Venue & Game Info
Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 8:00 p.m. MDT / 10:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: O’Harra Stadium, 501 E. St. Joseph St., Rapid City, SD
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: ~6,000
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Local Radio
Weather Forecast (Rapid City, SD – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly clear skies
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling to ~64°F by the 4th quarter
Wind: Light SE at 4–6 mph
Humidity: ~40%
Impact: Ideal football weather — no significant effect on passing or kicking.
Injury Report
Michigan Tech: No major injuries reported; QB Alex Fries and WR Ethan Champney both available after strong 2024 campaigns.
South Dakota Mines: No significant absences; QB Jake Martinelli and WR Mason Galbreath both healthy.
Both teams enter Week 1 at full strength — expect full playbooks and first‑choice lineups.
Recent Team Form
Team
Michigan Tech Huskies
Last 5 Games: W 32–28 @ Saginaw Valley St., L 0–20 vs Grand Valley St., W 20–7 @ Roosevelt, W 39–9 vs Northern Michigan, L 13–51 @ Ferris St.
Notable Trends: Finished 7–4; defense allowed 14.6 ppg in wins, 40.3 ppg in losses.
Team
South Dakota Mines Hardrockers
Last 5 Games: W 44–6 @ Adams St., W 17–14 vs Colorado Mesa, W 24–17 @ Chadron St., L 24–35 @ Western Colorado, L 20–45 @ Colorado Mines
Notable Trends: Finished 6–5; offense averaged 28.6 ppg; 3–2 in last 5 games.
Series History
All-Time: Michigan Tech leads 1–0
Last Meeting: Sept. 5, 2024 – Michigan Tech 52, South Dakota Mines 50 (4 OT) in Houghton, MI
Notable: The 2024 meeting was the longest game in MTU history, featuring a combined 1,000+ yards of offense and 12 total TDs.
Betting Trends
Michigan Tech: 4‑1 SU in last 5 games; 3‑2 ATS in that span.
South Dakota Mines: 3‑2 SU in last 5; 2‑3 ATS.
Over has hit in 4 of MTU’s last 6 non‑conference games.
Last year’s meeting went Over by 43 points (total 102).
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Offensive firepower from both QBs in 2024 meeting.
Defensive adjustments likely after last year’s shootout.
MTU’s slight edge in pass protection and turnover margin.
Edges:
Lean: Michigan Tech ‑3.5 (slight value)
Total: Lean Under 58.5 — expecting fewer possessions and more balanced play‑calling than last year’s track meet.
Game Odds
Michigan Tech Huskies – 3.5
South Dakota Mines Hardrockers 58.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
