GAME NOTES (PDF)

ARCATA, Calif. – Last season, Humboldt State football hammered the Hardrockers of South Dakota Mines to the tune of 53-0. But Lumberjack Head Coach Rob Smith dismisses that game and says Saturday's Great Northwest Athletic Conference meeting will be a real challenge.
 
The Green and Gold look to stifle the Hardrockers' homecoming celebration at O'Harra Stadium in just the second meeting between the two programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
 
Standing in the Jacks way will be the returning GNAC Newcomer of the Year, quarterback Trent McKinney. The signal caller from Mililani, Hawaii, presents a dual threat unlike anything HSU has seen this season.
 
"It is tough to game plan for a player like Trent McKinney," said Smith. "You can't simulate what he does with your scout team quarterbacks."
 
McKinney leads the GNAC's top-ranked offense, which averages 486.2 yards per game. The former Division I quarterback is tied with Jacks Robert Webber with a league-best 10 offensive touchdowns, six by air and four rushing. He led the conference with 33 touchdowns in 2014.
 
The Hardrockers enter Saturday's conference showdown riding a three-game winning streak after collecting wins against Black Hills State, Wisconsin-River Falls and Lyons College. Mines is 2-0 at home this season after losing all six games in O'Harra Stadium a season ago.
 
"We are going to have our hands full," said Smith. "This is a long trip. We lose a Thursday practice as we travel. It will be a long trip, the weather will not be great according to the forecast, and you are playing in a hostile situation on their homecoming."
 
Mines has found success on the offensive end, but is still searching for a defensive identity. The unit led by senior defensive back John Tyler ranks sixth in total defense, seventh in passing defense and sixth in scoring defense.
 
"We are going to set an offensive plan and get them prepared for what they are going to see," said Smith. "Watching them on tape it is easy to see this is a very different South Dakota Mines team."
 
The Jacks boast NCAA Division II's top scoring offense (52.3 points per game) led by Webber, the nation's most efficient passer, under center. Smith believes a well-positioned bye week will help the unit continue its success.
 
"We have been focusing on getting some of our players back, but some of them won't be back on the field until the Azusa Pacific game," said Smith. "The bye week was needed by everyone – coaches and players."
 
HSU needed to take advantage of its week off with a grueling schedule still remaining.  The Green and Gold play five of its remaining seven games on the road and its next three opponents have a combined 10-2 overall record.
 
Notable returners from the injury list are guard Josh Hanson and defensive lineman Branden Hester. Hanson was injured during the season opener and Smith expects him to start Saturday at Mines.