SPEARFISH, S.D. – After a one-year absence, the Homestake Trophy is back at Black Hills State University.
The Yellow Jackets defeated rival South Dakota School of Mines 42-30 in the 129th meeting between the two schools after Ward Anderson threw for 412 yards and five touchdowns while Luke Whalen had three touchdown catches.
The Yellow Jackets jumped on the scoreboard first with a two-yard touchdown run from Phydell Paris and Diego Carstens PAT for the 7-0 lead with 7:31 remaining in the first quarter. The Green and Gold again found the end zone for a 14-0 lead as Anderson hit Whalen for a short three-yard pass.
However, the Hardrockers proved a route wasn't going to be had easy as Ben Broeker ran into the end zone on a three yard run.
Black Hills State answered back immediately with a Paris 33-yard touchdown reception on a four-play 60 yard drive. South Dakota Mines continued the high scoring affair with an eight play 75 yard drive of their own, ending with a Daniel Ziegler 19-yard reception for a touchdown. The PAT failed making it a 21-13 Yellow Jacket lead.
On the very next BHSU possession, Anderson found Anthony Eboreime for a 62-yard touchdown, part of his 194 yards receiving on the day, to open the 28-13 lead with 9:39 remaining in the second quarter. The score would remain the same heading into intermission.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Hardrockers managed a field goal, a 31 yarder from Devon Jones.
After Anderson was intercepted by Traevon Beddard, the Hardrockers used three plays to travel 60 yards for a 28-yard Rashad Ridley touchdown reception to bring the score to 28-23 with 9:33 remaining.
With time winding down in the third quarter, Anderson again found his favorite target from the 2013 season, a nine-yard touchdown pass to Whalen to give a much-needed boost to the Yellow Jackets.
After a fourth-and-one from the South Dakota Mines one yard line stalled for the Yellow Jackets, the Hardrockers orchestrated a 13-play 99-yard drive to get within five points at 35-30 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game. Evan Sanders, one of three quarterbacks used by Mines, found Tim Crenshaw for a 14-yard touchdown.
Taking the ensuing kickoff from a yard deep in the end zone, Erick Hairston-Belcher could only make it out to the Black Hills State 10-yard line, before getting tripped up to set up a possible 90-yard drive for the Yellow Jackets.
Black Hills State did exactly what it needed to on the drive, eating up 4:58 on 11 plays ending in the third Whalen touchdown reception, this time a four yarder to open up the 42-30 lead.
With time running out, the Hardrockers were able to get to the Black Hills State four-yard line setting up a first-and-goal situation. A holding penalty backed South Dakota Mines up to the 14 yard line. Four straight incomplete passes followed, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball back with just under two minutes remaining. After Anderson found Whalen for a six-yard connection, Black Hills State could get into the victory formation in claiming the Homestake Trophy.
The Yellow Jackets remain in Spearfish next Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest against Fort Lewis during the Swarm Days celebration.
Quick Hits
- The Yellow Jackets had 555 yards of total offense, the most yards since moving to NCAA Division II
- 412 yards came from Ward Anderson's arm while 143 yards came on the ground
- South Dakota Mines countered with 531 yards of total offense, 427 through the air and 104 rushing
- Anthony Eboreime had a game-high 194 yards receiving
- Phydell Paris had 92 yards receiving and 90 yards rushing for 182 all-purpose yards
- Diego Carstens was a perfect 6-for-6 on point after attempts and is now 7-for-7 on the season
- Michael Oberle and Trent Boner led the Yellow Jackets with nine tackles apiece while Steven Soderstrom and Cody Benne each added seven
