Setting the Stage: With three teams tied for first place in the RMAC with a 5-2 record, and four others with a 4-2 record, today's matchup is an important step for the Yellow Jackets as one of the 5-2 teams, facing a 4-2 CSU-Pueblo squad who sits 4-3 overall. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 27-0 setback at Western State last weekend. The Yellow Jackets tallied a season-low 268 yards of total offense and just 101 yards rushing, well below the season average of 213.7 yards. Black Hills State is 3-0 on its home turf in 2016 including wins over Dixie State, New Mexico Highlands and then No. 13 Colorado Mesa.
Last Meeting: CSU-Pueblo prevailed 42-10 in last season's meeting in Lyle Hare Stadium as CSUP tallied 459 yards of offense compared to 210 from the Yellow Jackets. The lone touchdown for the Green and Gold was a five-yard pass from Ryan Hommel to Liam Heaney, to cap a 13-play, 86-yard drive. The other three points came off the foot of Trey Fleming on a 27-yard field goal.
About CSU-Pueblo: Sitting at 4-3 overall and 4-2 in the RMAC, the preseason pick to win the RMAC has been fighting for first place since day one of the season when the ThunderWolves fell 57-21 to Colorado Mines. Sitting a half game out of first place after winning 4-of-5 games including a 33-12 victory last weekend against Fort Lewis. Rex Dausin quarterbacks the offense with a 163.9 yard per game average and completes 61.6 percent of his passes. His favorite target is Osha Washington with 27 receptions and an average of 59.3 yards per game. The running game is what pushes CSUP's offense led by Bernard McDondle with an average of 151.8 yards per game and six touchdowns. Austin Micci is second on the team with a 60.1 yards per game average. Defensively, Brandon Payer leads the team with 58 tackles including seven for a loss. The defense has intercepted nine passes on the year.
Series History: In its short series history, CSU-Pueblo has won all four meetings.
Coverage: Yellow Jacket fans can catch Steve Ammerman on the call on The Eagle, 95.9/96.3 FM, or live online at MyEagleCountry.com. Ammerman is the voice of Yellow Jacket Athletics and can be heard on every football and men's/women's basketball game throughout the season.
Temperature: The five-day outlook shows 68 degrees and plenty of sunshine for an October football game.
Looking for a Sixth Win: Black Hills State, who is looking to win its sixth game of 2016, last won five games in a single season in 2010. The Yellow Jackets have already set a new standard for wins in a single season during the NCAA era.
Football and Smarts: Three members of the Yellow Jacket football team were named RMAC First Team All-Academic this past week. Phydell Paris was named to the squad for the second-straight year while JJ Kilgore and Jess Edens earned the nod for the first time. Paris owns a 3.36 GPA in psychology while Kilgore has a 3.51 in business administration and Edens a 3.72 in elementary education.
Turnover Margin: Black Hills State ranks third in the NCAA Division II with a 1.71 turnover margin. That mark is tops in the RMAC. The Green and Gold are chasing Indian (PA) who owns a turnover margin of 2.17.
Hebel Leads the Nation: Drew Hebel leads the nation with six interceptions over seven games. The redshirt sophomore snagged his first career interception on the first play of the 2016 season and proceeds to average 0.9 per game.
Leader in the Nation (Part Two): Black Hills State leads the nation 17 interceptions in 2016. Drew Hebel is the team leader with six interceptions while Allan Stubbs has tallied three. Twice the Yellow Jackets have recorded four interceptions in one game, at Adams State and against Colorado Mesa.
