Things haven’t gone remotely like Sacramento State hoped they would thus far in the 2024 football season. The Hornets have underachieved at nearly every metric and in nearly every game.
Sacramento State entered the season as one of the favorites to advance to the FCS playoffs and possibly have a shot at winning the Big Sky Conference title. The Hornets 3-peated with the first three league titles in program history in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Last season, Sac did not win the league title but did advance to the FCS playoffs and win a playoff game.
That success seems like a distant memory after a somewhat promising start has been followed by losses in four of five conference games. Sac State comes to Bozeman this weekend to take on No. 2 Montana State after losing in overtime to Idaho State before getting blasted 58-38 to Portland State in Sacramento State last week.
The result leaves the Hornets with a 1-4 league mark and a 3-6 overall record, which all but guarantees that they won’t be making the 24-team field for the FCS playoffs. They’re coming off a resounding 58-38 loss to previously one-win Portland State. Prior to that they played back-to-back overtime games with Weber State and Idaho State beating WSU in double-overtime and losing to ISU.
“It’s been a challenge for sure,” Hornets’ head coach Andy Thompson said. “I think that’s the word I’d use. A lot of things have gone on. We started the season with four of five games on the road. I think there’s been some frustration to get over the hump. Proud of the guys for fighting every week. Been in it at halftime, but not getting over the hump in the second half.”
Thompson recognizes how sports can be streaky and sometimes you’re on the good side of that and other times it’s not so good.
“In 2022 we had five games come down to last drive,” Thompson said. “We were on the good end of that (Sac State went 8-0). This year we’ve had three-four game go that way and we’ve not been on good end.”
He also realizes the task at hand is a difficult one. The Hornets have to travel to Montana to take on undefeated and No. 2 MSU.
“MSU has had their way with everybody,” Thompson said. They’ve done a good job of getting out on people, really dominating opponents this year.
“(MSU is) really good football in all three phases. They’re at 7.6 yards per play. The defense has done a good job, and the special teams are number one in the country. Anytime you’re able to run the ball like they do and stop the run like that do, you’re going to do well. They’ve kept their playmakers healthy, so you see the same guys in there and they’ve been rolling.
“We need to tackle well, eliminate explosive plays. Their home games have featured explosive runs and explosive passes. You need to make sure when you have the ball you’re moving the sticks. You also need to not only handle the atmosphere but do well fundamentally. Start fast and finish strong in the fourth quarter.”
The Hornets have had to deal with their share of injuries and issues. Montana State head coach Brent Vigen said the film showed a defensive unit completely filled with new faces compared to the defense that MSU took on last year.
“Started in fall camp,” Thompson said. “Sometimes football is that way and I’m sure the (San Francisco) 49ers are saying the same thing. In college you feel like you have a ton of depth. Sometimes you do, but sometimes you have younger players playing with older players and you have to adjust your game plan to make sure they’re playing where you want.
“Every coach and every player that’s’ been around the game for awhile has had to deal with it.”
Thompson, like every coach the Bobcats face, is well aware of the effect MSU quarterback Tommy Mellott has on the game.
“(Mellott) takes care of the football,” Thompson said. “He only has one interception, and he’s accounted for 31 touchdowns. He’s very productive and knows where he wants to go with the football. If you give him one look, he’ll counter it with where he wants to go. He’s been extremely accurate and makes good decisions.”
The Hornets are continuing to break in redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Conklin. A year ago the Bobcats went up against dual-threat quarterback Kaiden Bennett, who got the Hornets off to a good start, but his pick-6 to MSU cornerback Jon Johnson got the Bobcats back into the game.
“He’s done a lot of good things,” Thompson said of Conklin. “He’s got a lot more reps. He’s been able to get the ball to a bunch of different playmakers. Each week he seems more comfortable with the different defenses he’s had to face. Gets a chance to improve from the week before.”
Conklin has a lot of weapons at his disposal, especially running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, who can stay on the field all game with his large skill set.
“Tau-Tolliver’s had a good year running and catching the ball,” Thompson said. “The biggest thing they’ve done is allowed us to establish the line of scrimmage, so we don’t have to be one-dimensional.”
The Hornets and Bobcats will kickoff at 1:00 at Bobcat Stadium tomorrow on MSU’s Military Appreciation Day.
