Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team fell to Fort Lewis, 34-14, last weekend. The Yellow Jackets had five turnovers, while forcing three. Collin Powers threw for 177 yards and one touchdown, while Tyler Hammons threw for 77 yards and one score. Eriq Swiftwater caught two touchdowns. Defensively, Marquise Clayton led the Green and Gold with 12 tackles. Bailey Rosenstrauch had one interception, and Drew Hebel had two picks.
Last Meeting: BHSU fell, 38-16, in St. George last year to Dixie State. The Yellow Jackets led, 10-7, after the first quarter, but were outscored 31-6 over the final three quarters. Collin Powers threw for 126 yards, while Phydell Paris rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Defensively, Thayer Sauter had 13 tackles, while Drew Hebel had eight.
About Dixie State: The Trailblazers defeated South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 51-47, in a high-scoring affair last weekend in Utah. The two teams combined for 1,166 yards of offense. DSU quarterback Easton Smith threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns, while Sei-J Lauago rushed for 144 yards and three scores. Defensively, Mike Jones tallied 11 tackles, while Elijah Isiah and Trayvon Watson each had an interception.
Series History: The Yellow Jackets and Trailblazers have only met twice, with BHSU winning in 2016, and DSU taking the 2017 game.
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 1 p.m. kickoff to be 42 degrees in Spearfish. There is a four percent chance of precipitation, with a wind at 8 mph.
General Notebook
Coach to Cure MD: The Black Hills State University coaches will be wearing patches this weekend in support of Coach to Cure MD. This will be the 11th consecutive year that collegiate coaches have worn the patch, and the annual effort has raised nearly $2 million dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Fans can help support the fight to end Duchenne by either going to CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 50555 to make a $10 donation.
Back at Home: The Yellow Jackets return home this weekend to host Dixie State after having three of their first four games take place on the road. The Trailblazers are 0-1 on the road this year.
Under the Lights: 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. It was 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.
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.
Experience This: The Yellow Jackets have plenty of experience returning this season on the field. On the depth chart, there are 19 seniors and 11 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.
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.
