Full Game Notes

Setting the Stage: Black Hills State is coming off a comeback victory over Adams State to open the season. The 47-41 victory in double overtime was the second-consecutive opening game win for the Yellow Jackets. BHSU was down by as many as 28 points, but tied the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion with no time remaining to send the matchup to overtime. After the teams traded field goals, the Jacket defense blocked the Grizzly field goal attempt, and the offense scored a touchdown to get the win. Ryan Hommel threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns, while Phydell Paris rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown, while also recording a receiving touchdown.

Last Meeting: The Black Hills State University football team defeated Fort Lewis, 39-36, last season. The Yellow Jackets were down 36-32 with five minutes remaining, however, BHSU methodically marched down the field for the go-ahead touchdown. Ryan Hommel threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the game, while Phydell Paris rushed for three touchdowns.  

About Fort Lewis: Fort Lewis fell, 25-19, to Chadron State in week one of 2017. The Skyhawks led, 16-0, with 11:34 to play in the first half, but Chadron State scored 25-consecutive points to take a lead they would not relinquish. Fort Lewis tallied just 49 yards passing, but racked up 214 rushing yards. Conversely, the Skyhawks allowed 250 passing yards, but just 92 rushing yards.  

Series History: The Yellow Jackets lead the series, 4-1, and will be looking to make it two victories in a row over the Skyhawks.

Coverage: Yellow Jacket fans can catch Steve Ammerman and Jim Kallas 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 high temperature of 88 degrees and sunny. There is a zero percent chance of precipitation and a wind at eight mph.

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.

Get Out in Front: After one week of play, the Green and Gold hold top five rankings in the RMAC in multiple categories. The team has the second ranked scoring offense, the top total offense, the top rushing offense, the second highest passing offense, the highest number of interceptions, and are tied for first in turnover margin (+2).

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. The nation's leader a year ago, Drew Hebel, snagged one INT, while Sam Garcia, and Dimitri Butts each pulled an interception down as well.

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 15 juniors and 16 seniors. Those players, who experienced the success of last year, will look for more this year. There are 10 sophomores and nine freshman, eight of which are redshirt freshman, on the depth chart.

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 in 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.