ALAMOSA, Colo. — Adams State football found the end zone twice in the second half Saturday afternoon, but a strong first half from South Dakota Mines proved too much to overcome as the Grizzlies fell 45-15 at Rex Field.
The loss moved Adams State to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in RMAC play, while South Dakota Mines improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference action.
Freshman quarterback Khalil Abdul-Aziz completed 14 of 24 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Andre Branch led the ground game with 72 yards on 13 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt, while Kayden LaFramboise led the receiving corps with six catches for 46 yards.
South Dakota Mines opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Gage Baker connected with Joshua Morales for an 11-yard touchdown. The Hardrockers carried the momentum into the second quarter, scoring four touchdowns to build a 35-0 halftime advantage. Dawson Dunbar accounted for two of those scores on runs of nine and eight yards, while Baker connected with Ty Harris for a 69-yard touchdown before Matt Bohy scored from 13 yards out with 51 seconds remaining in the half.
The Hardrockers added to the lead on the opening possession of the second half when Dunbar broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, his third score of the afternoon.
Adams State answered later in the third quarter. Abdul-Aziz connected with Max Minor for a 26-yard touchdown with 7:18 remaining in the period, completing a five-play, 49-yard drive. Abdul-Aziz then found LaFramboise for the successful two-point conversion to put the Grizzlies on the board, 42-8.
After a 38-yard South Dakota Mines field goal pushed the margin to 45-8 in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies put together their longest scoring drive of the afternoon. Adams State marched 75 yards in 13 plays, with Abdul-Aziz finding freshman Travion Dixson for a nine-yard touchdown with 5:18 remaining. Ant Arnusch added the extra point for the final 45-15 margin.
Dixson finished with three catches for 19 yards and his touchdown, while Minor's 26-yard scoring reception accounted for his catch on the afternoon. LaFramboise's six receptions led the Grizzlies. Adams State finished with 201 yards of total offense, including 119 through the air and 82 on the ground, and converted both of its fourth-down attempts.
Defensively, Benjamin Rodriguez led Adams State with seven tackles, including six solo stops and a tackle for loss. Zachary Ray added six tackles and a tackle for loss, while Blake George recorded the Grizzlies' lone sack, dropping the quarterback for an eight-yard loss.
South Dakota Mines finished with 425 yards of offense, rushing for 225 and passing for 200. Dunbar led the Hardrockers with 109 rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight carries, while Baker completed 17 of 23 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will travel to Gunnison, CO to play nationally ranked #11 Western Colorado Saturday September 26th at 6p.m.
