By: Audrey Bloomquist, Assistant Commissioner for Championships and External Engagement

GOLDEN, COLO. — One of the country's fastest growing football social media platforms, D1 Rejects, is headed to Golden, Colorado this Saturday, August 29, as its "Small School Saturday" live show features the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers as they open their 2026 campaign against non-conference opponent, Western Oregon.

The Small School Saturday pre-game show will air live from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the noon kickoff on the east end of Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium. Commissioner Danielle Harris will join the show at 10:05 a.m. for a live interview and preview of the RMAC football season. The broadcast is available via the D1 Rejects YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@division1rejects/streams, and streamed live on X, Facebook and FloCollege.

"We are thrilled to bring Small Schools Saturday’s pre-game show to the doorstep of one of our member institutions," said Danielle Harris, RMAC Commissioner. "It's fitting that our visit to Golden coincides with Mines Football Alumni Day, as this is exactly the kind of gameday atmosphere and community pride that makes the RMAC special. We look forward to working with Small School Saturday’s team to help kick off the RMAC football season in style."

Similar to ESPN's College GameDay, Small School Saturday offers an entertaining, high-energy atmosphere for DII, DIII and NAIA campuses across the country, featuring many of the same College GameDay elements. Each live show includes two hours of previews, highlights, interviews, and fan engagement. This weekend, Colorado School of Mines fans are encouraged to attend the live broadcast during the pregame tailgate and gather behind the set, bringing signs, gear and energy to kick off the Orediggers’ first home game day of the 2026 season.

"This Colorado Mines team combines an incredible on-field product with seemingly having the most fun in all of college football, and we can't WAIT to showcase this program, these people, and this place to the country as the Orediggers kick off their 2026 season,” said Kobe Manzo, D1 Rejects Founder and Host. “Whether it's a bellyflop contest in fall camp or making a run in the RMAC and the playoffs this fall, we'll be hard pressed to find a more exciting group, and our show will focus on telling their story the right way."

Under head Coach, Bob Stitt, Colorado School of Mines enters the season ranked third in the RMAC preseason poll with six student-athletes on the preseason team, including running back Max Barnes and tight end Black Smotherman, who both return after Second Team All-RMAC seasons a year ago.

To learn more about D1 Rejects and Small School Saturday, visit https://www.d1rejects.com/about-us, and download the Small School HQ app to follow your favorite RMAC football teams.

About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports, and its members have earned 71 team national championships since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.