RAPID CITY - Lukas Munsell racked up 256 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns and the South Dakota Mines defense posted its first shutout since 1995 as the Hardrockers whitewashed Trinity Bible, N.D., 29-0 Saturday.

The win was important to a Mines squad that started only four upper classmen for the Hardrockers' season opener.

"It's really important," said Munsell, a senior from Mills, Wyo., who had 133 rushing and 75 receiving yards.

"It lets our young guys grow up and get some confidence. We can build on that in practice and then we'll be able to go on all cylinders."

Head coach Dan Kratzer couldn't have scripted a better start for his young charges.

Mines stopped Trinity Bible on its first possession, forcing a punt that Munsell returned to the Lions' 36-yard line. Four plays later Munsell dove to paydirt on an 8-yard reverse to stake the Hardrockers to a quick 7-0 lead.

Two series later Munsell hauled in a throw from sophomore quarterback Jason Beilstein for a 33-yard TD.

Mines' lead grew to 20-0 when junior running back Joshua Jones powered his way into the end zone to cap a 4-yard run.

The Hardrocker defense kept Trinity's offense in check most of the night, allowing only 88 first-half yards. Mines focused its attention on the Lions' bruising running back, senior Sannon Norick, and pressuring quarterback Dusty Hess enough to keep the Trinity signal caller from throwing the ball down field.

"We stuck to our assignments and did our jobs," Mines safety Tom Lunzman, a freshman, said. "We knew they were 50-50 run-pass, so we had to read our keys and formations."

Lunzman will long remember his first collegiate game. The Gretna, Neb., native intercepted a Hess aerial and returned the ball 40 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Lunzman's TD was the second defensive score of the game for Mines. It came on the heels of a safety that came when Trinity running back Ricky Guittierrez was tackled in his end zone by a host of Hardrockers.

The defensive scores also helped offset a Mines offense that drove the ball inside the Lions' 20 on four occasions only to come away without a point.

The Hardrockers missed two field goals and had a high snap lead to an 18-yard loss that ended in a punt. Then, on the heels of a thrilling 46-yard run by Munsell, Mines turned the ball over on downs after reaching the Trinity 9.

"When we were fresh and healthy, we were pretty strong," Kratzer said. "We didn't respond very well in the second half."

Still, Kratzer has a win to build on for the first time since coming to Mines in 2005.

Munsell, who also had 48 return yards, carried a huge offensive load, and Mines' defense got its first shutout since 1995 when the Hardrockers blanked Trinity 54-0. Mines allowed the Lions only 147 yards of total offense, with Norick rushing for 68 of those.

Jones, a power runner that counters Munsell's quick and shifty running style, carried 14 times for 74 yards. Beilstein completed 8-of-17 throws for 132 yards.

"A win makes them feel like there's an opportunity ahead of them," Kratzer said. "Confidence is a funny thing. … Hopefully, we built a little confidence."

Mines (1-0) travels to Lawrence, Kan., to play Haskell Indian Nations University on Saturday, Sept. 8.