POCATELLO, ID.—New names, new faces, and turnover are among the phrases that correlate with the 2015 Black Hills State University football team. The 2014 senior class accounted for a total of 472 tackles. Gone are 2014 leading tacklers Trent Boner, Steven Soderstrom and Michael Oberle from graduation.
In is first year defensive coordinator Anthony Kerr, who will look to improve a unit that finished last among RMAC teams in total defense and pass defense.
Out is 2014 senior quarterback Ward Anderson, in is true freshman Ryan Hommel. First year offensive coordinator Evan Eastburn will look to keep the wheels turning on a group that finished fourth in total offense among RMAC teams.
The combination of first year BHSU players and staff put their talents to test at NCAA Division I opponent Idaho State University on Saturday evening.
First game jitters and bus legs were evident throughout the opening minutes of the contest for BHSU, but the men in green and white minimized the ISU big plays as time progressed.
Despite minimizing on mistakes and ISU big plays, the nationally-ranked Division I competition was too much for BHSU in a 55-0 loss.
The loss gives BHSU a 0-1, 0-0 RMAC record.
Idaho State 55, BHSU 0
The Yellow Jackets won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving ISU the ball to begin things. On the fourth play of the opening drive, ISU quarterback connected with Madison Mangum on a 41-yard touchdown pass to give them a 7-0 lead with 13:41 remaining in the first half.
True freshman Ryan Hommel's interception on the ensuing drive set up Sander's nine yard touchdown pass to Mangum to make the score 14-0 with 13:14 remaining in the first quarter.
The game's first hits seemed to knock the butterflies out of the BHSU players from that point. The big ISU plays seemed occurred less frequently as time progressed.
Sanders continued to have a big day with three touchdown passes to help ISU take a 42-0 lead into halftime.
The BHSU defense found a rhythm in the second half as they only surrendered one score. ISU took a 48-0 lead when CJ Langlow blocked a punt and returned it 36 yards to the end zone with 12:42 remaining in the third quarter. ISU failed to convert on the PAT.
The Bengals closed the game's scoring when CJ Hatchett hit Tanner Gueller on a nine yard touchdown pass to extend their lead to 55-0 with 8:31 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Hommel finished his collegiate debut 11-of-29 passing for 76 yards. Paris led all BHSU rushers and receivers with 43 yards on the ground, and four catches for 20 yards.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Saturday, September 12 at South Dakota School of Mines. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
