Rivalry returns to Lyle Hare stadium as the BHSU Yellow Jacket football team prepares to take on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) Hardrockers in the 138th annual Black Hills Brawl Sept. 30.

Since 1895, BHSU and SDSMT have clashed on the gridiron in contention for the Homestake Trophy. The Yellow Jackets’ record against the Hardrockers stands at 61-65-11. However, after bringing the Homestake Trophy back to Spearfish in 2022, the Jackets intend to send SDSMT home empty-handed.

“It’s a heightened game,” said Ryder Blair, a senior linebacker for BHSU. “Everybody shows out for it. Everybody seems like they’re really going hard out there just to bring [the Homestake Trophy] back home. That’s what makes the game such high-stakes is keeping the trophy where it belongs.”

BHSU trumped Colorado Mesa Sept. 23 in a 25-23 comeback victory, landing the Jackets a No. 3 ranking in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

“It was really good to see our guys battle all the way to the end,” said Josh Breske, head coach of the Yellow Jacket football team. “Our quarterback didn’t play his best game, but a number of our skill players and offensive linemen played well enough for us to come out with the victory.”

The Yellow Jackets concluded the contest with 398 all-purpose yards, 157 yards rushing, 241 yards passing and one game-winning 50-yard field goal in the final second of the fourth quarter – courtesy of Coleman Chapman, a sophomore kicker.

“[The game] was emotional,” Blair said. “Definitely lots of highs and lows throughout that game. I’d say the most fun was being able to get back out there on that field towards the end and put the game away.”

Earlier in the season, Colorado Mesa defeated SDSMT 38-30, and, so far, the Hardrockers are ranked No. 7 in the conference with a 1-1 conference record and a 2-2 overall record. Regardless, Breske and his Yellow Jackets are determined not to underestimate
their rival.

“There’s never a week off in the RMAC,” Breske said. “This week will certainly be no exception. I’m sensing a lot of confidence from our guys, and I think it’s going to be important for me to make sure that we keep a balance. We need to be humble and respectful of our opponents and make sure we’re still doing the things that it takes to win football games.”

Even BHSU players with limited experience in the RMAC and within the BHSU – SDSMT rivalry are feeling the weight of the
upcoming rivalry game.

“I haven’t played in [the Black Hills Brawl] yet, but I’ve been anticipating it from what all my teammates have been saying,” said Tanner Clarkson, the senior and starting quarterback for BHSU. “I actually just got notified of the story of how the guys had to wait on the field for the trophy because [SDSMT] didn’t think they were going to lose the game. That makes it a little personal, so I’m anticipating this game a lot.”

Clarkson began his run as a Yellow Jacket this year after transferring from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

The Black Hills Brawl concluded in a 24-17 upset in 2022 and the Jackets plan triumph again this year on their home turf.

“I’m super excited to get back out there,” Blair said. “I’m keeping that trophy where it belongs.”