By Con Marshall
The Chadron State College football team will have a major challenge Saturday when Colorado School of Mines visits Elliott Field as both teams open their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedules. Kickoff will be at noon.
The Orediggers have been the conference champions and the NCAA Division II national runners-up each of the past two years. They are ranked No. 4 after defeating West Texas A&M and the Washburn Ichabods in two non-conference games this season.
Chadron State Head Coach Jay Long said it’s a great opportunity for his team to play Mines because “we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
The Eagles are 1-1 this season after losing to Nebraska-Kearney 18-6 in the opener before scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Jamestown Jimmies of North Dakota 17-10 two weeks ago. Chadron State was idle last weekend
Long said the open date was good for his team, allowing a few players who had been banged up in the first two games to recuperate, and also because it gave the Eagles extra time to improve their schemes and execution.