Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team is set to host Adams State University on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 52-7 loss to No. 17-ranked Colorado School of Mines. Andrew Tovar threw for 172 yards and a touchdown, while Kielar Harpham caught five passes for 52 yards and a score. Defensively, Josh Gurnaby led the Green and Gold with 13 tackles, including one for a loss. Lathen Stevens had eight tackles and forced a fumble. Jacob Parks put five of his eight punts inside the 20, averaging 43.2 yards per punt.
Last Meeting: BHSU had a chance to win the game on its final drive, but ultimately fell, 44-41, to Adams State last season (September 15). Ryan Hommel threw for 383 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 73 yards and two scores. Jordan Pace caught a touchdown. Defensively, Brett Lamb had eight tackles.
About Adams State University: The Grizzlies are 1-1 on the year, losing to Colorado School of Mines, 41-10, to open the 2019 season, before defeating New Mexico Highlands, 41-27. ASU is scoring 25.5 points per game, while allowing 34.0 ppg. John Buksa gets the majority of snaps under center. He has a 48.68 completion percentage, throwing for 613 total yards and four touchdowns, while also getting picked off five times. Defensively, Brandin Obrecht leads the Grizzlies with 14 total tackles and one interception.
Series History: The Grizzlies lead the series, 6-2, however, the Yellow Jackets have won two of the last three meetings. Six of the eight meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, including last season, when ASU won by a field goal.
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 in Spearfish around the 1 p.m. kickoff to be 61 degrees. There is a 18 percent chance of rain with a wind predicted at 16 mph.
General Notebook
Youth Day: Saturday's game against Adams State will be Youth Day. Any person in kindergarten to 12th grade will receive free admission into the game with a paying adult.
Under the Lights: The Yellow Jackets' opening game against Chadron State was under the lights at Lyle Hare Stadium. It was the second consecutive night meeting between BHSU and CSC. The game was the first evening game at home for the Green and Gold since 2010. The Yellow Jackets will also play under the lights against South Dakota Mines (Oct. 12).
Captains: The Yellow Jacket captains, as chosen by their teammates, are Josh Gurnaby, Payten Gilmore, Kadim Phillip, and Joe Moraga.
Recognizing the Fight: Linebacker Brett Lamb won't be on the field this season, but his Yellow Jacket brothers will wear orange ribbons to support Lamb as he fights leukemia.
Experience First: BHSU has 12 starters returning from a year ago. This includes eight offensive players providing experience, especially along the line. Defensively, four starters return including two players - Josh Gurnaby and Bailey Rosenstrauch - who had at least 60 tackles last season.
Discipline: The Yellow Jackets were the least penalized team in the RMAC last season, while teams playing BHSU were penalized the most. In 2019 so far, the Green and Gold are giving up 33.5 yards in penalties, the least in the league.
Academic Honors: The 2018 season saw 10 Yellow Jackets earn academic honors from the RMAC. Bailey Rosenstrauch earned First Team honors. Luis Bach, Jake Basinger, Jess Edens, Austin Goddard, Jarett Jenson, Jack Mazurie, Trig Olson, Jacob Phelan, and Dylan Reiners all were named to the RMAC Honor Roll.
RMAC Honors: The 2018 season led to several Yellow Jackets being honored by the conference. Eriq Swiftwater, Clayton Dry, Drew Hebel, Jacob Parks, and Kielar Harpham were all named All-RMAC Honorable Mention. Parks and Harpham return as members of the 2019 squad.
Jeep Raffle: Raffle tickets for a new 2019 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.
