Box Score Spearfish, SD - The Black Hills State University Football team takes on Azusa Pacific University this Saturday, at 1 pm, at the Lyle Hare Stadium. This will be the final game of the 2019 campaign. 

Bitten:  Last weekend, the #11 Thunderwolves proved to be to much, putting up an unanswered 58 points, routing the Yellow Jackets in their final road game. The scoreboard was all Thunderwolves, they put up 21 points in the first quarter, 13 in second, 14 in the third, and 10 in the fourth. The Yellow Jackets struggled against an aerial assault, allowing Thunderwolves quarterback Jordan Kitna to throw for 296 yards with four touchdowns. Chance Ebens, suffering though five sacks, also threw five interceptions that proved to be costly. The Thunderwolves capitalized on these interceptions with 126 returns yards and one pick-six. Ebens was 11 for 28 on the day for 156 yards. A majority of the receiving yards were split by Hasaan Williams (47 yards), Jordan Pace (44 yards), and Josiah Drain (43 yards).
 
About Azusa Pacific University: APU has struggled this season. They are currently on a five game losing streak and sit at just 1-8 on the season. This is not the first RMAC game for APU. Three weeks ago they took on Colorado School of Mines and lost 49-27. Anthony Catalono is their number one rusher, averaging 30.71 carries a game. The Yellow Jackets will have to watch out for Tyrone Williams Jr., who is averaging 210.75 passing yards a game.

Wrapping Up: The Yellow Jackets wrapped up regular RMAC season play last weekend. They currently sit in tenth in the conference standings. The rest of the league will finish up regular season play this weekend. Colorado school of Mines has won the regular season outright. There is little to no room for the Yellow Jackets to move, if New Mexico Highlands lose this week against Mesa, they remain above BHSU. If SD Mines beats Fort Lewis, the Yellow Jackets remain higher on the tiebreaker. 

Coverage: The Yellow Jackets can catch Steve Ammerman on The Eagle Country at 95.5/96.3 FM, or live online at MyEagleCountry.com. Ammerman is the voice of the Yellow Jacket Athletics and can be heard for every football and women's/men's basketball game throughout their seasons.

Temperature: Weather for Saturday the 16th, look to be dreary. The high will be around 46 degrees and there is a 50 percent chance for rain. Winds will be northwest 18-23 mph

GENERAL NOTEBOOK

Captains: The Green and Gold Captains are Josh Gurnaby, Payten Gilmore, Kadim Philip, and Joe Moraga, all chosen by their teammates.

Recognizing the Fight: Linebacker Brett Lamb will not be on the field this season, but his Yellow Jacket brothers wear orange ribbons to support Lamb as he is fighting leukemia. 

Experience First: BHSU has 12 returning starters from the 2018 season. Eight offensive players return, with four defensive starters returning, including Bailey Rosenstrauch and Josh Gurnaby. They had at least 60 tackles last season. Also, a returner is a four-time starter Payten Gilmore who has been a big piece to the Jackets defense in rushing yards.

Under Pressure: The Yellow Jackets currently have the third best 3rd down conversion rate in the league. They convert just under 40% of the time.

Discipline: After being the least penalized team in 2018, BHSU upholds that standard, currently averaging the second least penatlies/yards in the RMAC this season.

Academic Honors: The 2018 season had 10 players earn RMAC academic honors. Returners for the 2019 squad included First Team academic honor Bailey Rosenstrauch. Returners Jake Basinger, Jarett Jenson, and Trig Olson earned all-RMAC Honor Roll.

RMAC Honors: Sampson Rich and Bailey Rosenstrauch were both named to the 2019 RMAC All-Academic first team defense.

Jeep Raffle: The winner of the 2019 Jeep Raffle will be selected during the Azusa Pacific Game. You don't need to be present to win.