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Skyhawks Football vs. Arizona Christian
Victor Cooper
Stone Walker (7) gets set under center with Nick Minacapelli (40) in motion against the Firestorm on Ray Dennison Memorial Field (Sep. 14, 2024)

Skyhawks head to Spearfish to meet Yellow Jackets in RMAC opener

9/20/2024 12:15:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College football team (1-1) looks to continue building off last week's win as the Skyhawks make its longest road trip of the season up to Spearfish, South Dakota, to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play against Black Hills State (1-1) at Lyle Hare Stadium.
 
The Basics
Opponent: Black Hills State University
Date: Saturday, Sep. 21
Time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Location: Spearfish, S.D.
Stadium: Lyle Hare Stadium
Series Overall: Yellow Jackets lead, 8-3
Series at Black Hills State: Yellow Jackets lead, 4-1
Last Meeting: BHSU won in Durango, 34-20 (Oct. 28, 2023)
Live Broadcast: RMAC Network
Live Statistics: Sidearm
Tickets: BHSU Ticketing
 
A New Chapter
Last weekend the Skyhawks keyed in a new era of football up on the rim after downing Arizona Christian (0-1) 17-12 at home. Fort Lewis not only dominated the Firestorm in most categories, including total offense 291 yards to 239 yards and time of possession 32:44 to 27:16, but the Skyhawks also held the Firestorm to a scoreless first-half on 77 total yards. Stone Walker went for 124 yards and one touchdown on 12-of-20 (60.0 percent) passing and added another 57 yards and one touchdown on the ground for his second-straight two-score performance. Jacob Penney, named the RMAC Week Two Defensive Player of the Week, led the Skyhawks defense with 17.0 total tackles including 5.0 solo and 12.0 assisted, and also made 0.5 tackles for two yards lost.  
 
The Walker Impact
Despite a 1-1 record since taking the reins of the offense as a redshirt freshman, Walker's presence on the field has drastically shifted the Skyhawks ability to move the ball downfield and convert in the red zone. Over the past two seasons, Fort Lewis has primarily lived in the passing game averaging 196.8 yards per game alongside 54.7 yards per game rushing. In 2024, FLC is averaging a balanced 149.0 yards through the air and 183.5 yards on the ground for 332.5 yards of total offense per game: a mark that ranks seventh in the conference. Additionally, the Skyhawks are 6-for-8 (75.0 percent) in the red zone and covert on 44.0 percent of third downs.
 
Penney's are Better than Nickels
Penney, the second Skyhawk to don the number zero, has been an absolute force on defense, picking up right where he left off last season. In 2023, Penney was the RMAC's eighth-leading tackler with 80.0 total on the season, featuring 66.0 solo, 14.0 assisted, and 5.0 tackles for 12 yards lost. This year, Penney currently leads the league and ranks fourth in NCAA Division II averaging 13.0 tackles per game. Coming off a career-high 17.0 tackle performance against Arizona Christian, Penney also ranks 18th in DII with 26.0 total tackles on the season.
 
Similar Standing
Black Hills State finds itself in a similar position to Fort Lewis after winning its season opener 24-14 over Southwest Baptist (1-1) and dropping its week two game to St. Thomas (1-2), 24-14. BHSU rolled out a season-high 293 yards of offense against SBU, all of which came out of the arm of redshirt junior quarterback Luke Duby who was 21-for-36 (58.3 percent) on the afternoon with a pair of touchdowns to Connor Boyd and Olson Kelby. Against St. Thomas, however, the Yellow Jackets produced only 229 yards of offense and converted on only 3-of-15 (20.0 percent) of third downs. BHSU has converted on 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) third downs thus far.  
 
One Dimensional
The Yellow Jackets, although averaging 19.0 points on 260.5 yards per game, have struggled on the ground. With negative-one rushing yards in the season opener, BHSU has rushed for only 50 net yards this season with one touchdown coming from junior running back Cameron Goods. Black Hills State lives through the air on the back of Duby, who is 39-for-73 (53.4 percent) through the air this season for 471 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. In addition, Duby has connected with a different receiver for each touchdown.
 
Yellow Jackets to Watch
Goods stands as BHSU's lead back in the backfield. The six-foot product out of Irvine, Calif., is the only Yellow Jacket other than Duby with double-digit rushing attempts totaling 20 for 46 net yards and one score. Goods has also caught two passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. In the receiving room, 12 different players have reach recorded a reception while TJ Chukwurah, a five-foot-eleven redshirt junior from Arlington, Texas, leads the group with eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, redshirt senior defensive lineman Mylic Ritche leads the team with 16.0 tackles including 9.0 solo, 7.0 assisted, 4.5 tackles for 21 yards lost, 2.0 sacks for 16 yards lost, and a pass breakup. Redshirt senior safety Nic Quinones owns Black Hills State's only turnover of the year with an interception in the season opener.
 
Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis will host BHSU travel partner South Dakota Mines (1-2) for its RMAC home opener next Saturday, Sep. 28, up on Ray Dennison Memorial Field for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff. Fans are encouraged to join in on the pregame festivities two hours before kickoff. In addition, fans are encouraged to White Out Ray Dennison Memorial Field as part of White Out Weekend presented by Morehart Murphy Regional Auto Center.
 
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