SPEARFISH - The Black Hills University State football team is used to opening up its season with tough opponents on the road and 2008 will be no different.

After opening up the previous two seasons with NAIA power Carroll, Mont., the Yellow Jackets will square off against Division II Southwest Minnesota State University (1-0 NSIC, 1-0 overall) today at noon.

"They return 10 starters and a three-year starter at quarterback," Black Hills State head coach John Scott said. "We feel that we have more returning experience this season, but I can't imagine what it is like having 10 starters back."

The first meeting between the two schools will be a test for the No. 18 Yellow Jackets as the Mustangs opened the season with a dominating 54-14 victory over Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe Minnesota, Crookston. Quarterback Josh Shudlick passed for a career-high four touchdown passes, and junior running back Zach Wysong is eighth on the school's career rushing list with over 1,300 yards.

"Poise is going to be big for us because we are going to have to keep things in front of us and get used to the speed we are seeing," Scott said. "We need to force them to put some plays together that are eight or 10 play drives and not the two or three."

The tough early tests are not something Scott necessarily searches out each season, but with limited options it is a chance to get his team on the field in a non-conference game.

"We would like to stay with a NAIA opponent but it is hard to find one because teams only have so many non-conference games," Scott said. "We looked at getting a game in California or Texas, but then it becomes a budget decision and it is hard to find."

BHSU returns several starters on the offensive side of the ball led by quarterback Drew Hodgs and running back Tanner Ehrlich, but the Yellow Jackets will be traveling to Marshall, Minn., with nearly a third of their roster made up of inexperienced players.

"We will travel 47 guys and of that 12 to 15 will be seeing their first college action," Scott said.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets will lean on consistent performers like lineman Wacey Coleman, linebacker Tyler Tetrault and defensive back Tony Dill. All three players were first-team all-conference performers last season helping the Yellow Jackets to their second straight Dakota Athletic Conference title.

While Scott is looking for his team to keep the game close early and build from there, he does have concerns about his kicking game.

"We are in some transition with our punter and kicker and snapper, and we just are not getting consistency right now," Scott said. "We have some competition right now, but we need to have someone step up and go with them."

The Yellow Jackets biggest challenge in the game may come from the crowd as Southwest Minnesota State University is expecting its biggest crowd ever as it officially opens its new stadium. There will be a ceremony to open the Regional Event Center and a longer halftime for extra festivities.

"It is their second annual Ag Bowl and they are expecting the governor to be there and it will be a big crowd," Scott said.