D2-CFB Game Preview: Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (1-5) vs. Western Colorado Mountaineers (6-0)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl, Rady Family Sports Complex, Gunnison, Colorado

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. MT

Event: RMAC Conference Game

Broadcast: RMAC Network / ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Gunnison, CO)

Kickoff Temp: ~73°F

Conditions: Mostly sunny, mild fall afternoon

Wind: Light SW at 6–8 mph

Impact: Minimal; excellent football weather

Injury Report

Black Hills State: No major injuries reported; QB Luke Duby expected to start after throwing 10 TDs this season.

Western Colorado: No major injuries reported; RB and defensive units fully healthy.

Player Matchups

Black Hills State Yellow Jackets

QB Luke Duby: 1,200+ yards, 10 TD, 6 INT.

WR TJ Chukwurah: 10 receiving TDs, top red-zone target.

RB Kade Weber: 280 yards, 2 TD.

Defense: Allowing 31.6 PPG, struggled against run-heavy teams.

Western Colorado Mountaineers (6-0, 4-0 RMAC)

QB Josh Cummings: 1,100 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT.

RB Noah Roper: 540 yards, 6 TD; averaging 5.8 YPC.

WR Elijah Lilly: 400 yards, 4 TD.

Defense: #1 in RMAC scoring defense (14.2 PPG allowed), led by LB Hunter O’Connor (7 sacks).

Key Battle: Duby-to-Chukwurah connection vs. Western’s elite secondary.

Team Records & Recent Form

Black Hills State

L vs Sioux Falls 27-21

L @ Grand Valley State 48-36

L @ Chadron State 31-28

W @ Fort Lewis 25-19

L vs Colorado Mines 36-27

L vs South Dakota Mines 27-13

Western Colorado

W vs West Texas A&M 45-28

W @ Midwestern State 38-13

W @ Adams State 45-23

W vs New Mexico Highlands 30-3

W @ Fort Lewis 49-10

W vs South Dakota Mines 35-14

Series History

All-time (since 2012): Western Colorado leads 9-3.

Last meeting (Oct 12, 2024): Western Colorado 35, Black Hills State 14.

Western has won 6 straight (2018–2024).

BHSU’s last win: 2017 (40-0 in Spearfish).

Betting Trends

Black Hills State: 1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS; 4-2 O/U.

Western Colorado: 6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS; 3-3 O/U.

Western has covered in 5 of last 6 vs BHSU.

BHSU overs have hit in 4 of last 6 games.

Projected Score: Western Colorado 38, Black Hills State 14

Game Odds

Black Hills State Yellow Jackets                  57

Western Colorado Mountaineers             – 21

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025

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NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.