No. 1 Colorado School of Mines learns first opponent of NCAA Division II playoffs | Colorado Sunshine
Where good news shines
Top-ranked Colorado School of Mines (11-0) learned its first opponent in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
No. 16 Augustana University beat Minnesota State 51-24 to earn the right to face the Orediggers at Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden on Saturday. Kickoff time has yet to be announced.
Colorado School of Mines earned a first-round bye.
Augustana (11-1) competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Vikings’ lone loss was 14-12 at Wayne State on Oct. 28.
This is the second time in Augustana’s program history it has advanced in the postseason. The Vikings average 34 points per game while allowing 17 points per game.
Jarod Epperson is their workhorse running back, piling up over 1,000 yards rushing. Quarterback Casey Bauman goes 6-foot-7, 225 pounds and began his career at Montana State. He averages 220 passing yards per game with 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski was named NSIC Coach of the Year. He’s in his 11th season as the Vikings’ coach.
Tickets for the second round of the postseason are available at mines.universitytickets.com. Adults get in for $15. Kids from 6-18 are $5.
(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions encouraged through Denver Gazette sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)
Colorado School of Mines football players go through a two-minute-drill during a practice on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
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