D2-CFB Game Preview: South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (0-2) vs. Upper Iowa Peacocks (0-1)

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Kickoff: 12:30 PM CT
Venue: Harms-Eischeid Stadium, Fayette, Iowa
Capacity: ~5,500
Coverage: NSIC Network Live Stream / Local Radio via KQWC (Upper Iowa) & KOTA (Rapid City)

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Mostly sunny

Kickoff Temperature: ~74°F (23°C)

Wind: 6–9 mph from the southwest

Precipitation Chance: <10%

Impact: Ideal early-fall football weather — minimal effect on passing or kicking games

Injury Report

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers

QB1 (Probable) – Healthy after 2-TD performance in opener

RB1 (Probable) – 100+ yards rushing in Week 1, no reported injury

LB1 (Questionable) – Shoulder soreness, game-time decision

Upper Iowa Peacocks

QB1 (Probable) – Expected to start after full participation in practice

WR2 (Out) – Hamstring strain, 2–3 weeks recovery

CB1 (Questionable) – Knee soreness, game-time decision

Series History

All-Time: South Dakota Mines leads 1–0

Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 — Hardrockers won 17–10 in Rapid City, holding Upper Iowa to under 250 total yards

Key Player Matchups

SD Mines QB vs. Upper Iowa Secondary: Hardrockers’ vertical passing game vs. a Peacocks defense that allowed multiple deep completions in Week 1

Upper Iowa RB1 vs. SD Mines Front Seven: Peacocks’ inside run game will test a Hardrockers defense that held Adams State to under 75 rushing yards in 2024 finale

Special Teams: SD Mines’ kicker perfect on FGs this season; Upper Iowa’s return unit averaged 22 yards per kick return in opener

Betting Trends

South Dakota Mines is 6-2 ATS in last 8 games vs. non-conference opponents

Upper Iowa is 2-6 ATS in last 8 home games

The Under has hit in 4 of the last 5 South Dakota Mines games

Game Odds

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers             – 10.5

Upper Iowa Peacocks                                     48.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025