D2-CFB Game Preview: South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (1-4) vs. Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (1-4)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Lyle Hare Stadium (capacity ~6,000)

Location: Spearfish, South Dakota

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM MT (7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET)

Broadcast: RMAC Digital Network / ESPN Gamecast

Weather Forecast (Spearfish, SD)

Conditions: Clear skies, crisp fall evening

Temperature: ~64°F at kickoff, dropping into the mid‑50s by the fourth quarter

Wind: 5–9 mph

Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking

Injury Report

South Dakota Mines (1–4, 1–2 RMAC):

QB Luke Casey – Probable (ankle soreness)

RB Chris Allen – Questionable (hamstring)

Black Hills State (1–4, 1–2 RMAC):

QB Jake Lombardi – Probable (shoulder soreness)

WR Jalen Brown – Probable (knee bruise)

Key Player Matchups

QB Luke Casey (SD Mines) vs BHSU Secondary

Casey has been inconsistent but showed poise in the Hardrockers’ 22–21 win over Fort Lewis.

RB Chris Allen (SD Mines) vs LB Tyler Ross (BHSU)

Allen is Mines’ top rusher; Ross leads BHSU in tackles.

QB Jake Lombardi (BHSU) vs SD Mines Pass Rush

Lombardi threw for 2 TDs in a narrow 36–27 loss to Colorado Mesa.

WR Jalen Brown (BHSU) vs CB Marcus Hall (SD Mines)

Brown is BHSU’s deep threat; Hall is Mines’ best cover corner.

Recent Team Form

South Dakota Mines (1–4, 1–2 RMAC):

W 22–21 vs Fort Lewis (9/27/25)

L 48–42 (OT) @ New Mexico Highlands (9/20/25)

L 58–14 @ Upper Iowa (9/13/25)

L 45–9 vs Michigan Tech (9/4/25)

L 43–0 @ CSU Pueblo (8/28/25)

Offense: ~17.4 PPG Defense: ~43.0 PPG

Black Hills State (1–4, 1–2 RMAC):

L 36–27 vs Colorado Mesa (9/27/25)

W 25–19 @ Fort Lewis (9/20/25)

L 31–28 @ Chadron State (9/13/25)

L 48–36 @ Grand Valley State (9/6/25)

L 27–21 vs Sioux Falls (8/28/25)

Offense: ~27.4 PPG Defense: ~35.2 PPG

Series History

All‑time: Black Hills State leads the series (dating back to 1895)

Recent:

2024: Black Hills State 24–17

2023: South Dakota Mines 28–21

2022: Black Hills State 31–28

Trend: The last three meetings have all been decided by one score, underscoring the rivalry’s intensity.

ATS (Against the Spread):

SD Mines: 1–4 ATS last 5

BHSU: 2–3 ATS last 5

Historical Betting Results:

Underdog has covered in 2 of the last 3 meetings

Last 3 matchups have all gone UNDER the total

Projected Score: Black Hills State 31 – South Dakota Mines 24

Game Odds

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers             56

Black Hills State Yellow Jackets                  – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025