Eagles opening season at BHSU Saturday
By Brandon Davenport and Devin Fulton
Saturday, the rivalry continues between the Chadron State College Eagles and Black Hills State University as the two meet to begin their seasons for the second straight year. Kickoff at Lyle Hare Stadium, in Spearfish, is set for 6 p.m.
In a reverse of last season, the game will be the Yellow Jackets’ first night game at home since 2010. Last season, after renovations to Elliott Field and Don Beebe Stadium in Chadron, the Eagles hosted BHSU for CSC’s first night game in 42 years.
The two teams will no doubt hope they don’t see a repeat of last year’s weather that delayed kickoff about two-and-a-half hours. As of Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecast detailed a chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday night.
Despite the rain delay, the Eagles came out of the gate strong last season and cruised to a 45-8 victory over the Yellow Jackets. Over their last two meetings, CSC has outscored BHSU 80-22.
The Eagles are 52-14-2 all-time against the Yellow Jackets but are on just a two game win-streak against their rivals. BHSU’s last win came in November of 2016 when they picked off then CSC quarterback Matt Vinson three times for 21 points in a 21-19 win. According to CSC Sports Information, it was the Eagles first loss to the Yellow Jackets since 1986.
The Eagles enter the season ranked third in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pre-Season Coaches Poll, while the Yellow Jackets are ranked ninth.
Both teams return veterans to each side of the ball, 13 for BHSU and 19 for CSC, but both have also had losses since last season. For the Eagles, gone are center Jake Geil and running back Kevin Coy Jr., from the offense and corner Malik Goss and linebacker Keenan Johnson on defense.
Coy rushed for 962 yards last season as CSC’s premier back, but Eagles Offensive Coordinator Logan Masters is confident in their current corps of running backs that includes senior Stevann Brown, sophomore Elijah Myles and junior Priest Jennings.