Full Notes

Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team reclaimed the Homestake Trophy with a 25-24 comeback victory over South Dakota Mines last week. The Yellow Jackets trailed in the 132nd Black Hills Brawl, 24-6, at half, but held the Hardrockers to zero points and just 61 yards of offense in the second half, while scoring three touchdowns of their own to earn the rivalry victory. Ryan Hommel threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Shandon Jones had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season, catching a touchdown in addition to his 107 yards. Tanner Gamble also caught a touchdown, while Phydell Paris recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the year. Paris ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Thayer Sauter had 18 tackles, while Josh Gurnaby had seven tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Last Meeting: Phydell Paris rushed for a school record 244 yards, as the Yellow Jackets defeated the Cowboys, 36-10, last season. The team as a whole had 447 yards on the ground, breaking the school record for a single game, which was previously 402 yards (1992). Ryan Hommel threw for 160 yards, including a touchdown to Eriq Swiftwater. Defensively, Damon Goldhammer had nine tackles, while Drew Hebel and Luis Bach each snagged an interception.  

About New Mexico Highlands: The Cowboys most recently fell to Colorado State-Pueblo, 56-13, and are now 2-2 overall and 1-2 in RMAC play. DJ McFadden caught two touchdowns, while Regan Atkins had 100-yards receiving. Defensively, Clarence Corbin had five tackles, including one for a loss.    

Series History: The Yellow Jackets hold a narrow, 3-2, lead in the five meetings between the teams.

Coverage: Yellow Jacket fans can catch Steve Ammerman on the call on The Eagle, 95.9 and 96.3 FM. A free webcast can be found via Stretch Internet, the official video provider for RMAC Sports.

Temperature: The five-day forecast shows Saturday's temperature in Las Vegas, N.M., around kickoff to be 63 degrees. There is a 15 percent chance of precipitation and a wind at 14 mph.

General Notebook

South Dakota Hold 'em: The Yellow Jacket defense held SD Mines to zero points, and just 61 yards of offense in the second half of last week's game.

Rank and file: After four weeks of play, the Green and Gold remain ranked in the top-five in the RMAC in several categories. The Yellow Jackets are fifth in total offense (434.2 ypg), fifth in passing offense (241.5 ypg), fifth in rushing offense (192.8 ypg), and fourth in first downs (23.2/g). They are also fifth in total defense (404.0 ypg), third in pass defense (191.8 ypg), fourth in pass defense efficiency (116.3), and fourth in interceptions (five).

Take it away: After finishing the 2016 season with the second most interceptions in the nation, the Yellow Jackets are off to a fast start in that category in 2017. The Green and Gold defense had three interceptions against Adams State in week one, and two more against South Dakota Mines. The nation's leader a year ago, Drew Hebel, has one INT, while Jarrell Ganaway, Josh Gurnaby, Sam Garcia, and Dimitri Butts each have snagged one as well this season.

Next man up: The injury bug has struck the Yellow Jackets this season. Three different quarterbacks have played in a game, while three different starting linebacking corps have played.

Depth Charge: Last year's initial depth chart shows that experience has been growing with 18 juniors and nine seniors listed on the depth chart. This season, the depth chart shows 14 juniors and 14 seniors. Those players, who experienced the success of last year, will look for more this year. There are eight sophomores and 10 freshman, nine of which are redshirt freshman, on the depth chart.

Win First: The Yellow Jackets won their season-opener for the second consecutive year, when they beat Adams State, 47-41, in double overtime. BHSU defeated Adams State, 34-33, in Alamosa, Colorado, last year for their first season-opening win since the 2008 season when the Green and Gold, then an NAIA school, upset NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State 21-14 on September 6, 2008.

Captains: The Yellow Jacket captains, as chosen by their teammates, are Phydell Paris, Shandon Jones, JJ Kilgore, and Thayer Sauter. Paris earned the Captain nod for the third-straight year, while Kilgore is a Captain for the second-consecutive season.

Rushing King: Senior Phydell Paris owns every major rushing record at Black Hills State. He ranked second last year in the conference with 1,314 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. He finished the season ranked number eight at the NCAA Division II level in rushing yards per game (131.4).

RMAC Honors: The 2016 season led to several Yellow Jackets being honored by the conference. Head coach John Reiners was named the Coach of the Year, while Drew Hebel was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Joining Hebel on the All-RMAC First Team were Shandon Jones and Phydell Paris. Earning Second Team honors were offensive lineman Andrew Blaylock and defensive tackle Cody Benne. On the Honorable Mention team were Isaiah Birkel, Travis Groves, Ryan Hommel, and Thayer Sauter. All but Benne and Groves return to BHSU in 2017.