By Paxton Ritchey- CSC Sports Information
After spearheading a defensive effort that kept one of Division II’s top teams at bay, Chadron State junior defensive back Dax Yeradi was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office.
Yeradi, a junior from Wright, Wyoming, grabbed an interception and was the Eagles’ joint-leading tackler during Saturday’s 13-12 loss against No. 4 Colorado School of Mines, the two-time defending national runners-up who entered the contest averaging 36 points per game.
Yeradi finished with a team-high six solo tackles among his seven tackles in the game. Midway through the second quarter, he grabbed his second interception in the season’s first three games, forcing what was the Mines’s first turnover of the 2024 season.
As an overall unit, the Chadron State defense held Colorado School of Mines to well under their season averages in rushing yards (97, entered averaging 205 per game) and passing yards (235, entered averaging 262 per game).
The Eagles started off on fire, creating two sacks on the first series of the game and holding Mines to zero total yards of offense on eight plays in the first quarter. Chadron State also recovered a Mines fumble in the fourth quarter, helping CSC win the turnover battle 2-1.
Through three weeks of the season, Chadron State’s defense is allowing the fewest points per game (13.7) and second-fewest yards per game (264.7) in the RMAC. The Eagles have yet to allow more than 18 points in a game this season.
On the year, Yeradi is tied for the team lead with 14 solo tackles and is fourth on the team with 15 overall tackles. He also has both of CSC’s two interceptions so far in 2024.
The Eagles will play on the road for the first time this season on Saturday, visiting Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m