YOUNG Jackets up first

IDAHO STATE VS BLACK HILLS STATE | Sept. 5 | 4:05 p.m. | Holt Arena

SEASON OUTLOOK

Black Hills State, a Division II team, is picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Yellow Jackets are young across the board and most likely a year or two removed from contending for a league title. Their defense, in particular, should struggle keeping pace with the Bengals.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS

Phydell Paris

At 5 foot 10, 195 pounds, Paris is a physical, downhill runner who led the Yellow Jackets in rushing with 677 yards as a redshirt freshman. He had another 352 yards receiving. Expect Paris to have an even bigger role this season as Black Hills State breaks in a new quarterback.

Jerome Krysl

Krysl is one of seven seniors on Black Hills roster and a proven threat in the passing game. The 6-foot-3 wideout from Green River, Wyoming, led BHSU with 42 catches in 2014.

Erick Hairston-Belcher

Hairston-Belcher had 171 receiving yards off 24 catches as a freshman, making him one of eight receivers who had at least 20 receptions in the Yellow Jackets’ spread attack. The shifty, 155-pound wideout added 646 yards returning kicks and punts. His 834 all-purpose yards were second on the team behind Paris.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

JJ Kilgore

Kilgore played in all 11 games for Black Hills State in 2014 as a true freshman, finishing with 47 tackles and two interceptions — including a 70-yard interception returned for a touchdown against Fort Lewis.

Travis Tweeten

Joining Kilgore in the defensive backfield is Tweeten, a cornerback who led BHSU with nine pass breakups as a sophomore. The 5-9 corner doesn’t mind getting physical either as he racked up 39 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss last season.

Cody Benne

Black Hills State gave up nearly 190 yards a game on the ground a season ago. If the Yellow Jackets have a shot at getting any better, it starts with Benne, a 276-pound defensive lineman.

THREE TO PONDER

Who will play quarterback?

Gone is three-year starter Ward Anderson, and whoever is going to replace him is a major unknown. Anderson averaged 287.6 yards a game in the air and another 49.9 yards on the ground as a senior. His replacement will likely be redshirt sophomore Zach Meyer or redshirt freshman Ben Sjobakken. Meyer has more experience after throwing for 393 yards in 2014, but BHSU coach John Reiners has indicated they’ll battle it out in the fall to determine who will take over the offense.

What schemes will BHSU run?

Black Hills State hired new offensive and defensive coordinators in the offseason, and their first game of the season is at Idaho State. The Bengals will not have a chance to break down tape to see what kind of changes the Yellow Jackets will implement.

Can ISU avoid the Chadron State catastrophe?

Idaho State was rolling to an easy victory against Chadron State last season before giving up 21 straight points in the fourth quarter, turning a blowout into a tight 39-34 Bengals victory. Black Hills State lost to Chadron 33-28 on the road later that season. This time around — especially in their season opener in front of a charged up home crowd — the Bengals will want to dispose the Division II Yellow Jackets with authority.

WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR THE BENGALS?

With new offensive coordinator Sheldon Cross and transfer quarterback Michael Sanders taking the field to lead ISU’s offense for the first time, this is the perfect game for the Bengals to gain live-action experience against an opponent who shouldn’t be able keep it a close for more than a quarter.

2015 SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at Idaho State

Sept. 12 at South Dakota Mines

Sept. 19 at Fort Lewis

Sept. 26 vs Colorado Mines

Oct. 3 at Colorado Mesa

Oct. 10 vs W. St. Colorado

Oct. 17 at Adams State

Oct. 24 vs Chadron State

Oct. 31 vs Colo. St.-Pueblo

Nov. 7 at New Mexico Highlands

Nov. 14 vs Western New Mexico

2014 RESULTS (3-8)

L at Montana State 57-10

W vs S. Dakota Mines 42-30

W vs Fort Lewis 40-14

L at Colorado Mines 48-21

L vs Colorado Mesa 48-31

L at W. St. Colorado 34-13

L vs Adams State 37-27

L at Chadron State 33-28

L at Colo St.-Pueblo 49-7

W vs New Mex Highlands 30-27

L at W. New Mexico 34-31

2014 NCAA Rankings (Division II)

CATEGORY ypg/ppg rank

Rush Offense 136.1 113

Pass Offense 297.2 24

Total Offense 433.3 54

Scoring Offense 25.5 107

Pass Efficiency 123.78 94

Sacks Allowed 2.09 90

Rush Defense 187.3 123

Pass Eff. Defense 151.54 156

Total Defense 497 164

Scoring Defense 37.4 145

Sacks By 1.64 104

Turnover Margin +.09 79

Notes: Pass efficiency and pass-efficiency defense are measured in ratings points. Turnover margin is measured in net turnovers per game, sacks by and against in number per game