Kadeezy
Active member
Sacramento State doesn't play at the same level as CSU in football.
But Rams coach Steve Fairchild has said repeatedly this week, there's no shortage of talent on the Hornets' roster.
Particularly at linebacker, where the Hornets return all three starters from last year's 3-8 team.
"Watching film on them, they're pretty much all over the field," CSU running back Gartrell Johnson said as the Rams (0-1) prepare for Saturday's home opener against Sacramento State (1-0).
Seniors Mike Brannon and Cyrus Mulitalo were both honorable mention Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) All-Americans last year, and both are preseason candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top linebacker in FCS. Both are four-year starters and, along with fellow linebacker and senior Mike Hickman, anchor the Hornets' 4-3 defense.
Mulitalo, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound middle linebacker from San Leandro, Calif., led the Hornets in tackles the past two seasons with 98 last year and 120 the previous season. His totals last year included 13 1/2 stops behind the line of scrimmage including four quarterback sacks.
Brannon, a 6-2, 235-pound strong-side linebacker from the Sacramento suburb of Rancho Cordova, Calif., was in on 81 tackles last season, including 18 behind the line of scrimmage. He had 9 1/2 quarterback sacks, forced one fumble and recovered another.
And Hickman, the 6-0, 235-pound weak-side linebacker from Millbrae, Calif., was in on 66 tackles last year, including eight for losses, after following coach Marshall Sperbeck from Foothills College in Los Altos, Calif., to Sac State.
"I feel like we're the heart of the team right now," Brannon said. "We all work hard and try to lead by example and by being vocal. Really, it all feeds off us to get everything started."
Brannon and Mulitalo had seven tackles apiece in the Hornets' opener, a 45-13 win over Humboldt State. Hickman had five tackles in that game for a Sac State defense that yielded just 172 total yards and only 64 rushing yards on 32 carries. The Hornets sacked Humboldt State's quarterback four times and forced two turnovers.
"Those guys really get to the ball," CSU running backs coach Anthoney Hill said of the Sac State linebackers. "They really have a nose for it, and when they get there, they'll hit you."
Hill and Johnson said the Rams have been preparing to take big hits from the linebackers during practice this week. Johnson and fellow running backs Kyle Bell, Mike Myers and John Mosure all are being reminded to run hard and low so that they can take a hit and keep going, as Johnson did repeatedly in CSU's season opener when he ran for 95 yards on 12 carries in a 38-17 loss to the University of Colorado.
"When they watch film, they're going, 'These dudes are big,' so we've got to bring it," said Johnson, a 6-0, 225-pound senior. "After that first play, when everyone collides, you say, 'OK, we're ready to go now.' "
Brannon said CSU's offensive line, with an average size of 6-5, 297 pounds, is much bigger than those the Hornets are used to seeing. Sac State's defensive line, which averages 6-3, 258 pounds, is going to have to play its best game ever, Brannon said, to give the linebackers a chance to make plays.
If they do get that chance, though, the Rams could be in trouble.
"They're big and they're strong," Fairchild said of the Sac State linebackers. "They run around, and they make a lot of plays. There's no shortage of talent on Sac State, I promise you. There never has been.
"We'll have to show up and play well, or we'll have no chance."
But Rams coach Steve Fairchild has said repeatedly this week, there's no shortage of talent on the Hornets' roster.
Particularly at linebacker, where the Hornets return all three starters from last year's 3-8 team.
"Watching film on them, they're pretty much all over the field," CSU running back Gartrell Johnson said as the Rams (0-1) prepare for Saturday's home opener against Sacramento State (1-0).
Seniors Mike Brannon and Cyrus Mulitalo were both honorable mention Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) All-Americans last year, and both are preseason candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top linebacker in FCS. Both are four-year starters and, along with fellow linebacker and senior Mike Hickman, anchor the Hornets' 4-3 defense.
Mulitalo, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound middle linebacker from San Leandro, Calif., led the Hornets in tackles the past two seasons with 98 last year and 120 the previous season. His totals last year included 13 1/2 stops behind the line of scrimmage including four quarterback sacks.
Brannon, a 6-2, 235-pound strong-side linebacker from the Sacramento suburb of Rancho Cordova, Calif., was in on 81 tackles last season, including 18 behind the line of scrimmage. He had 9 1/2 quarterback sacks, forced one fumble and recovered another.
And Hickman, the 6-0, 235-pound weak-side linebacker from Millbrae, Calif., was in on 66 tackles last year, including eight for losses, after following coach Marshall Sperbeck from Foothills College in Los Altos, Calif., to Sac State.
"I feel like we're the heart of the team right now," Brannon said. "We all work hard and try to lead by example and by being vocal. Really, it all feeds off us to get everything started."
Brannon and Mulitalo had seven tackles apiece in the Hornets' opener, a 45-13 win over Humboldt State. Hickman had five tackles in that game for a Sac State defense that yielded just 172 total yards and only 64 rushing yards on 32 carries. The Hornets sacked Humboldt State's quarterback four times and forced two turnovers.
"Those guys really get to the ball," CSU running backs coach Anthoney Hill said of the Sac State linebackers. "They really have a nose for it, and when they get there, they'll hit you."
Hill and Johnson said the Rams have been preparing to take big hits from the linebackers during practice this week. Johnson and fellow running backs Kyle Bell, Mike Myers and John Mosure all are being reminded to run hard and low so that they can take a hit and keep going, as Johnson did repeatedly in CSU's season opener when he ran for 95 yards on 12 carries in a 38-17 loss to the University of Colorado.
"When they watch film, they're going, 'These dudes are big,' so we've got to bring it," said Johnson, a 6-0, 225-pound senior. "After that first play, when everyone collides, you say, 'OK, we're ready to go now.' "
Brannon said CSU's offensive line, with an average size of 6-5, 297 pounds, is much bigger than those the Hornets are used to seeing. Sac State's defensive line, which averages 6-3, 258 pounds, is going to have to play its best game ever, Brannon said, to give the linebackers a chance to make plays.
If they do get that chance, though, the Rams could be in trouble.
"They're big and they're strong," Fairchild said of the Sac State linebackers. "They run around, and they make a lot of plays. There's no shortage of talent on Sac State, I promise you. There never has been.
"We'll have to show up and play well, or we'll have no chance."
