Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team opens the 2018 season at Chadron State after finishing last year with a 4-6 record. The team returns nine starters from a year ago, including All-RMAC Honorable Mention player, Austin Goddard, and All-RMAC Second Team performer, Hebel. Also returning is starting quarterback, Ryan Hommel.

Last Meeting: BHSU fell to Chadron State, 35-14, in 2017. The Yellow Jackets outscored the Eagles, 14-0, in the second half. Hommel threw for 247 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for a score. Phydell Paris rushed for 108 yards, which put him over the century mark for the season. Dylan Reiners had 82 receiving yards, catching one touchdown. Defensively, Goddard had 14 tackles, Isaiah Birkel had 10, and Jarrell Ganaway tallied a sack.

About Chadron State: The Eagles finished 2017 with a 6-5 overall record, going 6-4 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games. CSC ended the year with a 28-6 loss to Colorado State-Pueblo. Nine offensive starters return for Chadron State, while the defense graduated several regulars.

Series History: Chadron State is the second most played opponent in BHSU's history. CSC leads the series, 57-15-2, with the Eagles winning in 2017, and the Yellow Jackets taking the 2016 matchup.

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 around the 6:30 p.m. kickoff to be 78 degrees in Chadron. There is a 0 percent chance of precipitation, with a wind at 11 mph.

General Notebook

Win First: The Yellow Jackets have won two consecutive season-openers, and look to make it three this weekend. Last year, BHSU opened the season at home against Adams State, winning, 47-41, in double overtime. The Green and Gold opened 2016 with a 34-33 win at Adams State, which was the first season-opening win since the 2008 season.

Under the Lights: Saturday's game between the Yellow Jackets and the Eagles will be played under the lights. It is the first night game for BHSU since September 16, 2017, when the team played at Dixie State. It is the first of two night games for the Green and Gold this year - the October 6 matchup against South Dakota Mines is set to kick off at 6 p.m. Chadron State has not hosted a game under the lights since 1977.

Spoil Something New: This weekend's game will be the first played in Chadron State's new stadium. The Yellow Jackets will look to make the Eagles wait for their first win.

Experience This: The Yellow Jackets have plenty of experience returning this season on the field. On the depth chart, there are 21 seniors and 10 juniors expected to start or be the first to sub in.

Captains: The Yellow Jacket captains, as chosen by their teammates, are Ryan Hommel, Payten Gilmore, Luis Bach, and Drew Hebel.

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, while nine others made the Honor Roll. Phydell Paris and JJ Kilgore earned First Team honors. Luis Bach, Jake Basinger, Jess Edens, Austin Goddard, Jamie Gray, Jake Phelan, Collin Powers, Dylan Reiners, and Bailey Rosenstrauch all were named to the RMAC Honor Roll.