Rapid City, South Dakota - New Mexico Highlands struck first Saturday afternoon, but South Dakota Mines scored 21 unanswered points spanning the second and third quarters to hand the Cowboys a 34-23 loss at O'Harra Stadium.

The loss dropped New Mexico Highlands to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while South Dakota Mines improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the RMAC.

The Cowboys put together an impressive opening drive, marching 75 yards on 14 plays and taking 7:44 off the clock. Kadyn Parr capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Releford, and Daniel Estrada's extra point gave New Mexico Highlands a 7-0 lead with 7:16 remaining in the opening quarter.

South Dakota Mines answered with a touchdown and a field goal before the end of the quarter to take a 10-7 advantage.

The Hardrockers added another field goal midway through the second quarter to stretch the lead to 13-7, but the Cowboys needed just two plays to answer. Parr connected with Brian Spotwood II for a 65-yard touchdown with 6:42 remaining in the half, pulling New Mexico Highlands even at 13-13.

South Dakota Mines responded with a 13-play, 88-yard drive, scoring on a one-yard run with 16 seconds remaining to take a 20-13 advantage into halftime.

The Hardrockers took control in the third quarter, scoring on touchdown passes of 14 and 33 yards to extend their advantage to 34-13.

New Mexico Highlands stopped the run with a 35-yard Estrada field goal with 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Cowboys then put together a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive early in the fourth. Collin Stucki connected with Asaiah Smith for an 11-yard touchdown, and Estrada's extra point cut the deficit to 34-23 with 10:50 remaining.

Neither team scored the rest of the way.

Parr completed 12 of 19 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, while Stucki was 6-of-12 for 79 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys finished with 268 yards through the air.

Spotwood's 65-yard touchdown reception led the New Mexico Highlands receiving corps. Ryan Hamilton caught three passes for 54 yards, Kerya Powell had two receptions for 44 yards, and Releford finished with four catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

New Mexico Highlands was held to 79 rushing yards on 26 attempts after entering the game averaging more than 270 yards per game on the ground. Stucki led the Cowboys with 25 rushing yards, while Parr added 24.

Defensively, Ian Fishburn led New Mexico Highlands with eight tackles, while Dontaivious Nelson and Vili Fano recorded seven tackles apiece. Kaleb Sells finished with five tackles, including a tackle for loss. Clinton Mahoni recovered a South Dakota Mines fumble.

The teams combined for 23 penalties and 233 penalty yards on the afternoon.  New Mexico Highlands was flagged 11 times for 116 yards, while South Dakota Mines was penalized 12 times for 117 yards. 

The Cowboys finished with 347 yards of total offense, while South Dakota Mines totaled 474 yards.

New Mexico Highlands converted 6-of-13 third-down opportunities and scored on all three of its trips into the red zone.

Next up, New Mexico Highlands returns to historic Las Vegas next Saturday when the Cowboys host Western Colorado for Homecoming at Sanchez Family Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

NOTES:

• South Dakota Mines now leads the all-time series with New Mexico Highlands, 8-2.

• Quarterback Kadyn Parr has recorded 200-plus yards of total offense in four of the Cowboys' five games this season.

• Through the first five games of the season, the Cowboys have rushed for 1,288 yards.

• The Cowboys played three road games during September, logging more than 2,800 miles of travel.

• New Mexico Highlands hosts Western Colorado for Homecoming next Saturday evening, marking the first time since 2012 that the Mountaineers will provide the opposition for the Cowboys' Homecoming game.