Kadeezy
Active member
FOOTBALL LOOKS TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM AGAINST SOUTHERN OREGON
9/9/2008
The Sacramento State football team came within seconds of upsetting Colorado State last weekend before falling to the Rams, 23-20, in Fort Collins, Colo. The team will now have the challenge of bouncing back as it hosts Southern Oregon at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Hornet Stadium.
The contest can be heard locally on KRJY 1240 AM with Jason Ross handling the play-by-play and Steve McElroy adding the color commentary. For those outside the greater Sacramento area, audio of the game will also be available on the internet at www.hornetsports.com and video is provided by BigSkyTV.org.
At Colorado State, the Hornets led 20-17 until Ben DeLine tied the game with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Momentum then swung to CSU when it recovered a fumble leading to DeLine’s game-winning 20-yard field goal as time expired to give Colorado State a 23-20 win.
Sacramento State was able to move the ball against the Rams as the team rushed for 105 yards and passed for 205. Senior Tony Washington led the way with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
The Hornets’ 1-1 overall record is still the best start to a season since the 2004 team opened with a loss at Nevada and a win over Southern Utah. That team ended the year 3-8 overall.
Southern Oregon is also 1-1 with wins over Montana Tech and a loss to Humboldt State. The Raiders are led by former UC Davis quarterback Bryan Lee-Lauduski. Against HSU, SOU built a 9-0 lead and eventually led 11-3 before seeing the Lumberjacks come back. The Raiders had two chances to win the game but were intercepted on both possessions.
The all-time series between the two teams dates back to 1955. Sacramento State won the first four meetings before Southern Oregon was able to win in 1962. The 7-6 victory over the Raiders in 1955 marked the first win in program history for the Hornets.
Quick Hitters
• Through two games this season, Sacramento State has had a pair of 100-yard rushers and a 100-yard receiver.
• After throwing 17 interceptions last season, QB Jason Smith has not been picked off this year.
• The Hornets held the lead or were tied against Colorado State for 42:35 of the game.
• Sacramento State’s first win in program history came against Southern Utah in 1955.
A Look at the Hornets
Colorado State Game Recap
Ben DeLine kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to end Sacramento State’s upset bid of Colorado State and lift the Rams to a 23-20 victory on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.
The Hornets struck on their opening drive when Jason Smith found Kyle Hill in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play. The Rams, however, answered back with 22 seconds left in the opening period when Billy Farris connected with Kory Sperry for a 22-yard touchdown.
Sacramento State took a 10-7 lead into halftime following a 31-yard field goal from Juan Gamboa midway through the quarter.
Colorado State took its first lead of the game when Gartrell Johnson scored from 1-yard out five minutes into the second half. Gamboa pulled the Hornets within one, 14-13, with a 43-yard field goal.
DeLine stretched CSU’s lead back to four points with a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth period. That advantage lasted just over two minutes before Sacramento State took a 20-17 lead with a 40-yard touchdown reception form Tony Washington in which he was able to reach over the back of the CSU defender to grab to ball and retained possession as he fell to the ground for the score.
Colorado State tied the game with a methodical 16-play, 61-yard drive that ate up 8:34 and was capped by a 36-yard field goal from DeLine.
The ensuing kickoff return brought the ball out to the Hornet 28-yard line. After an incompletion on first down, the team handed the ball off to Evander Wilkins who was immediately met by James Morehead resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Mike Pagnotta with 1:12 to play. That turnover setup DeLine’s third field goal of the day.
A Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, Sacramento State was able to set some program records against Colorado State. Since the team began playing Div. I-AA/FBS opponents in 2002, the three-point margin of defeat was easily the lowest in school history. In fact, in the previous games against UTEP, Oregon State, Nevada, California, Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico, the team lost by an average of 39.6 points. The previous closest game was last season’s 24-3 loss at Fresno State.
The Hornets were also able to score their most points against an FBS opponent during the span. The 20 points easily beat the previous high of 12 which came at UTEP in 2002.
The defense also did its part, limiting CSU to 23 points which was one point lower than Fresno State’s total last year.
Sacramento State was also able to take its first lead against an FBS opponent since 2002 when Kyle Hill scored on fourth down on the opening drive.
Not Without a Price
One consequence of battling against a bigger team for four quarters is injuries and the Hornets are feeling the effects. Running back Bryan Hilliard did not play in the second half after injuring his AC joint in his shoulder. QB Jason Smith injured his ankle late in the game but remained in the contest. Defensive back Michael Casper did not play in the fourth quarter with a concussion and tight end Brian Heath injured his elbow.
None of the players have been ruled out for this week’s game against Southern Oregon.
Fourth-Down Frenzy
One thing Marshall Sperbeck has proven since the start of last season is that he is not afraid to go for it on fourth down. In 2007, the Hornets were 15-of-29 on 4th. In the first two games of this season, the team has been extremely effective on fourth down, converting on 5-of-7 chances for a 71.0 percent success rate. Two of those conversions have resulted in touchdowns in the opening drive of each game.
Third-Down Meltdown
While the Hornets have been near perfect converting on fourth down, Colorado State had its way with the Sacramento State defense on third down. Last Saturday, the Rams converted 12-of-15 third down tries helping preserve a couple of scoring drives.
The Hornets were pretty effective as well, picking up seven first downs on 14 third-down attempts. In fact, the two teams were so efficient that Sacramento State punted just two times in the game and CSU did not punt.
What a Difference a Year Makes
It is safe to say that Jason Smith suffered some growing pains last year as a redshirt freshman starter in all 11 games for Sacramento State. The Brentwood, Calif., native completed 53.5 percent of his passes and ended the season with 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for an efficiency rating of 103.76 which ranked 92nd nationally and eighth in the Big Sky.
Through two games this year, Smith ranks 11th in the FCS and second in the Big Sky with a QB rating of 164.04. He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes (26-of-41) and has four touchdowns without an interception.
Smith has also been consistent against both Humboldt State and Colorado State, completing at least 60 percent of his passes in each game and throwing for two TDs against both opponents.
Truly Something Special
Sacramento State has received a big boost from its kicking game in the opening two games. The tandem of seniors Juan Gamboa and Oscar De Alba have done their jobs scoring points and pinning the opposition deep on the field.
Gamboa is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 43-yarder at Colorado State which pulled the team within one. He has also showed his power on kickoffs with seven touchbacks on his 13 attempts.
De Alba has punted just three times this season but is averaging 45.7 yards per kick. Two of his three punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line and the Hornets rank fifth in the FCS in net punting.
Oh So Close
Through the first 121 offensive plays of the season, Sacramento State did not commit a turnover. Unfortunately for the Hornets, that streak ended on the final offensive play for Sacramento State at CSU. Had the Hornets been able to hold onto the ball it would have marked the first time that the team had recorded back-to-back games without a turnover since 2000.
It’s Your Pick
After grabbing just six interceptions last season, the Hornet defense is on pace to double that total in 2008. In the season opener against Humboldt State freshman Deionte Gordon intercepted a pass and returned the ball back to the 10-yard line to set up a Sacramento State touchdown.
Last weekend, it was sophomore Peter Buck who saved a Colorado State touchdown with an interception at 2-yard line in the second quarter.
The interception was the first for both players during their collegiate career.
The school record for interceptions in a season came in 1985 where the team picked off 21 passes in 11 games. The Div. I-AA/FCS era record came in 1994 with 18.
A Look at the Raiders
• The Rams are 1-1 on the year with a come-from-behind victory over Montana Tech and a 15-14 loss to Humboldt State.
• Against the Lumberjacks, Southern Oregon quarterback Bryan Lee-Lauduski threw for 343 yards on 28-of-47. The transfer from UC Davis had one touchdown but also threw four touchdowns.
• Darryl Price has been Lee-Lauduski’s favorite target this season. Price has caught 17 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown.
• Defensively, Kenrick Baker and Anthony Scolamieri are tied for the team lead with 14 total tackles. Scolamieri leads the team wtih 5.0 tackles-for-loss.
Big Sky Notes
• Montana’s Andrew Schmidt was the Big Sky offensive player of the week after rushing for 145 yards a TD and also blocking a punt.
Montana’s Brandon Fisher earned the defensive award with seven tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble.
Idaho State’s JD Ponciano was given the special teams honor after tallying 144 return yards on four attempts at Idaho.
9/9/2008
The Sacramento State football team came within seconds of upsetting Colorado State last weekend before falling to the Rams, 23-20, in Fort Collins, Colo. The team will now have the challenge of bouncing back as it hosts Southern Oregon at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Hornet Stadium.
The contest can be heard locally on KRJY 1240 AM with Jason Ross handling the play-by-play and Steve McElroy adding the color commentary. For those outside the greater Sacramento area, audio of the game will also be available on the internet at www.hornetsports.com and video is provided by BigSkyTV.org.
At Colorado State, the Hornets led 20-17 until Ben DeLine tied the game with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Momentum then swung to CSU when it recovered a fumble leading to DeLine’s game-winning 20-yard field goal as time expired to give Colorado State a 23-20 win.
Sacramento State was able to move the ball against the Rams as the team rushed for 105 yards and passed for 205. Senior Tony Washington led the way with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
The Hornets’ 1-1 overall record is still the best start to a season since the 2004 team opened with a loss at Nevada and a win over Southern Utah. That team ended the year 3-8 overall.
Southern Oregon is also 1-1 with wins over Montana Tech and a loss to Humboldt State. The Raiders are led by former UC Davis quarterback Bryan Lee-Lauduski. Against HSU, SOU built a 9-0 lead and eventually led 11-3 before seeing the Lumberjacks come back. The Raiders had two chances to win the game but were intercepted on both possessions.
The all-time series between the two teams dates back to 1955. Sacramento State won the first four meetings before Southern Oregon was able to win in 1962. The 7-6 victory over the Raiders in 1955 marked the first win in program history for the Hornets.
Quick Hitters
• Through two games this season, Sacramento State has had a pair of 100-yard rushers and a 100-yard receiver.
• After throwing 17 interceptions last season, QB Jason Smith has not been picked off this year.
• The Hornets held the lead or were tied against Colorado State for 42:35 of the game.
• Sacramento State’s first win in program history came against Southern Utah in 1955.
A Look at the Hornets
Colorado State Game Recap
Ben DeLine kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to end Sacramento State’s upset bid of Colorado State and lift the Rams to a 23-20 victory on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.
The Hornets struck on their opening drive when Jason Smith found Kyle Hill in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play. The Rams, however, answered back with 22 seconds left in the opening period when Billy Farris connected with Kory Sperry for a 22-yard touchdown.
Sacramento State took a 10-7 lead into halftime following a 31-yard field goal from Juan Gamboa midway through the quarter.
Colorado State took its first lead of the game when Gartrell Johnson scored from 1-yard out five minutes into the second half. Gamboa pulled the Hornets within one, 14-13, with a 43-yard field goal.
DeLine stretched CSU’s lead back to four points with a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth period. That advantage lasted just over two minutes before Sacramento State took a 20-17 lead with a 40-yard touchdown reception form Tony Washington in which he was able to reach over the back of the CSU defender to grab to ball and retained possession as he fell to the ground for the score.
Colorado State tied the game with a methodical 16-play, 61-yard drive that ate up 8:34 and was capped by a 36-yard field goal from DeLine.
The ensuing kickoff return brought the ball out to the Hornet 28-yard line. After an incompletion on first down, the team handed the ball off to Evander Wilkins who was immediately met by James Morehead resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Mike Pagnotta with 1:12 to play. That turnover setup DeLine’s third field goal of the day.
A Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, Sacramento State was able to set some program records against Colorado State. Since the team began playing Div. I-AA/FBS opponents in 2002, the three-point margin of defeat was easily the lowest in school history. In fact, in the previous games against UTEP, Oregon State, Nevada, California, Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico, the team lost by an average of 39.6 points. The previous closest game was last season’s 24-3 loss at Fresno State.
The Hornets were also able to score their most points against an FBS opponent during the span. The 20 points easily beat the previous high of 12 which came at UTEP in 2002.
The defense also did its part, limiting CSU to 23 points which was one point lower than Fresno State’s total last year.
Sacramento State was also able to take its first lead against an FBS opponent since 2002 when Kyle Hill scored on fourth down on the opening drive.
Not Without a Price
One consequence of battling against a bigger team for four quarters is injuries and the Hornets are feeling the effects. Running back Bryan Hilliard did not play in the second half after injuring his AC joint in his shoulder. QB Jason Smith injured his ankle late in the game but remained in the contest. Defensive back Michael Casper did not play in the fourth quarter with a concussion and tight end Brian Heath injured his elbow.
None of the players have been ruled out for this week’s game against Southern Oregon.
Fourth-Down Frenzy
One thing Marshall Sperbeck has proven since the start of last season is that he is not afraid to go for it on fourth down. In 2007, the Hornets were 15-of-29 on 4th. In the first two games of this season, the team has been extremely effective on fourth down, converting on 5-of-7 chances for a 71.0 percent success rate. Two of those conversions have resulted in touchdowns in the opening drive of each game.
Third-Down Meltdown
While the Hornets have been near perfect converting on fourth down, Colorado State had its way with the Sacramento State defense on third down. Last Saturday, the Rams converted 12-of-15 third down tries helping preserve a couple of scoring drives.
The Hornets were pretty effective as well, picking up seven first downs on 14 third-down attempts. In fact, the two teams were so efficient that Sacramento State punted just two times in the game and CSU did not punt.
What a Difference a Year Makes
It is safe to say that Jason Smith suffered some growing pains last year as a redshirt freshman starter in all 11 games for Sacramento State. The Brentwood, Calif., native completed 53.5 percent of his passes and ended the season with 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for an efficiency rating of 103.76 which ranked 92nd nationally and eighth in the Big Sky.
Through two games this year, Smith ranks 11th in the FCS and second in the Big Sky with a QB rating of 164.04. He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes (26-of-41) and has four touchdowns without an interception.
Smith has also been consistent against both Humboldt State and Colorado State, completing at least 60 percent of his passes in each game and throwing for two TDs against both opponents.
Truly Something Special
Sacramento State has received a big boost from its kicking game in the opening two games. The tandem of seniors Juan Gamboa and Oscar De Alba have done their jobs scoring points and pinning the opposition deep on the field.
Gamboa is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 43-yarder at Colorado State which pulled the team within one. He has also showed his power on kickoffs with seven touchbacks on his 13 attempts.
De Alba has punted just three times this season but is averaging 45.7 yards per kick. Two of his three punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line and the Hornets rank fifth in the FCS in net punting.
Oh So Close
Through the first 121 offensive plays of the season, Sacramento State did not commit a turnover. Unfortunately for the Hornets, that streak ended on the final offensive play for Sacramento State at CSU. Had the Hornets been able to hold onto the ball it would have marked the first time that the team had recorded back-to-back games without a turnover since 2000.
It’s Your Pick
After grabbing just six interceptions last season, the Hornet defense is on pace to double that total in 2008. In the season opener against Humboldt State freshman Deionte Gordon intercepted a pass and returned the ball back to the 10-yard line to set up a Sacramento State touchdown.
Last weekend, it was sophomore Peter Buck who saved a Colorado State touchdown with an interception at 2-yard line in the second quarter.
The interception was the first for both players during their collegiate career.
The school record for interceptions in a season came in 1985 where the team picked off 21 passes in 11 games. The Div. I-AA/FCS era record came in 1994 with 18.
A Look at the Raiders
• The Rams are 1-1 on the year with a come-from-behind victory over Montana Tech and a 15-14 loss to Humboldt State.
• Against the Lumberjacks, Southern Oregon quarterback Bryan Lee-Lauduski threw for 343 yards on 28-of-47. The transfer from UC Davis had one touchdown but also threw four touchdowns.
• Darryl Price has been Lee-Lauduski’s favorite target this season. Price has caught 17 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown.
• Defensively, Kenrick Baker and Anthony Scolamieri are tied for the team lead with 14 total tackles. Scolamieri leads the team wtih 5.0 tackles-for-loss.
Big Sky Notes
• Montana’s Andrew Schmidt was the Big Sky offensive player of the week after rushing for 145 yards a TD and also blocking a punt.
Montana’s Brandon Fisher earned the defensive award with seven tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble.
Idaho State’s JD Ponciano was given the special teams honor after tallying 144 return yards on four attempts at Idaho.
