt fell short, giving the Orediggers the hard-earned victory.
Mines senior receiver Max McLeod made a triumphant return to the lineup after suffering an injury in the first game of the season. He caught eight passes for 94 yards, while Flynn Schiele added seven receptions for 90 yards. Overall, the Orediggers outgained Washburn with 467 total yards compared to 399.
Next up for the Orediggers is the start of RMAC play as they face off against Chadron State next Saturday at noon. In other RMAC football action, South Dakota Mines defeated Upper Iowa 17-10, Central Washington beat Colorado Mesa 28-12, and St. Thomas took down Black Hills State 24-14. The Arizona Christian at Fort Lewis game will kick off at 2 p.m.
As the Orediggers celebrate their hard-fought victory, they can now turn their attention to their upcoming games and continue their quest for success on the field. And for fans who can't get enough of Denver's teams, be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette to stay updated on all the latest sports news.
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