SPEARFISH, S.D. - The (RV) Black Hills State University football team returns home, looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the year last weekend at New Mexico Highlands, as they kickoff at 1 p.m. at Lyle Hare Stadium for the annual Swarm Days contest against Fort Lewis on Saturday, September 26. The Yellow Jackets, 5-1 in their last six homecoming games, look to return to the win column in such games as they seek their first Swarm Days win since 2024 and continue their best start since the 2022 campaign.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO 
Date/Time/Location: Saturday, September 26 / 1 p.m. / Spearfish, S.D. / Lyle Hare Stadium 
Live Stream: RMAC Network (Pay-Per-View) 
Radio: KDSJ Radio 

(RV) BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters the weekend with a 3-1 (1-1 RMAC) record following their first loss of the year, a 44-36 defeat at New Mexico Highlands a week ago.
• BHSU began the season 3-0, their first 3-0 start since the 2022 season when they began the year 5-0. With the win over Adams State, the Green & Gold earned their first RMAC opening win since 2024.
• For the third consecutive week the Yellow Jackets are receiving votes in the AFCA NCAA Division II Coaches' Poll, after only receiving votes on two prior occasions in their DII history.
• BHSU looks for their first Swarm Days' victory since a 33-7 victory over Fort Lewis in 2024. The Yellow Jackets are 5-1 in their last six homecoming games.
• With career-highs of 12 receptions, 205 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns against the Trojans in their home opener, Jayden Williams was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week following week one. He leads the receivers with 20 receptions, 308 yards and two touchdowns.
• Another receiver to watch is Joseph Randle, who has caught 15 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns.
• Through four games, Kade Weber leads the team in both rushing and passing. Through the air he has completed 72-of-114 passes for 864 yards, and seven touchdowns, while on the ground he has ran the ball 39 times for 171 yards and four touchdowns.
• Jacob Nelson and Jayshon Liles lead the defensive unit with 25.0 and 23.0 total tackles respectively. Liles has made a team-high 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks, while Nelson has recovered two fumbles.
• Joshua Faulkner leads the secondary with a pair of interceptions and one pass breakup.
• Head coach Josh Breske is in his seventh season leading his alma mater, guiding the Yellow Jackets to a 29-32 record in his career and three winning campaigns.

FORT LEWIS STORYLINES

• Fort Lewis enters Saturday's game with a record of 2-1 (1-1 RMAC) following their first loss of the year, a 34-3 defeat on the road at Colorado School of Mines.
• Prior to last weekend's loss, the Skyhawks boasted a 2-0 record to begin the season, the best start to a season for the program since the 1979 campaign.
• Sam Jones made his season debut at quarterback against the Orediggers, going 19-of-34 passing the ball for 126 yards. Jacob Morris is the leading passser on the team, playing in the first two games as he went 38-of-68 passing for 434 yards and five touchdowns.
• Solomon Latimer leads FLC with 13 receptions, 190 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He hauled in seven receptions for 104 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys.
• In the defensive secondary, Trenton Sullivan leads the defensive unit with 33.0 total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, and 1.0 sack. He has also made a pair of pass breakups. Against Arizona Christian he notched 16 total tackles.
• Also among the key contributers of the defense at linebacker is Drennan Dowell who has made 27.0 total tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He recorded a season-high of ten tackles against Arizona Christian.
• Lucas Schmitten was named the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week for week two. He is 6-of-7 on field goal attempts this season, including 3-of-4 from 40 yards or longer, including a long of 51 yards.
• Head coach Johnny Cox is in his fifth season leading his alma mater, guiding the Skyhawks to a 7-39 career record.

SERIES HISTORY

• Black Hills State and Fort Lewis are set for their 14th meeting all-time on the gridiron, with the Yellow Jackets holding a 10-3 advantage in the series.
• The Yellow Jackets earned their sixth consecutive win in the series last season on September 20, 2025, as they defeated the Skyhawks 25-19 in Durango, Colorado.