Redshirt freshman running back Josh Snyder (21) runs past a defender during Colorado School of Mines football team’s annual spring game on April 11.
Much like Pokémon, a key aspect of college football is evolution.
And the only way for either Pokémon or college football players to evolve is to train and compete.
Defensive back Bryce Bailey, in gray, stops wide receiver Nick Stone from catching a touchdown pass during Colorado School of Mines’ April 11 spring game.
During its April 11 spring game, the Colorado School of Mines football team showcased how much they’ve evolved over the winter offseason and spring practices. Thanks to a unique scoring system, the offense beat the defense 34-29 after a successful fourth-down conversion that ultimately set up a last-second field goal.
Based on what the Orediggers said afterward, they felt confident they’d improved significantly since their last game on Nov. 15. Now, their goal is to reach their “final evolution,” so to speak, before their Aug. 29 season opener against Western Oregon.
“It’s going to be a great year,” defensive lineman Jacob Sanders said. “We have a couple of big games early on. More than ever, we’ll be prepared for those big games this year. … More than just trending in the right direction, we’ve actually taken steps, and we’re a completely better team than we were last year.”
Reaching their second evolution
A Colorado School of Mines defender, in gray, faces off with one of his teammates during the April 11 spring game.
Among those steps is a new strength and conditioning regimen under new head coach of sports performance Jordan Simmons.
The Orediggers said they’re getting up and starting training much earlier than in previous years. They also have a different mentality, as Sanders described, by not settling for “just doing enough” but “attacking everything with max effort.”
Sanders, a redshirt sophomore, said the spring game seemed to be a perfect demonstration of that.
The offense got out to an explosive start, taking a 22-8 lead, but the defense was “able to come back and chip away” and eventually took a slight lead late in the fourth quarter. And, likewise, the offense showed its resolve and scored on the final drive to win the game.
Being able to play longer and, crucially, stay healthier throughout the season is key to a better Mines football team, Sanders said.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Joseph Capra, in green, throws the ball downfield during the Colorado School of Mines football team’s annual spring game on April 11.
Joseph Capra, a redshirt sophomore who was starting quarterback last year, said both he individually and his team faced “ups and downs” last year. Star wide receiver Flynn Schiele was injured in the season opener, and Mines struggled to close out games.
Ultimately, Mines ended its 2025 season 7-4 overall and 5-4 in RMAC play. It was fourth place in the RMAC standings and missed the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second year in a row.
“There were a couple games I wish we got back,” Capra said, “and there were a couple plays in those games that I wish we would’ve hit (so) we would’ve won.
“But we were a good team last year,” he continued, “and I think we’re going to be even better this year.”
Training for their final evolution
Capra specifically praised the defensive line’s improvement over the offseason, saying, “They’re getting after it. There’s times when we (quarterbacks) don’t have more than a couple of seconds to throw the ball.”
Once Aug. 29 rolls around, Capra and Sanders expected the Mines defenders would be even better. Sanders said a lot of younger players on the defense are talented and ready to step up.
Redshirt sophomore running back Max Barnes, in white, runs toward a group of defenders during Colorado School of Mines football team’s annual spring game April 11.
Sanders also said the offensive line will have a lot of talented first-year starters as well.
On the whole, Sanders believed the Mines offense would “soar to new heights this season,” based on the chemistry and hard work he’s seen them develop over the offseason.
“As a defensive player, you kind of have a little animosity toward them,” he continued, “but it’s actually been really cool to see how much they’ve grown and how much work they’ve put in to be successful.”
Like Sanders, Capra also said the Mines offense is going to play fast and well-coordinated this season. Aside from Schiele, all the major playmakers are back this season, and Capra said they’re continuing to build on their already solid chemistry.
Both Capra and Sanders expected that, this fall, the Mines offense would be racking up touchdowns while the defense would be forcing major stops and turnovers.
“It’s going to be a rowdy atmosphere, Week 1 against Western Oregon,” Capra said.
Sanders agreed, saying, “I think our future’s looking very bright.”