5 Hard-Fought Takeaways From The South Dakota Mines Hardrockers’ 2025 Football Season: The RMAC Gauntlet And Key Player Breakthroughs

The 2025 South Dakota Mines Hardrockers football season concluded with a determined 3-8 overall record (3-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference or RMAC), showcasing the team's grit and resilience in one of NCAA Division II's toughest conferences. As of late December 2025, the focus shifts from the hard-fought battles on the gridiron to the future, with Head Coach Charlie Flohr and the Hardrockers preparing to build on the foundation laid this past year, especially the final-game winning streak. The season was defined by challenging matchups, a promising recruiting class, and the emergence of several key playmakers on both sides of the ball in Rapid City, S.D.

The Hardrockers, representing the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, faced a brutal schedule that included perennial powerhouses and intense regional rivalries, all while managing the demanding academic rigors of a top-tier engineering school. Their performance in the RMAC standings, though finishing in the middle-to-lower tier, demonstrated moments of brilliance that hint at a stronger future for the program.

The 2025 South Dakota Mines Hardrockers Football Program at a Glance

The Hardrockers program is steeped in tradition, and the 2025 season continued to write its history in the competitive RMAC. The team plays its home games at O'Harra Stadium, a vital hub for the Rapid City community.

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• Team Nickname: Hardrockers
• Conference: Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)
• Division: NCAA Division II
• 2025 Overall Record: 3-8 (Final Streak: W1)
• 2025 RMAC Record: 3-6
• Head Coach: Charlie Flohr (Appointed December 16, 2019)
• Offensive Coordinator: Ryan Freeman
• Home Field: O'Harra Stadium, Rapid City, S.D.

Key Roster Entities and Emerging Stars from the 2025 Campaign

The 2025 Hardrockers roster featured a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting new talent. The team's cumulative statistics pointed to several players who took on significant roles throughout the season. Key players who contributed to the Hardrockers' efforts included:

• Jadon Lemmons (Offense)
• Tyree Beasley (Offense)
• Gage Bohannon (Offense)
• Kane Metts-Terrell (Offense)
• Jarin Allen (Offense)
• Ryan Pryce (Offense)
• JJ Nelson (Offense)
• Gunner Rohloff (Defense)
• Aundreay Hamilton (Defense)
• Tucker Vann (Defense)
• Mason Breen (Defense)
• Sam Eccles (Special Teams/Kicker)

The Gauntlet of the RMAC: A Conference Review

The RMAC is notoriously competitive, and the 2025 standings reflect the high level of play the Hardrockers faced weekly. The conference was dominated by top-tier teams, making every RMAC game a significant challenge for the South Dakota Mines program.

The Hardrockers finished behind the conference leaders, which included the undefeated CSU-Pueblo (9-0 RMAC record) and the formidable Chadron State Eagles (8-1 RMAC record). Other strong teams in the league were Western Colorado (7-2) and both Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines, who finished with identical 5-4 conference records. This competitive environment, featuring teams like New Mexico Highlands University, ensures that the Hardrockers are constantly tested against Division II's best.

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The season began with a tough non-conference loss to Michigan Tech, followed by a defeat against Upper Iowa, setting a challenging tone for the RMAC schedule. However, the team showed resilience by securing three conference victories, demonstrating their ability to compete with mid-tier RMAC programs.

The Intense Rivalries: Battles for Bragging Rights and Trophies

For the Hardrockers, the season is often defined by two specific rivalry matchups that carry extra weight and historical significance: the battle for the Eagle-Rock Trophy and the unique "Mines" showdown.

The Eagle-Rock Trophy: South Dakota Mines vs. Chadron State

The rivalry between South Dakota Mines and the Chadron State Eagles is the Hardrockers’ second-most played rivalry, dating all the way back to 1905. The annual matchup is played for the coveted Eagle-Rock Trophy, a symbol of regional supremacy.

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In the 2025 contest, the Chadron State Eagles were able to defeat South Dakota Mines, reclaiming the Eagle-Rock Trophy and staying perfect in RMAC play. This loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Hardrocker faithful, especially since the Hardrockers had previously held the trophy. The intensity of this rivalry remains a major draw for both fan bases and is a crucial game on the calendar every year.

The "Mines" Showdown: The Battle with Colorado School of Mines

Another significant annual contest is the matchup against the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. Often referred to simply as the "Mines" rivalry, it pits two of the nation's premier engineering schools against each other on the football field. This rivalry, though historically dominated by Colorado Mines (Orediggers held a 7-game winning streak as of 2017), is always a hard-nosed, physical affair.

The 2025 edition saw the Colorado School of Mines outlast the Hardrockers with a 24-14 victory at O'Harra Stadium. The game was a testament to the defensive effort of the Hardrockers, with players like Gunner Rohloff and Aundreay Hamilton contributing to the tough defensive stance against a strong Orediggers team.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook and the Flohr Era

Head Coach Charlie Flohr, who took the helm in December 2019, continues to steer the program with a focus on competitive improvement within the RMAC. The 2025 season provided valuable experience, particularly for the younger players on the roster. The team's ability to secure a win in the final game of the season provides positive momentum heading into the offseason and spring training.

A major boost for the program's future is the announcement of the 2025 Signing Class, which welcomed 23 new student-athletes. Coach Flohr praised the class, emphasizing their potential to integrate with a returning roster that is expected to feature a strong core of experienced players. The infusion of new talent is critical for improving the team's depth and challenging the top-tier of the RMAC standings in the coming years.

The focus for the Hardrockers now shifts to strength and conditioning, player development, and integrating the new recruits. The goal is clear: to leverage the competitive experience gained in the 2025 season to climb the RMAC standings, reclaim the Eagle-Rock Trophy, and establish the South Dakota Mines football program as a consistent Division II contender.