Las Vegas, New Mexico - The New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys open the home portion of the 2023 RMAC schedule hosting South Dakota Mines at 12:00 pm Saturday. The Cowboys enter the contest with a record of 2-1 overall and 1-0 in RMAC play after downing Fort Lewis College last week 31-17 in Durango. South Dakota Mines comes into the contest at 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Series: Saturday's game in Las Vegas marks the seventh meeting all-time between the two schools with South Dakota Mines holding a 5-1 edge in the previous meetings. The Hardrockers defeated NMHU last year 41-27 in Rapid City. The Cowboys lone win in the series came in 2018 by a 53-52 count in a game played in Las Vegas.
Scouting South Dakota Mines: The Hardrockers are led by Head Coach Charlie Flohr. The Dakota State University graduate is in his fourth year at the helm at South Dakota Mines with a career record of 16-13. Through three games this year the Hardrockers are scoring 28.3 points per game while giving up 26.7 per game.
"South Dakota Mines is a very physical team, they do not beat themselves," said NMHU Coach Hudson. "They have a great work ethic and they are very disciplined. Coach Flohr is one of the classiest guys in the league."
Hudson File: Head Coach
Ron Hudson is in his second season at the helm of the Cowboys. He was introduced as the Head Coach at NMHU on January 6th, 2022. Hudson is a graduate of Muskingum College (OH) where he was a four-year starting center for the Fighting Muskies football team.
Last Outing: New Mexico Highlands went on the road and picked up a 31-17 win in the RMAC opener last Saturday afternoon in Durango against Fort Lewis College. Once again the Cowboys were very balanced offensively as they gained 210 yards rushing the ball and 162 yards passing. Shawntay Mills carried the ball 12 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns for NMHU. Defensively the Cowboys continued their physical play limiting the Skyhawks to a field goal late in the second quarter enroute to a 17-3 lead at the half. Each team scored 14 points in the second half.
"I am really proud of the young players on the team. We were down a number of players and they stepped up and kept their composure at Fort Lewis," said Coach Hudson. "There were a lot of potential distractions but they just rolled off their backs. It was a good road win and I think we matured as a team."
Mills By The Numbers: Three weeks into the season, Shawntay Mills is second in the RMAC in rushing with 243 yards on 48 attempts averaging just over five yards per carry. The Raleigh, NC, native has a pair of touchdowns on the young season as well.
"Shawntay is a very physical, mature back," said Coach Hudson. "No job is too small for him as he enjoys doing the little things to help the team win. He is so hard to tackle, guys do not want to tackle him in the fourth quarter."
Speaking Defensively: NMHU is fifth in the RMAC allowing 29.0 points per game. The Cowboys have forced eight takeaways (seven fumbles and one interception) through three games.
"We are not a team of stars," observed Coach Hudson. "It's about our culture. We want to be more physical than the other team. We want to gang tackle and have 11 guys around the football."
Roster Break Down: This year's edition of the Cowboy's roster features 39 freshmen, 14 sophomores, 24 juniors, and 22 Seniors.
13 different states are represented on this year's roster with California (32), New Mexico (31), and Texas (16) leading the way.
Up Next: It's Homecoming next Saturday in Las Vegas as the Cowboys host Adams State University at Sanchez Family Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1:00 pm. A complete list of Homecoming activities can be found
here.
Home Schedule: The Cowboys will play six games in the friendly confines of the Sanchez Family Stadium in Las Vegas in 2023. Season tickets for the upcoming season are available now at
NMHU Tickets.
Keep Up With The Cowboys: For all the latest news on NMHU Football, log on to
NMHUAthletics.com and be sure to follow the team on X
@NMHUFootball.
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