SPEARFISH, S.D. – A week removed from a homecoming victory of their own on Swarm Days, the Black Hills State University football team now looks to play the role of spoiler as they visit Marv Kay Stadium for the homecoming match-up for No. 4/7 Colorado School of Mines. The Yellow Jackets will kick-off against the 5-time defending RMAC champions at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, looking to move to 2-0 in league play for the third consecutive year.
 
GAME DETAILS
Date & Time: Saturday, September 28 at 1 p.m.
Location: Golden, Colo. – Marv Kay Stadium
TV Note: Along with being broadcast on the RMAC Network, the game will also be aired on KCDO Local3 in Denver.
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters their first RMAC road contest with a record of 2-1 (1-0 RMAC), following a 33-7 win on Swarm Days over Fort Lewis.
• As the ground game came to life against the Skyhawks, the Yellow Jackets rushed for a season-high of 207 rushing yards, with three different players scoring a rushing touchdown, including Navarre Dixon III (2), Cameron Goods, and Luke Duby. BHSU improved to 10-1 during the Breske era when rushing for 200 yards or more in a game.
• With the win over FLC, the Green & Gold improved to 6-6 all-time and 3-1 during the Breske era in RMAC openers, while now winning three consecutive (each by two possessions or more).
• Black Hills State is averaging 23.7 points per game with 212.3 passing and 85.7 rushing yards per game, accumulating an average of 298.0 yards of total offense through three games. The Yellow Jacket offense has scored five touchdowns through the air and five on the ground during the season.
• Duby has been the primary quarterback for BHSU this season, completing 53-of-96 passes for 636 yards and five touchdowns while throwing two interceptions.
• Goods and Dixon III have been the featured running backs in a by committee system, rushing for 111 and 70 yards respectively this season. Both players have found the end zone on two occasions.
• TJ Chukwurah and Damien Boozer have been the top targets among receivers, totaling a team-leading 117 and 105 yards receiving respectively. Five different Yellow Jackets have caught a touchdown pass, including Chukwurah, Goods, Kelby Olson, Connor Boyd, and Jayden Williams.
• On the defensive side of the ball Black Hills State has held their opponents to 15.0 points per game with 160.7 passing and 64.0 rushing yards per game, accumulating an average of 224.7 yards of total offense through three games. BHSU has tallied 171.0 tackles with 25.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. The Yellow Jacket defense has forced four turnovers this year, recovering three fumbles and picking off one pass.
• Mylic Ritche has been the dominant force up front for the Yellow Jackets, tallying a team-leading 21.0 tackles, 7.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles from his defensive line position.
• Leading BHSU from the linebacker position is Sebastian O'Farrell, who is second on the team with 18.0 tackles, while breaking up one pass.
• The top player in the secondary this year for the Green & Gold has been Nicc Quinones who has recorded 14.0 tackles, one pass break-up, and one interception.
• Josh Breske is in his fifth season as the head coach at Black Hills State, guiding the Yellow Jackets to a record of 19-19 during his career.

#4/7 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES STORYLINES

• Colorado School of Mines enters their RMAC home opener, and homecoming contest, with a 3-0 (1-0 RMAC) record in 2024 follow a narrow 13-12 victory at Chadron State last week.
• CSM enters the week ranked No. 4 in the AFCA Coaches' Top-25 Poll, and is No. 7 in the D2Football.com Media Top-25 Poll.
• Colorado School of Mines is averaging 28.3 points per game with 253.0 passing and 169.3 rushing yards per game, accumulating an average of 422.3 yards of total offense through three games. The Oredigger offense has scored nine touchdowns on the ground and two during the air during the season.
• Taking the reins of the CSM offense is Evan Foster, who has completed 68-of-97 passes for 759 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception.
• The featured running back in the Oredigger backfield will be Landon Walker who has rushed the ball 40 times for 310 net yards and six touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
• The primary targets at wide receiver for CSM will be Max McLeod and Flynn Schiele who have both hauled in 20 passes while notching 303 and 229 yards receiving respectively. McLeod has recorded one touchdown along with Brayden Duerksen.
• On the defensive side of the ball Colorado School of Mines has held their opponents to 17.7 points per game with 199.3 passing and 109.0 rushing yards per game, accumulating an average of 308.3 yards of total offense through three games. CSM has tallied 173.0 tackles with 16.0 tackles-for-loss and 6.0 sacks. The Oredigger defense has forced two turnovers this year, picking off two passes.
• Spearheading the Colorado School of Mines defense is Adrian Moreno who has recorded 18.0 tackles at the linebacker position.
• Another top player to watch is outside linebacker Jaden Healy, who has posted 17.0 tackles to go along with 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack and one quarterback hurry.
• The players to watch for the Orediggers in the secondary is Joel Diaz and Devyn Lauer, who have each posted one interception this year, including one and four pass break-ups respectively.
• Pete Sterbick is in his second season as the head coach at Colorado School of Mines, guiding the Orediggers to a record of 17-1 during his career.

SERIES HISTORY

• Saturday will mark the 14^th meeting between Black Hills State and Colorado School of Mines on the gridiron, with the Orediggers holding a 13-0 lead in the series.
• After having the No. 1 team in the country on the ropes with a 17-14 halftime lead, BHSU couldn't hold on to secure the upset as CSM went on to win 42-17 at Lyle Hare Stadium in Spearfish on October 21, 2023.