Kearney, Neb. – Junior quarterback Clay Garcia threw a game tying five-yard scoring pass on fourth down in triple overtime, and then completed a game winning two point conversion, to lift 21st-ranked Colorado School of Mines to a 55-53 win over 8th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Saturday evening in Golden, Colo.
The Orediggers (9-2, 8-1 RMAC) earn a share of the RMAC title and beat the Lopers (9-2, 8-1 RMAC) for the fourth time in five games and for the third straight time at Campbell Field.
Additionally, UNK sees its 18-game RMAC win streak snapped; its last league setback came two years ago, 37-20, in Golden. This also marks the Lopers second overtime loss this year and they are now 1-4 all-time in extra session games.
Finally, Mines likely will advance to the 24-team NCAA Division II playoffs while the Lopers season is probably over. The playoff field will be announced Sunday afternoon between 2-2:30 p.m. Central time on ESPNews.
In a game that featured 1,015 yards of offense, junior QB Jake Spitzlberger (Lakewood, Colo.) threw a 25-yard TD pass to senior Brendan Liess (McCook) on third down in the third overtime to put UNK ahead, 53-47. Liess, who started at running back last week, finished with career-highs in catches (11) and receiving yards (157) today.
By rule, UNK had to go for two and Spitzlberger’s pass fell incomplete. Mines’ game winning drive started with a pass interference penalty that moved the ball to the Loper 12-yard line.
Facing a 4th and two from the Kearney five, Garcia found junior TE Scott McManigal for not only a first down but the game-tying touchdown. Garcia hit senior h-back Robin Vinnola in the back of the end zone for the game winning PAT.
Among the national passing leaders and a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Garcia went 40 of 61 for 417 yards, four TD’s and no INT’s. He also was sacked just twice after UNK recorded eight sacks in last year’s 24-12 win over Mines.
Garcia completed passes to eight different receivers with Vinnola having 11 grabs for 96 yards and one TD. Sophomore receivers Jerrod Doucet (114) and Cody Renken (92) each made eight catches as well.
UNK, which trailed throughout regulation, scored 10 points in the final 2:30 to force overtime. After an 11 play, 84-yard drive was capped when Spitzlberger threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Liess, the Lopers tried an on-side kick with just over two minutes remaining but it was recovered by Mines.
However, after two running plays went for two yards, Mines threw a pass on third down. Senior OLB Jay Kropp (Grand Island) managed to force a fumble and redshirt freshman corner Kenny Hill (San Diego, Calif.) recovered the loose ball at the Loper 40-yard line.
Five plays later, on 3rd and 12, Spitzlberger threw a 21 yard pass to senior Kyle Kaiser (Broomfield, Colo.) that moved the ball to Mines 30-yard line. After spiking the ball, Spitzlberger threw two passes to Liess for a total of 13 yards. An incomplete pass and a delay of game followed, setting up freshman kicker Michael Gruber (San Diego, Calif.) for a game-tying 39 yard field goal.
Early in the 3rd quarter, after Mines fumbled a kickoff, Gruber missed a 32 yard field goal. This time, however, he nailed it and the two teams had to play extra time.
In the first overtime, UNK got the ball first and needed only two plays to score as junior RB Rustin Dring (Kearney) scampered in from 13 yard out. Mines was then faced with a 3rd and goal from the Loper four; for the game, the ‘Diggers were an impressive 10 of 22 on 3rd downs. Garcia threw a scoring pass to Vinnola and the ensuing PAT tied things at 44.
The Loper defense then held, allowing Mines to gain only two yards in the second overtime. Freshman kicker Paul McVay, 10 of 15 on field goals this year, managed to make a 40 yarder to put the ‘Diggers ahead by three.
UNK thus had a chance to win it with a touchdown but two rushes and an incomplete pass netted just seven yards. Gruber came up big again, this time making a 35-yard field goal to force the third and final extra period.
In his first game since October 23rd, Dring ran the ball 24 times for 213 yards and four TD’s. His career-high of 219 yards came last year vs. Mines. Running for 143 yards after halftime, Dring also had four catches for 34 yards.
Spitzlberger got hot late to finish 22 of 36 for 259 yards, three TD’s and one INT. He also rushed 15 times for 42 yards.
An improved Miens running game was led by 230 pound sophomore Dan Palmer, who had 21 carries for 46 yards and three TD’s (four, six and nine yards).
Junior corner Arthur Hobbs (San Diego, Calif.) had a team-high 10 tackles and two pass breakups with sophomore safety Sam Kuck (Central City) having nine stops. Finally, senior DL Josh Rohde (Eddyville) and junior end Alex Paicurich (Westminster, Colo.) each recorded a sack.
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