RAPID CITY, S.D. – Western Oregon University's football team overcame a snow-covered field and below freezing temperatures en route to earning an 18-15 victory over South Dakota Mines in Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) action Saturday at O'Harra Field, as the Wolves extended their streak of winning seasons to nine straight years.

The Wolves (6-5, 4-2 GNAC) accumulated a season-high 212 yards on the ground, as Nathaniel Penaranda tallied a season-high 143 yards rushing to go along with Joe Harris' 86-yard effort. Ryan Bergman was 14-for-30 passing with 146 yards, while Paul Revis led the core of receivers with 75 yards on six catches.

South Dakota Mines (2-9, 1-5 GNAC) were led offensively by Trent McKinney with 255 yards on 23-for-50 passing with three interceptions. The Hardrockers registered a combined 458 yards of total offense with 324 coming in the air versus 134 on the ground.

Defensively, Western Oregon would get a combined eight tackles each from Austin Spencer and Kraig Akins with Tyler Johnson, Breeon Moreno, and Trebriel Larry each recording an interception.

The Wolves would open the scoring with a 10-yard passing touchdown from Bergman to Phillip Fenumial with 7:38 on the clock, as Bergman registered his first of two touchdowns on the day.

South Dakota Mines would pull ahead 34 seconds later when McKinney connected with Marcus Sanchez on a 27-yard passing touchdown followed by the extra point for a 7-6 lead with 7:04 on the clock.

Twelve seconds into the second quarter, Western Oregon would get a 66-yard touchdown run from Harris to pull ahead by five points (12-7) with 14:48 remaining.

The Wolves would take its five-point advantage into halftime and through the third quarter before South Dakota pulled ahead nearly five minutes into the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Kevin Thompson, as the Hardrockers pulled ahead 13-12 following SDSMT's failed two-point conversion.

Almost two minutes later, Bergman found Revis on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 8:46 remaining that put the Wolves ahead 18-13 on Bergman's 58th career touchdown pass.

In the game's final few minutes, South Dakota Mines was driving toward the potential game-winning touchdown when the Wolves' defense stepped up the pressure and caused a turnover on downs before registering a fumble recovery on the Hardrockers' final drive of the game.

Despite a safety by Western Oregon, South Dakota Mines could not muster any more offense resulting in an 18-15 victory for Western Oregon.

Western Oregon will now turn its attention to spring practice, as the Wolves finished in a three-way tie for second place in the final GNAC standings.