|  Game 1: Black Hills State (0-0) at South Dakota Mines (0-0) |
Black Hills State football will open its 2020 season Saturday at South Dakota Mines in the 135th Black Hills Brawl, continuing the most-played rivalry series in Division II football.
Kickoff is set for Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City, S.D.
This game also marks the first for a new coaching staff that was put together after first-year head coach
Josh Breske was introduced in December. Each new member coming from a Division I football program, the revamped staff looks to improve over last year's finish of 3-8 (2-8 conference).
The Hardrockers are also coming off a 3-8 clip (2-8 conference) last year.
Last Meeting
The Yellow Jackets faced off with South Dakota Mines last season on Oct. 12 in Spearfish, in which BHSU won 48-28. In that game, BHSU took an early lead and never looked back to reclaim the Homestake Trophy.
Quarterback
Chance Eben, a 2020 returner, completed 19 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
Series History
This will be the 135th Black Hills Brawl, continuing one of the longest running NCAA rivalries in the nation.
Currently at 134 games, the Black Hills Brawl between Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines is the most played rivalry series at the NCAA DII level, and fourth-most in any division nationwide behind Lafayette vs. Lehigh (155 games), Yale vs. Princeton (142) and Yale vs. Harvard (135).
BHSU (then Spearfish Normal) and South Dakota Mines (then Dakota School of Mines) first faced off nearly 125 years ago on Nov. 28, 1895, as Spearfish Normal won 18-0. Since then, Black Hill State is 60-63-11 against South Dakota Mines.
Last Time Out
Both teams, each looking ahead to their season opener, haven't played since the conclusion of last season in which both the Yellow Jackets and Hardrockers finished with a win.
The Yellow Jackets finished the 2019 season with a 19-7 victory over Azusa Pacific on Nov. 16 in a non-conference matchup in Spearfish.
South Dakota Mines went head-to-head with conference opponent Fort Lewis College on Nov. 16, coming out on top 27-17.
Key Returners
Key returning seniors include WR
Kielar Harpham and WR
Jake Basinger, DL
Cole Miller and DL
Jarrell Ganaway, OL
Joseph Moraga, and K
Jacob Parks who holds the school record for longest field goal (53 yards).
Of returning juniors, RB
Matthew Collier looks to make an impact along with DB
Bailey Rosenstrauch and DB
Brady Morris, OL
Sam Ambrogio and wide receivers
Trig Olson and
Jordan Pace.
Quarterback
Chance Eben leads the returning sophomore class along with WR
Hasaan Williams and WR Mitch McKibbon, OL
Troy Mittelstedter, DL
Morgan Tigner and DL
Nikolas Arnold.
2020 Team Captains
The Green and Gold Captains as voted on by their teammates are defensive back
Bailey Rosenstrauch, offensive lineman
Joseph Moraga, wide receiver
Kielar Harpham and defensive lineman
Jarrell Ganaway.
Academic Honors
The 2019 season had 14 players earn RMAC All-Academic. Returners for the 2020 squad included
Nolan Susel,
Troy Mittelstedter,
Trig Olson,
Jake Basinger,
Dakota Bill,
Chance Eben,
Morgan Tigner, Jarrett Jenson and
Devyn Vance.
Last year's team also had eight named to the RMAC Honor Roll. Of those eight, 2020 returners include
Cole Miller,
Sam Ambrogio,
Bailey Rosenstrauch,
Jacob Parks,
Joseph Moraga and Keilar Harpham.
Coverage
Yellow Jacket fans 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 the year.
Looking Ahead
Saturday's game is BHSU's first of five scheduled for the 2020 football season this fall. Next up, the Yellow Jackets will head back to Spearfish for the team's home opener against Colorado Mesa, Oct. 17 at noon.
Tickets for this event are currently on sale at
BHSUAthletics.com.
-BHSUAthletics.com-
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