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Week 13 - Sac State vs Causeway

SDHornet

SDHornet

Moderator
Staff member
Week 13 - Sac State vs Causeway

The flailing Hornets (3-8, 1-6 BSC) finish the regular season at home in the Causeway against the 5th ranked (9-2, 6-1 BSC) opponent. The Hornets season ended many weeks ago while the Causeway foe is looking to secure a top seed into the postseason in Head Coach Tim Plough’s inaugural season at the helm with a senior laden team.

They have had an exceptional season but are coming into this game having their BSC Title hopes dashed in a loss at home to top ranked Montana State, 28-30. Last week was their first loss since a 13-31 opening week loss at Cal. They have had a few close games this season. In week 5, they had a good win at home over 5th ranked Idaho, 28-26.

Their offense is very dynamic that lines up and out of the pistol/shotgun formation and can also spread things out and throw the ball all over the field. The offense runs through prolific running back Lan Larison (232 car, 1173 yds, 11 TD, 54 rec, 686 yds, 6 TD) who leads the team in rushing and receiving and can line up anywhere on the field. Quarterback Miles Hastings (276/400, 3347 yds, 29 TD, 7 INT) has thrived in the new offensive system. At wide receiver the trio of Samuel Gbatu (33 rec, 538 yds, 6 TD), Chaz Davis (29 rec, 504 yds, 6 TD), and CJ Hutton (37 rec, 458 yds, 1 TD) all have big play potential. Up front they have had consistency with their starters and have stayed relatively healthy all season long. Their offensive line is versatile in both the run and passing game, but they have given up the 2nd most sacks in the BSC.

Offensive Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 34.6 (4th BSC / 16th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 457.2 ypg (139.3 rushing ypg / 319.9 passing ypg) - 3rd (10th / 1st) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 23 (11th BSC)
  • Turnovers: 8/7 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 44/50 - 30/14 (TD/FG) - 4th BSC
Defensively they have shown a lot of 3-3-5 looks and have statistically been in the top 3rd of the BSC in most defensive categories. They have excellent pursuit to the ball, especially on the edges and they lead the BSC in interceptions. Cal Poly transfer linebacker David Meyer (95 tkl, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sac, 3 INT) has steadied the defense with safety standout Rex Connors (79 tkl, 3 TFL, 0.5 sac, 2 INT) and his brother Porter Conner (61 tkl, 5.5 TFL, 1 sac, 3 INT) at linebacker rounding out the top 3 tacklers on the defense. Defensive end Zach Kennedy (23 tkl, 4 TFL, 2 sac) has anchored the front.

Defensive Team Stats
  • Points allowed per game: 21.7 (3rd BSC / 28th FCS)
  • Total Defense: 346.5 ypg (122.0 rushing ypg / 224.5 passing ypg) - 3rd (2nd / 5th) BSC
  • Sacks : 12 (10th BSC)
  • Turnovers Forced: 13/6 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 26/34 - 21/5 (TD/FG) - 1st BSC
Their kicker Hunter Ridley (16/18 FG, 41/43 PAT) has been consistent all season long and has a long of 46 yards on the season. Punter Ben Banks-Altekruse (44 pnt, 47.6 ypp) has dropped about a third of his punts inside the 20 and has a long of 50 yards on the season. They have a strong kickoff return game with CJ Hutton (22.6 ypr) who has a return of 72 yards on the season.

Hornet Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 28.4 (7th BSC / 39th FCS)
  • Points allowed per game: 34.1 (8th BSC / 105th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 401.0 ypg (149.4 rushing ypg / 251.6 passing ypg) - 8th (8th / 3rd) BSC
  • Total Defense: 413.1 ypg (177.0 rushing ypg / 236.1 passing ypg) - 7th (8th / 9th) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 13 (T-4th BSC)
  • Sacks: 26 (2nd BSC)
  • Turnovers: 12/11 (INT/Fum)
  • Turnovers Forced: 9/10 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone Offense: 37/46 - 27/10 (TD/FG) - 9th BSC
  • Red Zone Defense: 36/45 - 27/9 (TD/FG) - 2nd BSC
Position Advantage
  • Quarterback: Them. Miles Hastings has more experience and is a slightly better thrower than Carson Conklin, but Conklin is more mobile in the pocket.
  • Running Backs: Them. Lan Larison is the best in the land, even when Elijah Tau-Tolliver is atop his game.
  • Wide Receivers: Them. Slight edge to them as Samuel Gbatu and Chaz Davis have more big play potential, but Jared Gipson and Anderson Grover are having statistically better season…because why wouldn’t you feed the ball to Larison as much as possible.
  • Tight Ends: Them. With Coleman Kuntz out with an injury, Winston Williams will be the best end on the field.
  • Offensive Line: Them. One offensive line has been relatively healthy all season, while the other is starting a hodgepodge of backups.
  • Defensive Line: Them. Their line has better size and plays the run a lot better than the Hornets. The Hornets rush the passer better when healthy. Given the Hornet injuries up front, the scale easily tips in their favor.
  • Linebackers: Them. Will Leota has had a notable season, unfortunately the Nakian Jackson injury leaves a glaring void at this position. David Meyer and Porter Conners will be the better unit by a considerable degree.
  • Defensive Backs: Them. Between Rex Connor at safety and Kavir Bains at nickel, they have the clear edge in the secondary.
  • Punters: Hornets. Somehow the Hornets have less punts on the year than they do.
  • Kickers: Push. Both Zach Schreiner and Hunter Ridley are having excellent seasons.
  • Kick Returners: Them. CJ Hutton has the bigger return and better average on the year compared to Michael Johnson. Both are solid returners.

This game shouldn’t be close and it should be a very lopsided final score. They will be vying to make an exclamation point for the playoff committee while the Hornets started making offseason plans weeks ago.

Even if the Hornet defense was healthy, I don’t think they would have had much hope of slowing down their high powered offense. There are matchup issues all over the field for the Hornet defense and no one in FCS has proven they have an answer for Lan Larison…certainly this horrific Hornet defense won’t. I fully expect Coach Plough to run up the score in this one.

On the other side of the ball, the Hornets will be facing a stout defense with quality players at every level. As much as I "ring in praise" over Carson Conklin, he has yet to have a good game against a quality defense. I think they will bring the pressure given all the injuries the Hornets are facing on the offensive line. Then there are the inconsistencies with Coach Fresques’ play calling that will no doubt be horrific for this game. Bobby had a very questionable game plan for last season's Causeway and I think he will be on tilt for this game. Given the desperation on this side of the ball to make it a game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some gadget plays mixed in that will surely backfire on the Hornets.

All in all, I don’t expect anything from the Hornets this weekend as this nightmare of a season will come to a close in a resounding loss. Hornet fans will then set their sights and speculations on changes to the staff.

Stingers Up!

Montana State at Causeway foe Highlights
 
BuckeyeHornetFan said:
SD — I gotta give you a lot of credit for having the time, energy, and strength to continue doing these breakdowns/write ups. You’re a great fan.
Click to expand...
SD is just a Hornet fan deep down like the rest of us. It just means he’s a sick fuck. 😁

We have a magic attendance number to hit to reach the attendance goal the Sac 12 initiative set, and I have heard we are still about 5k short. We do get a walk up crowd on non sold out Causeway games, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.

I don’t want Conklin to get hurt - I think that’s my only goal for this game. I want him to have a full spring with whoever our new offensive coordinator is. And if we don’t have a new offensive coordinator by spring ball, well, I think Luke Baker and that JUCO kid might be our only QBs left in the room. Yes, read that part closely.
 
stingthemgood said:
SD is just a Hornet fan deep down like the rest of us. It just means he’s a sick fuck. 😁

We have a magic attendance number to hit to reach the attendance goal the Sac 12 initiative set, and I have heard we are still about 5k short. We do get a walk up crowd on non sold out Causeway games, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.

I don’t want Conklin to get hurt - I think that’s my only goal for this game. I want him to have a full spring with whoever our new offensive coordinator is. And if we don’t have a new offensive coordinator by spring ball, well, I think Luke Baker and that JUCO kid might be our only QBs left in the room. Yes, read that part closely.
Click to expand...

Then bye-bye Bobby.
 
stingthemgood said:
We have a magic attendance number to hit to reach the attendance goal the Sac 12 initiative set, and I have heard we are still about 5k short. We do get a walk up crowd on non sold out Causeway games, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.
Click to expand...

When I shared my skepticism about reaching that magic attendance number a few week ago based upon how the season had been unfolding --- I was assured by several members of this forum that it wouldn't be a problem.

I even mentioned poor weather potentially becoming a roadblock to an attendance number worthy of the Causeway Classic. Well, the forecast calls for steady rain over the next 7 days or so.

We saw what rain did to our home playoff crowds. Even though it's "UCD", I'm not convinced that's going to matter near as much as usual.

FWIW, I get out to a lot of high school games around the area every single season. And I've noticed a significant drop in attendance during rain games. And that applies to the Hornet games I've attended over the past 5 years.

IDK why it is, but the masses in this area seem less likely to attend weather games than they used to in the past.

I hope I'm wrong and those that said it wouldn't be a problem are right --- but I'm not feeling very confident about it. And now STG's post makes me feel even less confident.
 
stingthemgood said:
I don’t want Conklin to get hurt - I think that’s my only goal for this game. I want him to have a full spring with whoever our new offensive coordinator is. And if we don’t have a new offensive coordinator by spring ball, well, I think Luke Baker and that JUCO kid might be our only QBs left in the room. Yes, read that part closely.
Click to expand...

Conklin is one of a few reasons I didn't completely lose interest once it was apparent the season was a lost cause.

The Hornets have one of the better QB prospects they've ever had and he's still technically a freshman. Whatever they need to do to keep him in SAC and boost his development --- they'd better do it!
 
stingthemgood said:
SD is just a Hornet fan deep down like the rest of us. It just means he’s a sick fuck. 😁

We have a magic attendance number to hit to reach the attendance goal the Sac 12 initiative set, and I have heard we are still about 5k short. We do get a walk up crowd on non sold out Causeway games, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.

I don’t want Conklin to get hurt - I think that’s my only goal for this game. I want him to have a full spring with whoever our new offensive coordinator is. And if we don’t have a new offensive coordinator by spring ball, well, I think Luke Baker and that JUCO kid might be our only QBs left in the room. Yes, read that part closely.
Click to expand...
We are all demented in our own ways. The recent threepeat makes season like this all the more palatable. House money since '19.

Interesting on the Fresques-Conklin situation. I would think keeping Bobby gives us the best chance at retaining Conklin as the odds of a new OC brining in an RPO would be high. I don't see Conklin sticking around with an RPO system in place, but maybe I just have the wrong read of the situation.
 
BF is just being arrogant, you have to adapt quicker in college, it’s not like hs where you can run the same thing forever and it still always works. Also it’s not about any one single player. We need to add a lot of players, fast. Even Conklin will be gone in another year if he has a great next season and we win more games, he has to, fbs will throw 6 digits at him, he’ll have to go. I wouldn’t be mad, not many sac st kids are going to make 6 figures lthat fast. It’s only a QB will command that type of money. You can be certain that the other positions, including the ones that went to UW aren’t getting much. Maybe a couple thousands a month (for a year for Broussard) and if you don’t start/ball out, you would be in worse position for NFL vs staying and being a star at Sac St.
 
Looks like a good window of clear weather around the game time for tomorrow. I would say this helps us with a pocket passer QB, but not enough to make any real difference. We "win" this game by Conklin not getting hurt, and the coaching staff not pissing him off so much that he decides to hit the portal.

I have never predicted a UCD win in the Causeway, but this is a year of firsts in Hornet Land, so sadly - here goes...

UCD 38
SAC 10


Still... #StingersUp #CowsDown
 
Last edited:
SDHornet said:
Week 13 - Sac State vs Causeway

The flailing Hornets (3-8, 1-6 BSC) finish the regular season at home in the Causeway against the 5th ranked (9-2, 6-1 BSC) opponent. The Hornets season ended many weeks ago while the Causeway foe is looking to secure a top seed into the postseason in Head Coach Tim Plough’s inaugural season at the helm with a senior laden team.

They have had an exceptional season but are coming into this game having their BSC Title hopes dashed in a loss at home to top ranked Montana State, 28-30. Last week was their first loss since a 13-31 opening week loss at Cal. They have had a few close games this season. In week 5, they had a good win at home over 5th ranked Idaho, 28-26.

Their offense is very dynamic that lines up and out of the pistol/shotgun formation and can also spread things out and throw the ball all over the field. The offense runs through prolific running back Lan Larison (232 car, 1173 yds, 11 TD, 54 rec, 686 yds, 6 TD) who leads the team in rushing and receiving and can line up anywhere on the field. Quarterback Miles Hastings (276/400, 3347 yds, 29 TD, 7 INT) has thrived in the new offensive system. At wide receiver the trio of Samuel Gbatu (33 rec, 538 yds, 6 TD), Chaz Davis (29 rec, 504 yds, 6 TD), and CJ Hutton (37 rec, 458 yds, 1 TD) all have big play potential. Up front they have had consistency with their starters and have stayed relatively healthy all season long. Their offensive line is versatile in both the run and passing game, but they have given up the 2nd most sacks in the BSC.

Offensive Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 34.6 (4th BSC / 16th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 457.2 ypg (139.3 rushing ypg / 319.9 passing ypg) - 3rd (10th / 1st) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 23 (11th BSC)
  • Turnovers: 8/7 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 44/50 - 30/14 (TD/FG) - 4th BSC
Defensively they have shown a lot of 3-3-5 looks and have statistically been in the top 3rd of the BSC in most defensive categories. They have excellent pursuit to the ball, especially on the edges and they lead the BSC in interceptions. Cal Poly transfer linebacker David Meyer (95 tkl, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sac, 3 INT) has steadied the defense with safety standout Rex Connors (79 tkl, 3 TFL, 0.5 sac, 2 INT) and his brother Porter Conner (61 tkl, 5.5 TFL, 1 sac, 3 INT) at linebacker rounding out the top 3 tacklers on the defense. Defensive end Zach Kennedy (23 tkl, 4 TFL, 2 sac) has anchored the front.

Defensive Team Stats
  • Points allowed per game: 21.7 (3rd BSC / 28th FCS)
  • Total Defense: 346.5 ypg (122.0 rushing ypg / 224.5 passing ypg) - 3rd (2nd / 5th) BSC
  • Sacks : 12 (10th BSC)
  • Turnovers Forced: 13/6 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 26/34 - 21/5 (TD/FG) - 1st BSC
Their kicker Hunter Ridley (16/18 FG, 41/43 PAT) has been consistent all season long and has a long of 46 yards on the season. Punter Ben Banks-Altekruse (44 pnt, 47.6 ypp) has dropped about a third of his punts inside the 20 and has a long of 50 yards on the season. They have a strong kickoff return game with CJ Hutton (22.6 ypr) who has a return of 72 yards on the season.

Hornet Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 28.4 (7th BSC / 39th FCS)
  • Points allowed per game: 34.1 (8th BSC / 105th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 401.0 ypg (149.4 rushing ypg / 251.6 passing ypg) - 8th (8th / 3rd) BSC
  • Total Defense: 413.1 ypg (177.0 rushing ypg / 236.1 passing ypg) - 7th (8th / 9th) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 13 (T-4th BSC)
  • Sacks: 26 (2nd BSC)
  • Turnovers: 12/11 (INT/Fum)
  • Turnovers Forced: 9/10 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone Offense: 37/46 - 27/10 (TD/FG) - 9th BSC
  • Red Zone Defense: 36/45 - 27/9 (TD/FG) - 2nd BSC
Position Advantage
  • Quarterback: Them. Miles Hastings has more experience and is a slightly better thrower than Carson Conklin, but Conklin is more mobile in the pocket.
  • Running Backs: Them. Lan Larison is the best in the land, even when Elijah Tau-Tolliver is atop his game.
  • Wide Receivers: Them. Slight edge to them as Samuel Gbatu and Chaz Davis have more big play potential, but Jared Gipson and Anderson Grover are having statistically better season…because why wouldn’t you feed the ball to Larison as much as possible.
  • Tight Ends: Them. With Coleman Kuntz out with an injury, Winston Williams will be the best end on the field.
  • Offensive Line: Them. One offensive line has been relatively healthy all season, while the other is starting a hodgepodge of backups.
  • Defensive Line: Them. Their line has better size and plays the run a lot better than the Hornets. The Hornets rush the passer better when healthy. Given the Hornet injuries up front, the scale easily tips in their favor.
  • Linebackers: Them. Will Leota has had a notable season, unfortunately the Nakian Jackson injury leaves a glaring void at this position. David Meyer and Porter Conners will be the better unit by a considerable degree.
  • Defensive Backs: Them. Between Rex Connor at safety and Kavir Bains at nickel, they have the clear edge in the secondary.
  • Punters: Hornets. Somehow the Hornets have less punts on the year than they do.
  • Kickers: Push. Both Zach Schreiner and Hunter Ridley are having excellent seasons.
  • Kick Returners: Them. CJ Hutton has the bigger return and better average on the year compared to Michael Johnson. Both are solid returners.

This game shouldn’t be close and it should be a very lopsided final score. They will be vying to make an exclamation point for the playoff committee while the Hornets started making offseason plans weeks ago.

Even if the Hornet defense was healthy, I don’t think they would have had much hope of slowing down their high powered offense. There are matchup issues all over the field for the Hornet defense and no one in FCS has proven they have an answer for Lan Larison…certainly this horrific Hornet defense won’t. I fully expect Coach Plough to run up the score in this one.

On the other side of the ball, the Hornets will be facing a stout defense with quality players at every level. As much as I "ring in praise" over Carson Conklin, he has yet to have a good game against a quality defense. I think they will bring the pressure given all the injuries the Hornets are facing on the offensive line. Then there are the inconsistencies with Coach Fresques’ play calling that will no doubt be horrific for this game. Bobby had a very questionable game plan for last season's Causeway and I think he will be on tilt for this game. Given the desperation on this side of the ball to make it a game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some gadget plays mixed in that will surely backfire on the Hornets.

All in all, I don’t expect anything from the Hornets this weekend as this nightmare of a season will come to a close in a resounding loss. Hornet fans will then set their sights and speculations on changes to the staff.

Stingers Up!

Montana State at Causeway foe Highlights
Click to expand...
This is good stuff, SDHornet. Well done.
Go Ags.
 
Gotta say......these games are unpredictable. There have been upset victories on both sides. Davis beat Sac during the Ron G**** era, when we had NO business winning any football games. These were pillow fights in general because Sac sucked too....but Davis was hapless.

Davis is the heavy favorite for sure, but if Sac can get up for the game with who they are able to put on the field (injuries) they could put up a fight.
 
Kadeezy said:
Looks like a good window of clear weather around the game time for tomorrow. I would say this helps us with a pocket passer QB, but not enough to make any real difference. We "win" this game by Conklin not getting hurt, and the coaching staff not pissing him off so much that he decides to hit the portal.

I have never predicted a UCD win in the Causeway, but this is a year of firsts in Hornet Land, so sadly - here goes...

UCD 38
SAC 10


Still... #StingersUp #CowsDown
Click to expand...
Agree SADLY… we will get beaten soundly by 21-28 point spread I anticipate unless SAC ST comes out with a lack of passion which I wouldn’t anticipate in a Causeway Classic,

Every once in awhile… you get lucky?

Are they over looking Hornets? Possibly?

It’s why we will all be in attendance or on TV!

Go Hornets
 

"Wilton Rancheria is continuing its dive into the Sacramento sports scene. The Native American tribe — which recently bought a controlling interest of the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team and announced plans for a new, privately-financed $217 million stadium in the downtown Railyards — is partnering with the Sacramento State athletic department through its Sky River Casino in a new multi-year agreement."

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article296011089.html#storylink=cpy
 
They didn't exactly commit to building the stadium at Sac State in that article....

"Wood was asked if the money from the agreement has been allocated toward funding the stadium. “So they have absolutely contributed to Sacramento State athletics in a number of different ways, some of which have been private, some of which have been public in terms of the stadium,” Wood said. “Right now, the tribe has a stadium plan for the Railyards. We have a stadium plan for the campus, and who knows what the future holds.”

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article296011089.html#storylink=cpy
 
Phantom Hornet said:

"Wilton Rancheria is continuing its dive into the Sacramento sports scene. The Native American tribe — which recently bought a controlling interest of the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team and announced plans for a new, privately-financed $217 million stadium in the downtown Railyards — is partnering with the Sacramento State athletic department through its Sky River Casino in a new multi-year agreement."

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article296011089.html#storylink=cpy
Click to expand...


Wilton Rancheria is continuing its dive into the Sacramento sports scene. The Native American tribe — which recently bought a controlling interest of the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team and announced plans for a new, privately-financed $217 million stadium in the downtown Railyards — is partnering with the Sacramento State athletic department through its Sky River Casino in a new multi-year agreement. TOP VIDEOS The deal was announced Friday at the Elk Grove casino by Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango, Sacramento State President Luke Wood and associate athletic director Andy Fiske. The partnership was announced in conjunction with the Causeway Classic football game between Sacramento State and rival UC Davis on Saturday, hosted at Hornet Stadium. The Sacramento State Hornets during the annual matchup vs. the Aggies will wear new helmets with tribal designs to acknowledge the history and culture of Wilton Rancheria, which is indigenous to the Sacramento Valley. There will also be on-field and stadium signage, along with a presentation recognizing Native American Heritage Day. “Our people die for the land that they come from,” Tarango said. “And so for us to be able to try to give a sense of pride to the students there and the student athletes, to say that ‘I chose this school for a reason.’ But it now has a little bit more meaning because now you’re incorporating the first inhabitants.” WHAT DOES PARTNERSHIP MEAN FOR SAC STATE’S NEW STADIUM AND PAC-12? Sacramento State’s athletic program is in a transition period and has ambitious goals. The school in September announced plans for a new, 25,000-seat football stadium as part of its plan to pitch itself to the Pac-12 Conference, which is looking for new members after the vast majority of its schools left over the past year, including USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon, Cal, Stanford, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State. Sacramento State is currently in the Big Sky Conference. The price of the Hornets’ proposed stadium has not been announced, nor has there been clarity on where the funding would come from, while school officials have been publicly optimistic about the stadium getting done. “We need to, one, remain competitive and win at this level,” Fiske said. “And then hopefully go to the next level. So this is always trying to build something special. First priority is getting the stadium built. We’ll see what happens from there.” Meanwhile, the terms of the agreement between Sacramento State, Wilton Rancheria and Sky River Casino have not been disclosed. But Wood acknowledged the partnership could help the school raise its athletic profile and help build a new stadium. “Absolutely,” Wood said. “If you think about it, most FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams have partnerships like this. So if you’re thinking about being at a different level, you have to act like it.” Sacramento State’s football team currently plays in the FCS, the lower subdivision of NCAA Division I football. Wood was asked if the money from the agreement has been allocated toward funding the stadium. “So they have absolutely contributed to Sacramento State athletics in a number of different ways, some of which have been private, some of which have been public in terms of the stadium,” Wood said. “Right now, the tribe has a stadium plan for the Railyards. We have a stadium plan for the campus, and who knows what the future holds.” The agreement marks the second significant investment into sports for Wilton Rancheria this month. The tribe took over as controlling stakeholders of Republic FC while the team remains open to elevating from the second-tier United Soccer League to Major League Soccer. Having a new, expandable stadium in the downtown Railyards could help clear that path after Sacramento was given an expansion bid in 2019 before the deal collapsed when investor Ron Burkle backed out in 2021 amid the pandemic. Tarango acknowledged the similarities of Republic FC’s situation and where Sacramento State finds itself — trying to jump to a more prestigious league while working to build a new stadium that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. “So for us, we’re very comfortable with where things are,” said Tarango, who attended Sacramento State. “Now, if there’s a possibility for them to get into the Pac-12, there’s a possibility for the Sac Republic to get into the MLS, we will definitely welcome that. But we’re very happy with where we’re at and providing a great team, a great partnership to the things that are already here. “I would say, the sky’s the limit on that. And I think anybody that’s out there, they know that’s probably something we’re thinking about, but it’s not the focal point.” Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango holds a Sacramento State football helmet with a tribal design as he stands between university president Luke Wood, right, and associate athletic director Andy Fiske during a news conference at Sky River Casino in Elk Grove on Friday. The tribe and the school announced a multi-year partnership at the event. Paul Kitagaki Jr. [email protected] WOOD CALLS SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS THE SCHOOL’S ‘FRONT DOOR’ The partnership also aligns with Sacramento State’s Native American College, which is slated to begin classes in the fall 2025 semester. It’s the first time a California State University is launching a stand-alone college of its kind — and Wood said Sacramento State this year reached its goal of having the largest population of Native students of any California public institution. It comes after the school launched its Black Honors College which began classes this fall. The partnership with Wilton Rancheria and Sky River Casino falls in line with Wood’s ambitious ethos since becoming the school’s president in July 2023. Among his goals: taking a leading role in creating Sacramento State’s “Combat U,” a club program for boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai and jiujitsu. Wood believes Sacramento State will soon have one of the best boxing and mixed martial arts programs in the country. And Wood believes the athletic program can bring attention to everything else the school will offer. “My mindset is it’s the front door to the university,” Wood said. “So if we truly want to be a large, public, national campus that has a regional commitment, that’s diverse, that’s growing, that’s excelling, then we’ve got to act differently. And that means that we got to lean into athletics.” Wood reiterated he didn’t want there to be a perception the school is leaning away from its academics. He said the school is working to hire new faculty members and continue to improve the Native American and Black Honors colleges. “But you also have to make sure that you’re being attentive to the front door,” Wood said. “This is where we get our donors. It’s through athletics. It’s where we get our alumni engaged. It’s through athletics. It’s where students who are looking to say, ‘where am I going to go to college?’ They make that decision oftentimes watching a Sacramento State game, whether it’s football, basketball, volleyball, track and field. It’s our front door and so we’re just making sure our front door is open.”

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article296011089.html#storylink=cpy
 
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