RAPID CITY, S.D. – Lucas Ruiz Diaz drilled a 25-yard field goal with 2:46 to go that proved to be the difference in a 13-10 win for Colorado Mesa over the South Dakota Mines Hardorckers in the final game of the regular season at O'Harra Stadium in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.
 
The go-ahead field goal was setup by a drive at the Mavericks own 30-yardline and went 62 yards all the way down to the South Dakota Mines 8-yardline before stalling out and setting up the winning kick. The Mavericks got a 19-yard rush by Darick Holmes and an 18-yard catch and run by Lionell McConnell were the big chunk plays on the drive.
 
McConnell finished with a game-high 108-yards on eight catches in the game.
 
Ruiz Diaz started the scoring off in the first quarter as well. The Montrose native connected on a 38-yard field goal with 5:13 remaining to give the Mavericks the early 3-0 lead.
 
With 12:38 to play in the second quarter, Karst Hunter found Dwight Blakey on a 77-yard touchdown pass to put the Mavericks up 10-0.
 
The Hardrockers scored the next 10 points unanswered before Ruiz Diaz' late game-winner.
 
In the game, Karst Hunter set the single-season passing yards record with 2,486 after going 21-of-36 for 299 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He eclipsed the 2,465 yards by Eystin Salum in 2017.
 
The Maverick defense, like the entire season, was once again extremely stingy. They allowed just 228 total yards by South Dakota Mines with an even 114 yards passing and 114 yards rushing.
 
Siaosi Finau finished with a game-high 11 tackles while Deeandra Ervin had nine tackles. Michael Gayden finished with two sacks and a forced fumble.
 
The Mavericks finish the regular season with an 8-2 record, there first eight-win campaign since 2017.
 
Colorado Mesa will await the word of the NCAA Selection committee as to whether they will qualify for the NCAA Super Region IV playoffs. The selection show is tomorrow (Sunday) at 3pm (MT) on NCAA.com.