RAPID CITY, S.D. – With 6:42 left to play, Western State Colorado University Football pulled within three points of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, it would be as close as they would come against the Hardrockers, falling 38-21.
 
Western (0-2, 0-1 RMAC) was able to pull within three points, 21-24 following a 29-yard field goal by kicker Chandler Davis. With 6:42 remaining, the Mountaineers had plenty of time to catch SDSMT (1-1, 1-1 RMAC).
 
However, the Hardrockers solidified the win with an eight-play 76-yard drive, capped-off by a 43-yard touchdown run by Connor Silveria. SDSMT took a 31-21 lead.
 
The Mountaineers opened the scoring with a five yard pass from Cameron Shumway to wide receiver Christian Lancellotti. The Western offense drove 81 yards on 14 plays to take a 6-0 lead over the Hardrockers at the 1:10 mark of the first quarter.
 
Shumway set career best marks in passing yards and passing touchdowns on Saturday. Shumway completed 24 passes for 198 yard and three touchdowns.
 
Western's defense held SDSMT scoreless in the first quarter. It was the first time since Oct. 21, 2017 that Western was able to hold an opponent scoreless in the first 15 minutes.
 
The Mountaineer lead was erased in the second quarter by two touchdown passes from SDSMT quarterback Jake Sullivan, as the Hardrockers grabbed a 14-6 lead with 9:10 left to play in the first half.
 
Shumway found Zach Manchester on a seven-yard touchdown pass to put the Mountaineers down just two points, 12-14, with 3:20 left in the second quarter.
 
It looked as though the two teams would go into the break, separated by just two points, but SDSMT kicker Enis Sefa knocked a 27-yard field goal through the uprights with 17 seconds left to give SDSMT at 17-12 lead at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Western regained the lead with an amazing over-the-top grab by Elijah Gillespie from 24-yards out. The Mountaineers went ahead 18-17 at the 9:23 mark of the third quarter.
 
Gillespie led the Mountaineers in receiving with 69 yards on seven catches. Lancellotti was just behind, recording 67-yards receiving on seven catches.
 
The Hardrockers erased that lead on their following possession, scoring on a one-yard run by Silveria to put SDSMT up 28-14, before Western would pull within three on Chandler's field goal.
 
Western running back Isaac Fuqua led all players in rushing with 104 yards on the ground. It was the second career 100-yard rushing game of Fuqua's career.
 
Defensively, Lane Farris led the Mountaineers with 15 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss.
 
As a team, Western outgained the Hardrockers in total offense. The Mountaineers recorded 404 yards of total offense, while SDSMT recorded 389.
 
The Mountaineer defensive line recorded four sacks, coming from Desmond Marfizo, Mark Zavala, Darrious Gaines and Will Lydle.
 
SDSMT's last score came on a 57-yard pick-six after a desperation attempt in the finals minutes.
 
Western will return to the field next Saturday when they host Colorado Mesa University in the 2018 home opener.