Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team was edged, 41-38, by Dixie State Univeresity last weekend during Swarm Days. After being down, 28-14, at halftime, and 35-14 early in the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets outscored the Trailblazers, 24-6, to finish the game. However, DSU was able to squeeze out the victory. Tyler Hammons, in his first career start at quarterback, threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Jack Walbye had two rushing scores, while Eriq Swiftwater caught two touchdowns, and Isaac Jefferson caught a score. Defensively, Austin Goddard led the Yellow Jackets with 12 tackles, while Josh Gurnaby had 10.
Last Meeting: BHSU defeated South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 25-24, in last year's 132nd playing of the Black Hills Brawl. The Yellow Jackets trailed, 24-6, at halftime to their in-state rivals, but held the Hardrockers scoreless in the second half to retake the Homestake Trophy for the first time in three years. Ryan Hommel threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, while Phydell Paris rushed for 140 yards and two scores. Shandon Jones and Tanner Gamble each caught a touchdown. Defensively, Thayer Sauter had 11 tackles, while Luis Bach had a sack and 6 tackles. Jarrell Ganaway and Josh Gurnaby each had an interception in the game.
About South Dakota Mines: The Hardrockers most recently fell, 41-14, to No. 16 CSU-Pueblo. Jake Sullivan threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns, while getting picked off twice by the Thunderwolves. Isaiah Manley and Carson Hunt each caught a touchdown. Defensively, Will Carroll led SDM with 10 tackles. The team is 2-3 overall, with victories over Western State (38-21) and nonconference foe Simon Fraser (52-28).
Series History: This will be the 133rd all-time meeting between the Yellow Jackets and Hardrockers. The rivalry is the longest running series in Division II, with BHSU winning the Black Hills Brawl last season. The Green and Gold is 59-62-11 all time against South Dakota Mines.
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 forecast shows Saturday's temperature around the 6 p.m. kickoff to be 47 degrees in Rapid City. There is a 1 percent chance of precipitation, with a wind at 11 mph.
General Notebook
A Tradition Like No Other: Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will play against each other for the 133rd time this weekend. The Black Hills Brawl is the longest running rivalry series in Division II. South Dakota Mines leads the series, 62-59-11, but the Yellow Jackets took the Homestake Trophy back last year for the first time since 2014.
Short to Long: The Yellow Jackets met Dixie State last weekend for just the third time in the schools' histories. On the completely other side of the coin, this weekend's game will be against a familar foe, with two teams who have met 132 times.
Under the Lights: The Black Hills Brawl this weekend will be played under the lights in Rapid City. This is the second night game of the year for the Yellow Jackets. The opening game of the year between the Yellow Jackets and the Eagles was played under the lights. It was the first night game for BHSU since September 16, 2017, when the team played at Dixie State.
Safety First: The Yellow Jackets recorded a safety against Chadron State (Sept. 1). It was the first safety for BHSU since Sept. 10, 2016, in a 39-36 win over Fort Lewis.
Captains: The Yellow Jacket captains, as chosen by their teammates, are Ryan Hommel, Payten Gilmore, Luis Bach, and Drew Hebel.
Putting the "Student" in Student-Athlete: Austin Goddard is a nominee for the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award. The senior linebacker currently holds a 3.621 grade point average as an exercise science major. He also is a SAAC representative and four-year member of the football leadership council.
RMAC Honors: The 2017 season led to several Yellow Jackets being honored by the conference. Phydell Paris, Drew Hebel, and Erick Hairston-Belcher were all named All-RMAC Second Team. Thayer Sauter, Austin Goddard, Jarrell Ganaway, Darian Warford, Aaron Montoya, and Shandon Jones all earned Honorable Mention. Hebel, Goddard, and Ganaway return as members of the 2018 squad.
Academic Honors: Two Yellow Jackets were named to the RMAC Academic First Team in 2017, while nine others made the Honor Roll. Phydell Paris and JJ Kilgore earned First Team honors. Luis Bach, Jake Basinger, Jess Edens, Austin Goddard, Jake Phelan, Collin Powers, Dylan Reiners, and Bailey Rosenstrauch all were named to the RMAC Honor Roll.
Jeep Raffle: Raffle tickets for a new 2018 Jeep Wrangler are on sale now. Tickets are $50, and only 999 will be sold. See bhsuathletics.com for more information and to enter online.
