Football | 9/27/2017 10:29:00 PM

ALAMOSA – Adams State University will play host to the 2017 Adams State Hall of Fame game against South Dakota School of Mines Saturday at 1 p.m. The Grizzlies come into Saturday's matchup with an even record, but coming off of a lopsided loss to Chadron State College on the road. Adams looks to change the tide against S.D. Mines before beginning a three game stretch against top-25 opponents.
 
The Grizzlies continue to boast one of the top passing attacks in the country, averaging nearly 400 yards per game through the air. The team is led by Nick Rooney, the transfer quarterback that is second in the nation in yards per game, third in the nation in completions per game, and third in total offense. He is also tied for third in points responsible for per game with 24 points per game coming from his arm.
 
Joining in the excitement are Marquese Surrell, Chad Hovasse and Jimmy Holtrop. Surrell is fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 227. He is also sixth in the nation in kick return yards and in the top-15 in receiving yards. Hovasse is 16^th in the nation in receiving yards, while Holtop is top-10 in the nation in touchdown receptions with five.
 
Hovasse, the junior captain and RMAC Preseason All-Conference selection, is looking to make Grizzly history. The junior ranks in the top-10 in school history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He needs just a dozen catches to move to eight in school history in that category, 245 yards to move to sixth in yards, and just a touchdown to get to seventh in the final category. Hovasse has a pair of three touchdown games to his name, and a repetition on the feat Saturday would tie him for fifth in school history in touchdown receptions.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, the team will be without star defensive back Garrett Jackson, who was suspended for the game after receiving a post-game targeting call this week following the loss to Chadron. Picking up in his place will be Brandon Baker, who is tied for third in the nation in passes defended and is top-15 in the nation in forced fumbles.
 
S.D. Mines is a balanced team, led by dual-threat quarterback Jake Sullivan. Sullivan has already rushed for more than 250 yards, while leading his team with five rushing touchdowns. He also has six touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards in the air, but has thrown seven interceptions as well.
 
The Hardrockers are the top-ranked team in the conference in PATs and punting, and second in the conference in third-down conversions. The team is also third in rushing defense in the RMAC, and second in first downs behind the Grizzlies. Outside of that the team ranks between fifth and seventh in the conference in nearly every statistical category, with passing defense being the weakest part with a second-to-last ranking in the conference.
 
Saturday at halftime Adams State will honor nine individuals and three teams that will be inducted into the Grizzly Hall of Fame Friday evening. Of those individuals, five are national champions, with all three teams being inducted having brought home their respective national title. Additionally, a pair of football players will be inducted, the single-season rushing record holder Bill Stone, and Jim Vuono of the 1969 RMAC Champion team.