Setting the Stage: The Black Hills State University football team is set to host Fort Lewis College on Saturday afternoon for Swarm Days. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 45-31 loss to Adams State. The Green and Gold outscored ASU, 31-16, after falling behind 28-0. Tyler Hammons threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns, while Kielar Harpham had 113 yards receiving while catching both scores. BHSU recorded two defensive scores - a pick-six by Keyshawn Farmer, and a safety by Bailey Rosenstrauch.
Last Meeting: BHSU had three interceptions, but had five turnovers of its own, as the team fell to FLC, 34-14, on September 22, 2018. Tyler Hammons threw for 77 yards and a touchdown in his first career action. Defensively, Marquise Clayton had 12 tackles to lead the Yellow Jackets. Bailey Rosenstrauch had an interception, and Drew Hebel had two picks.
About Fort Lewis College: The Skyhawks are 2-1 in 2019. Most recently, FLC defeated Chadron State, 37-30. The team jumped out to a 30-13 lead. The Eagles came back to tie up the game, 30-30, but the Skyhawks scored with less than two minutes to play to hold on for the victory. Jake Lowry threw for 114 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 69 yards and a score. Three of FLC's touchdowns were fumble recoveries for scores.
Series History: The Yellow Jackets lead the series over the Skyhawks, 4-3. Fort Lewis has won the last two meetings.
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 59 degrees. There is a 21 percent chance of rain with a wind predicted at 10 mph.
General Notebook
Coach To Cure: Saturday's game will be part of the Coach to Cure MD project, raising awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Yellow Jacket coaches will be wearing patches along with thousands of coaches across the nation.Â
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.Â
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 42.0 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.
