The Sacramento State football team will take the field for the final time this season when the Hornets face Weber State on Saturday, Nov. 15. The game, which kicks off at 12:05 p.m. PST, will be played at Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah.

The contest can be heard locally on KTKZ 1380 AM with Jason Ross handling the play-by-play and Steve McElroy adding the color commentary. For those outside the greater Sacramento area, the game will also be available on the internet at www.hornetsports.com.

Sacramento State comes into the week with a 2-8 overall record and a 1-5 mark in the Big Sky. The Hornets suffered their sixth-straight loss of the season last week, losing to Montana, 26-0, in a rain-soaked game. In that game, Sacramento State was limited to nine first downs, 34 rushing yards and 135 yards of total offense. On a positive note, the Hornet defense did not allow Montana to score for the final 41 minutes of the game.

Weber State is looking to end Big Sky play with a winning record. The Wildcats, who were picked to finish last in the conference by both the coaches and media, are 6-4 overall and 3-3 in league games. WSU downed Portland State, 45-21, in Portland last Saturday. The team has now won two-straight Big Sky games.

With a Win...

• Sacramento State will have won at Weber State for the first time in school history.

• The Hornets will snap their six-game overall losing streak.

• Steve Mooshagian will earn his first road victory as head coach at Sacramento State.

• Weber State will have its two-game win streak snapped.

With a Loss...

• Sacramento State will have lost seven-straight games for the first time since losing 10 in a row (eight during the final games of 2001, two to start 2002).

• The Hornets will drop to 0-4 all-time at Weber State.

• Sacramento State will end the year winless on the road for the first time since 2001 and for just the third time since moving to Div. I-AA in 1993.

• Weber State will have a winning Big Sky record for the first time since going 5-3 in 2000.

• Meet the Coaches

With a wealth of experience at nearly every level of football, Steve Mooshagian enters his first year as head coach at Sacramento State. Mooshagian, who was hired to lead the Hornets on Jan. 15, 2003, is the eighth coach in school history.

A native Californian, Mooshagian has coached high school, junior college, college and professional teams. He most recently served as the wide receivers coach with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1999-2002. In 2002, he guided the only receiving corps in the NFL to have four players with at least 40 catches.

Prior to working with the Bengals, Mooshagian was the offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh for two years (1997-98). At Pitt, he also coached the receivers and his unit produced the top receiver in the Big East Conference both years.

Mooshagian came to Pittsburgh from Nevada where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 1996 season. That year, the Wolf Pack led the nation with an average of 527 yards of total offense and posted a 9-3 overall record while winning the Big West Conference title and the Las Vegas Bowl.

Before moving to Nevada, Mooshagian spent 11 years as a coach in Fresno, Calif. In 1995, he was the head coach at Fresno City College where he guided the Rams to a 5-5 overall record. Prior to that job, he had a 10-year stint as an assistant coach at Fresno State (1985-94).

He was also part of the Fresno State staff which won six conference titles while competing in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, the Big West Conference and the Western Athletic Conference.

Jerry Graybeal is in his sixth season at Weber State. A graduate of Eastern Washington, Graybeal has posted a 29-36 overall record with the Wildcats. Prior to taking the job at WSU, he was the defensive coordinator at Eastern Washington from 1988-97.

A Look at the Hornets

• Clean Sweep

Just when it appeared things could not get any worse regarding injuries on the Sacramento State offense, the injury bug claimed another victim. Prior to the start of the Montana game, All-American Fred Amey was pulled from the lineup due to an ankle sprain suffered at Montana State.

The injury left Sacramento State without the services of its top three skill players (Ryan Leadingham, Tyronne Gross and Amey). Two of those three players (Leadingham and Gross) will likely spend the final game of the season on the sideline while Amey is expected to return to the offense this week.

Gross likely had his season come to a close against Eastern Washington when he took a helmet to the knee late in the first quarter. The Stockton, Calif., native, who was leading the Big Sky in rushing heading into the game, has a strained ACL but will not undergo immediate surgery.

Leadingham is also out for the year after breaking multiple bones in his left arm against UC Davis.

The absence of Gross and Amey left Sacramento State without 297.2 all-purpose yards per game. Leadingham also averaged 177.0 yards of total offense per contest.

• Moving Up

Fred Amey has already captured all the career receiving records at Sacramento State. He has also led the Big Sky in yards per game and all-purpose yards for the past two seasons.

In the latest NCAA rankings, Amey is listed in the top 10 in Div. I-AA for all-purpose yards, receiving yards per game and total receiving yards. He is also in the top 20 for punt return average.

Below is where he ranks in each category:

All-Purpose Yards Plays Yards YPG

1. Luke McArdle, Georgetown 108 1,880 188.00

2. Fred Amey, Sacramento State 97 1,601 177.89

3. B.J. Sams, McNeese State 117 1,593 177.00

4. Wendall Williams, Rhode Island 125 1,744 174.40

3. Evan Harney, San Diego 306 1,734 173.40

Receiving Yards Per Game Rec Yards YPG

1. Efrem Hill, Samford 82 1,236 123.60

2. Rob Giancola, Valparaiso 45 1,223 122.30

3. Adam Hannula, San Diego 72 1,161 116.10

4. Javarus Dudley, Fordham 84 1,121 112.10

5. Dennis Calacione, Iona 49 1,072 107.20

9. Fred Amey, Sacramento State 51 901 100.11

Total Receiving Yards Rec TD Yards

1. Efrem Hill, Samford 82 14 1,236

2. Rob Giancola, Valparaiso 45 18 1,223

3. Adam Hannula, San Diego 72 13 1,161

4. Jason Jones, Drake 71 13 1,160

5. Jarvus Dudley, Fordham 84 10 1,121

16. Fred Amey, Sacramento State 51 5 901

Punt Return Average Ret Yds Avg.

1. Greg Williamson, Coastal Car. 9 182 20.44

2. Emery Beckles, Idaho State 17 292 17.18

3. Donnie Rose, Central Conn. St. 16 260 16.25

4. Leonard Goolsby, S.C. State 25 393 15.72

5. Fred Akon, Miss. Valley State 20 311 15.55

16. Fred Amey, Sacramento State 18 242 13.44

• What to Look For

Several Sacramento State players will try to work their way into the single-season record book against Weber State. Below is what each player needs to accomplish the feat.

Fred Amey

• Currently ranks sixth with 901 receiving yards.

• Needs seven yards to move into fifth.

• Needs 51 yards to move into fourth.

• Needs 89 yards to move into third.

• Needs two receiving TDs to tie for fifth.

• Needs two receptions for sixth.

• Needs three receptions for fifth.

• Needs four receptions for third.

• Needs 10 receptions for second.

• Needs 12 receptions to break his own record of 62 set last season.

Ryan Kroeker

• Needs 18 total tackles to tie for 10th.

• Needs two solo tackles to tie for ninth.

• Needs four solo tackles to tie for eighth.

• Needs seven solo tackles to tie for sixth.

• Needs eight solo tackles to tie for fifth.

Matt Logue

• Tied for eighth with 11 tackles-for-loss.

• Needs one TFL to tie for fifth.

• Needs two TFL to tie for fourth.

Ben Fox

• Tied for seventh with 8.0 sacks.

• Needs two sacks to tie for sixth.

Kevin Tennerson

• Tied for 10th with three interceptions.

• Needs one interception to tie for fifth.

• What Could’ve Been

Tyronne Gross is one player that is absent from the above list. Had Gross stayed on his average through eight games, he would have easily been ranked in three single-season rushing lists. Including the one quarter he played against Eastern Washington, Gross was averaging 101.5 yards per game. At that pace, he would have amassed 1,117 yards on 230 carries during the year. He also would have scored 11 rushing touchdowns.

His yardage total would have been the eighth-best in school history while his 230 carries would have ranked sixth. Lastly, Gross’ 11 touchdowns would have tied for sixth.

Gross’ two-year actual total of 1,232 currently ranks ninth in school history. That total is even more impressive considering he has played in just 17 games.

• Doing It All

Kenan Smith enjoyed a variety of views on the field against Montana. The senior started the game at wide receiver and then moved to quarterback at the beginning of the second half. As a QB, Smith was 5-of-11 for 46 yards and an interception.

Injuries to punter Todd Marshall and Amey also moved Smith into two other roles. He filled in for Marshall as team’s holder on extra points and field goal attempts, and was the primary kick and punt returner in Amey’s absence. The San Jose, Calif., native also played on the punt coverage team where he downed a kick in the fourth quarter.

• More Lineup Changes

Sacramento State will also be without the services of reserve offensive lineman Heath Macklin and kicker Bret LeVier this weekend at Weber State. Macklin broke his left leg in practice on Tuesday while LeVier will miss the game for personal reasons. LeVier’s absence was approved before he rejoined the team four weeks ago.

• Cavka to Play With Nation’s Best

Offensive lineman Marko Cavka accepted an invitation to play in the 79th-Annual East West Shrine Game on Oct. 30. The game, which pits the best collegiate seniors in the country against each other, will be played on Jan. 10, 2004, at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco.

Cavka becomes the third Hornet in school history to be invited to the game. He joins running backs Troy Mills and Charles Roberts who played in 1991 and 2000, respectively.

The 6-8, 290-pound native of Cypress, Calif., has started the past 40 games on the offensive line for Sacramento State. Cavka earned his first start against Idaho State in the fourth game of the 2000 season and has yet to leave the lineup. He was named honorable mention all-Big Sky Conference last season after starting all 12 games at left tackle. That season, he allowed just two sacks and recorded 14 “pancake” blocks.

This year’s East West Shrine Game will feature head coaches Nick Saban and Bob Stoops. Saban, the head coach of Louisiana State, will guide the East team while Stoops, Oklahoma’s head coach, will lead the West squad. Historically, the game has been a showcase for future NFL players. Last season, 86 players who appeared in the game were drafted into the NFL or signed as a free agent. All 32 franchises signed at least one player who played in the contest.

• Additional Amey

Despite being held to a season-low 38 receiving yards at Montana State and not playing against Montana, Amey remained in the Big Sky lead with five 100-yard receiving games this year. The junior has a one-game lead over Johnny Marshall and Clarence Moore of Northern Arizona.

Amey first crossed the century mark this season at Cal Poly where he had 112 yards. He followed that effort with eight catches for a career-high 180 yards against Idaho State. He later added 110 yards on eight grabs against UC Davis and 164 yards against Northern Arizona.

One week after having his streak of consecutive 100-yard games snapped at four, Fred Amey tallied 133 receiving yards against Eastern Washington. His total of five 100-yard games is the most in Sacramento State’s Div. I-AA era and the most in the Big Sky since Terry Charles had five in 2001.

The Big Sky mark for a single season is held by NAU’s Hendricks Johnson with eight in 1990.

His five 100-yard games this season is one more than his 2002 total (11 games). He also had two games over the century mark as a freshman to give him 11 career 100-yard games. Lamont Webb is second in school history with six 100-yard games.

Amey was able to continue another streak against MSU. His first catch of the contest extended his streak to 31-straight games with one reception. That mark includes every game in which he has appeared in a Hornet uniform.

• Tough Break

One week after being named national player of the week by three different sources, quarterback Ryan Leadingham had his season come to a close on the first drive of the second half against UC Davis.

Leadingham, who rushed for a two-yard gain on the previous play, rolled out to his left and threw an incomplete pass intended from Kenan Smith. On the play, he became tangled up with a UC Davis lineman and landed awkwardly on his left wrist. Leadingham was immediately taken to the hospital for x-rays which revealed a fracture and required immediate surgery.

At the start of the year, Leadingham appeared to be a sure lock to become the 12th Div. I-AA player to pass for 10,000 career yards. That number now appears unlikely as he has 6,414 yards with just one year remaining. He ended this year with 877 yards on 64-of-111. He also threw seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

Below is where he ranks in all the career passing records at Sacramento State:

Yards

1. Ryan Leadingham (2001-pres.) 6,414

2. Mike Sullivan (1981-1983) 5,085

Attempts

1. Ryan Leadingham (2001-pres.) 876

2. Tony Corbin (1995-96) 701

Completions

1. Ryan Leadingham (2001-pres.) 498

2. Mike Sullivan (1981-83) 365

Touchdowns

1. Ryan Leadingham (2001-pres.) 39

2. Tony Corbin (1995-96) 34

Mike Sullivan (1981-83) 34

A Look at the Wildcats

• The Weber State offense is guided by running back Nick Chournos. The junior currently leads the Big Sky and is ranked sixth in I-AA with 135.6 yards per game. Last week in a 45-21 win at Portland State, Chournos rushed for 234 yards on 41 carries.

• Kyle Bauer and Tate Bennett have each spent time at quarterback for Weber State. Bauer is 83-of-168 for 1,351 yards while Bennett is 31-of-60 for 393 yards. Bauer leads the team with 10 touchdown passes but has also thrown six interceptions.

• Justin DeFour is the team’s top receiver with 31 catches for 626 yards and eight touchdowns.

• Defensively, All-America candidate Matt McFadden has recorded a team-leading 119 total tackles. McFadden has 46 solo tackles and 73 assists. He also has 3.5 tackles-for-loss and an interception.

Brady Fosmark has 9.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles-for-loss.

Dewey Crayton leads the team with three interceptions.

• The Series

Weber State holds a 5-2 lead in the all-time series. However, three of the last four games have been decided in the final seconds. Last year, Kenan Smith threw a 32-yard pass to Michael Johnson to cap a Sacramento State comeback. The year before, Gary Austin was stopped inside the 1-yard line to give WSU a seven-point win.

• Who’s Up Next

Saturday’s game marks the final contest of the year for Sacramento State.

Big Sky Notes

• Weber State’s Nick Chournos was Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Chournos had 234 yards on 41 carries.

Montana’s Dave DeCoite earned the defensive award with five total tackles and a 53-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Hornets.

Northern Arizona’s Jeremy Thornburg returned an onside kick 42 yards for a score to earn the special teams award.

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