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Hardrockers spoil Fort Lewis’ Homecoming

Skyhawks score a season-high 20 points in loss
Fort Lewis quarterback Braden Wingle drops back to pass while playing South Dakota Mines on Saturday at FLC. (Courtesy)

Energized by a packed Homecoming crowd, the Fort Lewis College football team played its best game of the season against South Dakota Mines on Saturday. Unfortunately, it was not enough to beat the Hardrockers. FLC fell 65-20 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game.

“I was disappointed in the final score, but I wasn't disappointed in the effort and the fight of the kids. We're still growing execution-wise, but there wasn't any quit,” said Fort Lewis College Head Coach Johnny Cox. “I feel like it could have been more, we had some other opportunities, and some guys made some big plays. Guys want their next opportunity; a lot of guys are fired up for the opportunities and momentum we're having. So, we just have to keep getting better and better each week, and hopefully next week we can take another step towards getting a victory.”

The Hardrockers scored on the their opening drive. Orland Westbrook-Sanchez III found a gap up the middle in the Skyhawks secondary, exploding for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Fort Lewis College wide receiver Drake Cortez runs after a catch on Saturday while playing South Dakota Mines. (Courtesy)

Fort Lewis answered in turn. The Skyhawks marched down the field in a rhythmic 10 plays, scoring a touchdown on a two-yard reception from Braden Wingle to Drake Cortez.

South Dakota Mines found another gear on the following possession and proceeded to tack on 27 unanswered points to take a 34-7 lead at halftime.

South Dakota Mines remained on the offensive attack in the second half, scoring 31 points in the third quarter on a pair of passing touchdowns from Jayden Johannsen alongside a field goal from Spencer Skeesick, and a scoop-and-score from Kaleb Tischler who stripped the ball from Wingle.

The Skyhawks finally found some ground in the fourth quarter and held the Hardrockers scoreless.

On offense, Brayden Miller found Christopher Thomas Jr. down field after a busted coverage and connected for a 72-yard Fort Lewis touchdown. Redshirt senior Jeff Hansen later punched in a two-yard rushing touchdown to secure a season-high 20 points for Fort Lewis.

Miller closed out the final quarter of the game, finishing with seven completions on 10 attempts (70%) for 167 yards and one touchdown. Wingle ended the game 10 for 25 passing (40%) with 57 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. The Skyhawks quarterbacks took a combined six sacks.

Mines quarterback Jayden Johannsen was 18 for 29 (62.06%) in the air for 238 yards and six touchdowns. Johannsen added 21 yards on the ground. Westbrook-Sanchez III led the Hardrockers rushing game, picking up a net 96 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Max Derry and Levi Dickerson led SDM with five tackles.

Jayden Helms led the Fort Lewis defense with 10 total tackles while Carter Cameron and Chima Mbaruguru each provided a sack.

Cameron also made three tackles, forced a fumble and got completely horizontal to intercept a pass across the middle of the field.

Fort Lewis College wide receiver Christopher Thomas Jr. tries to make a catch while playing South Dakota Mines on Saturday at FLC. (Courtesy)
NOTABLES

– Christopher Thomas Jr. had hauled in 125 yards and one touchdown on four catches. His 125 receiving yards is the most by a Fort Lewis receiver since Apr. 23, 2021. (Games from the 2020 fall season were played the spring due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.) His 72-yard reception was the longest by a Skyhawks receiver since Oct. 20, 2018.

– Fort Lewis' 159 net rushing yards is the highest of the season thus far, and just one yard less than the first four games of the season combined (160).

– Carter Cameron is the only Skyhawk this season to force a fumble and intercept a pass.

– Jeff Hansen's rushing touchdown was the first of the season on the ground for FLC.

– The Skyhawks’ 383-yards of total offense is their highest in an RMAC game since playing Chadron State on Sept. 15, 2018.

NEXT UP

Next week the twelve-hour bus ride belongs to the Skyhawks as they make the trip to Spearfish, South Dakota, for an RMAC game against the Black Hills State University Yellowjackets. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Saturday.

Fort Lewis College wide receiver Christopher Thomas Jr. tries to make a catch while playing South Dakota Mines on Saturday at FLC. (Courtesy)