SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University football team had six interceptions, as the Yellow Jackets defeated Western State Colorado University, 40-0, on Saturday afternoon.

The Yellow Jackets (4-3, 4-3 RMAC) outscored the Mountaineers (0-7, 0-7 RMAC) 9-0 in the first, 14-0 in the second, and 17-0 in the third.

The BHSU defense set the tone on the first drive of the game, forcing a three-and-out. The Yellow Jacket's first possession culminated in a 41-yard field goal by Trey Fleming, which put the home team up, 3-0. After forcing another three-and-out, the

BHSU's drive stalled, but Jacob Parks knocked through a career-long 53-yard field goal, to increase the lead to 6-0. Two plays later, JJ Kilgore had an interception to give the Yellow Jackets a short field. Fleming's 34-yard field goal gave BHSU a 9-0 lead as the first quarter ended.

On Western's first possession of the second quarter, Drew Hebel picked off Easton Bruere and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, and BHSU led, 16-0. The Mountaineers picked up just four first downs in the second quarter, and with one minute remaining in the half, Hebel snagged another interception, returning it for 66 yards and another touchdown. The Yellow Jackets went into halftime leading 23-0. It was the first halftime lead for BHSU this season.

Western State's first three possessions in the second half ended in turnovers. Luis Bach had an interception, then Jared Tiefenthaler forced and recovered a fumble, before Luis Bach had his second interception of the day. The Yellow Jackets added a 36-yard field goal from Fleming with 10 minutes remaining in the third. After Bach's second interception, Phydell Paris rushed three times, the third for 12 yards and a touchdown, the first offensive touchdown of the game.

With 1:35 remaining in the third quarter, Chris James picked off Spencer Shook, and the ensuing drive for the Yellow Jackets resulted in a touchdown. Jack Walbye recorded a 20-yard rushing touchdown, the first of his career, to put BHSU up, 40-0. The defense held the Mountaineers in the fourth quarter to complete the shutout.

This was the first game in which the Yellow Jackets held an opponent scoreless since defeating Fort Lewis, 23-0, in 2012.

Quarterback Ryan Hommel finished with 115 yards passing. Phydell Paris had 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. It was Paris' fifth game this season with 100 or more rushing yards. Fleming made three field goals, while Parks made one.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets finished with seven turnovers – six interceptions and one fumble recovery. Isaiah Birkel had 6.5 tackles and a sack, while Anthony Ibarra also had a sack.   

Easton Bruere finished with 70 yards passing, while Spencer Shook (38 yards) and Garrett Boyd (27 yards) also played quarterback for the Mountaineers.

The Green and Gold will next travel to CSU-Pueblo on Saturday, October 21. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m.
  Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.