SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Throughout the summer, the Sacramento State athletics department will take a look back and honor the student-athletes who have made the biggest impact on their sport over the last 10 years.

To be eligible for the all-decade team, a student-athlete must have played at least one year in their sport between the 2000-01 and 2009-10 academic years, and must have completed their eligibility as a Hornet, or be an active member of the team.

Today marks the announcement of the football all-decade team. The squad consists of 11 players on both offense and defense as well as a kicker and punter.

Between 2000-09, Sacramento State received 13 All-America honors in football and 114 all-Big Sky Conference recognitions.

QB - Ricky Ray (1999-2000)

In two years, Ricky Ray led the Hornets to their best single-season records in the school’s Div. I-era. He ended his collegiate career in 2000 with one of the best quarterback performances in school history, regardless of the level of play. Ray set the Sacramento State record by completing 62.2 percent of his passes (168-270) threw for 13 touchdowns and rushed for another 10. His efforts lifted the team to a 7-4 record. Ray also holds the school record for career completion percentage (61.9) and career yards per pass (8.1). He is also fifth in career yards (4,622), completions (347) and touchdowns (33). He is currently the starting quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos where he holds the majority of the franchise’s passing records.

 

Another player who made his mark at the start of the decade, Charles Roberts is the most decorated player in Sacramento State’s Div. I era. The diminutive back (5-foot-6) added to his impressive resume as a senior, setting the NCAA Div. I-AA career record for yards (6,553) and carries (1,124). He finished the 2000 season with 1,624 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns to earn first team all-Big Sky honors for the third consecutive season.
 

Roberts was also an All-American in 1998 and 1999 following rushing campaigns of 2,260 and 2,082 yards, respectively. During that stretch, he also set NCAA marks for most yards in a game (409) and most career 200-yard performances (13). Following his collegiate career, he played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League where he became just the fifth player in CFL history to surpass 10,000 career yards.

 

The only active player on the offense, Hilliard has been a work horse for the Hornets during his two seasons on the field. As a freshman, he tallied 826 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. The following year, he rushed for 1,082 and 12 scores to become the first Hornet since Roberts to rush for over 1,000 yards. The local product missed all of 2009 due to shoulder surgeries but returns to the team for the upcoming season. Hilliard is currently ranked sixth in school history in career yards and is fifth in career rushing touchdowns.

 

Amey holds nearly every career receiving record in school history. From 2001-04, Amey caught 248 passes for 4,049 yards and 27 touchdowns. His career yardage total is more than double any other player in school history. Amey also set the then-single season receptions record with 76 as a senior and the single-game mark with 15. A model of consistency, Amey had at least 885 and five touchdowns in each of his four seasons. He was also one of the best punt returners in school history, with two touchdowns. He was a three-time first team all-Big Sky selection and went on to play with the San Francisco 49ers as well as the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. His pro career began in memorable fashion as he returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown on his first NFL play.

 

The only player to post Amey-like numbers in the decade was Washington. After catching 29 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, Washington had one of the most productive seasons as a receiver in school history. The senior set the school record with 83 receptions and 1,279 yards to earn first team all-Big Sky honors and third team All-America recognition. Washington also had 12 touchdowns during the year to rank second in school history. He had at least 100 receiving yards in six games and caught a touchdown in nine of the 11 contests. Three of those scores came in the team’s 29-19 win over UC Davis.

 

The fact that Lamont Webb was able to post the offensive numbers he had becomes more impressive when you consider who he was sharing the field with. During his career, Webb teamed with All-American Charles Roberts and also had Scott Towne, Chris Kelly, Tyrone Taylor, Michael Johnson and Carlos Smith catching passes. Despite all of those weapons, Webb left Sacramento State with 119 career receptions for 1,834 yards and 16 touchdowns. His career receptions were the most in school history until being eclipsed by Amey. His yardage total tied Mike Carter’s then-school record (also broken by Amey) and he still ranks third in receiving TDs.

 

A four-year starter, Cavka was a two-time all-Big Sky selection at right tackle. The 6-foot-8 Orange County native came to the Hornets with a volleyball background and was originally slated to redshirt in 2000. Cavka instead earned a spot in the starting lineup and never relinquished his position for the next four years. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft and also played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL.

 

The most versatile lineman of the decade, Nicolodi started at guard, tackle and center during his career. As a freshman, the Modesto, Calif., native earned all-Big Sky honors at guard. He moved to center in 2003 and 2004 and was also recognized by the conference’s coaches. For his senior season, Nicolodi shifted to tackle where he was all-Big Sky for the fourth consecutive season — making him the only Hornet offensive lineman to pull of the feat.

 

A dominant guard, Frank was a four-year starter and three-time all-Big Sky selection. He began his career in 2000, starting for a team which posted a 7-4 overall record and set numerous offensive records. He held that spot each season and likely would have earned all-conference honors each season if it wasn’t for a broken leg which sidelined him for a portion of his junior year. Following his senior season, Frank signed a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans.

 

At 6-foot, 265 pounds, Matt Lemley was not going to frighten many on the defensive line. However, what he lacked in size, Lemley made up for in effort, earning three all-Big Sky awards in his career at guard. After spending one season at junior college, Lemley’s arrival coincided with that of Marshall Sperbeck and he quickly earned his way into the starting lineup. During his career, he started 31 games and helped pave the way for the first 1,000-yard rusher in seven years.

 

Wagner began his career in the late 1990s as part of an offensive line which featured four players who later donned an NFL uniform. During his tenure, which included 44 starts, the Hornets rushed for over 200 yards per game in three of the four years and averaged at least 362 yards of total offense each season. Wagner earned first team all-Big Sky honors as a junior in 2000, making him the last Hornet lineman to do so. He was also a second team choice in 1999. Wagner went on to play for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams in the NFL.

 

A two-time first team all-Big Sky honoree and four-time all-Big Sky selection, Brannon is the Hornets’ all-time leader in tackles-for-loss with 52.5 and sacks (27.5). The local product from Cordova High School began his career at defensive end before moving to linebacker prior to his junior season. That year, Brannon set career bests for total tackles (81), tackles-for-loss (18.0) and sacks (9.5) to earn All-America honors. As a senior, he continued to be one of the most disruptive players in the Big Sky with 12.5 TFLs, including 9.0 sacks.

 

A two-year starter, Moore anchored the Hornet pass rush from the end during his tenure. As a senior, he recorded 33 total tackles but had seven of those end behind the line of scrimmage. Moore finished his career with 75 total tackles and 11.5 for loss. He also had seven sacks and tied the school record with five fumble recoveries — none bigger than the one on UC Davis’ final play of the 2009 Causeway Classic which sealed the Hornets’ second consecutive win.

 

Clark became the latest Hornet to earn All-America honors as he was recognized as a second team selection by The Sports Network following the 2009 season. Clark terrorized the backfield last season, recording 44 total tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, and 10 sacks. He was also credited with a pass breakup, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. A three-year starter, Clark heads into his senior season tied for fifth in school history with 16.0 career sacks and is sixth with 25.5 career tackles-for-loss. His career TFLs are the most by a defensive linemen in school history.

 

Statistically, there were numerous Hornet defensive tackles that produced better numbers than Dallas Mauga. However, few were more dominant than Mauga. During his two years with the team, the San Diego native commanded a double team on nearly every play which cleared the way for linebackers like Cyrus Mulitalo to burst through for the stop. For his efforts, he was named to the Big Sky second team in 2006 and was a first team selection in 2007. As a senior, Mauga had 43 total tackles, including eight for loss.

 

The only thing stopping Daisley’s senior season from being the best in school history by a linebacker was his junior year. As a senior in 2000, Daisley finished with 100 tackles and an amazing 19.0 tackles-for-loss. However, the 19 TFLs rank second in school single-season history, trailing his mark of 25.0 which came in 1999. Following his senior season, he was named second team All-America by the Associated Press. His career total of 44.0 tackles-for-loss ranks third in school history and he was the first Hornet defensive player to twice be named first team all-Big Sky Conference.

 

The only Sacramento State player to be named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Logue ranks among the best in numerous defensive categories in Hornet history. The middle linebacker is tied for first in career fumble recoveries (5), second in unassisted career stops (181), second in career TFLs (45.5), and fourth in career tackles (306). Logue was a two-time all-Big Sky selection, including first team honors as a senior. That year, he led the Big Sky with 105 tackles (14.5 per game). Logue also had the ability to get into the backfield as three of his single-season efforts ranked among the top eight in school history.

 

The only Hornet to be named All-America in three different seasons, Mulitalo left Sacramento State in 2008 ranked second in school history with 336 career tackles. As a sophomore, he led the Big Sky with 10.9 tackles per game (120 total) and was named honorable mention All-America and all-West Region. Mulitalo added 98 tackles in 2007 and 96 more in 2008. Along with being honored by The Sports Network following both of those years, he was also a first team all-Big Sky selection. After recording 22 tackles as a freshman playing behind Logue, Mulitalo averaged 104.3 tackles per year over his final three seasons.

 

Regarded as the top cover corner for the Hornets in the last 10 years, Gabourel ranks seventh in school history with 237 career tackles. A two-time all-Big Sky selection, he ended his career with 25 pass breakups and six interceptions. As a junior in 2000, Gabourel recorded a career-best 66 tackles and also hauled in a team-leading four interceptions.

 

Payne began his four-year Hornet career as a safety but found his home at cornerback where he earned national recognition as a senior. That season, he earned first team all-Big Sky accolades after recording 63 tackles, including 6.0 tackles-for-loss. Payne also led the team with five interceptions, three of which came at Idaho State where he earned national defensive player of the week from The Sports Network. Overall, Payne ranks ninth in school history with 212 career tackles and is tied for 10th with seven interceptions.

 

A four-year starter at safety, Webber first earned national recognition in 2004 when he was named Freshman All-America. He ended his career with 249 career tackles which places him sixth in school history. Webber also ranks among the career leaders at Sacramento State in interceptions (T8th, 9). As a junior, he led Div. I-AA with 0.6 interceptions per game. His total of six over 10 games ties him for the fifth most in school history. Webber is also one of only five Hornets to be named all-Big Sky four times.

 

A four-year starter, Shelton ranks third in school history with 326 career tackles. In 2004, he was named second team all-Big Sky and was a Freshman All-American after recording 83 tackles. He matched that number as a sophomore and added 72 during his junior season. Shelton ended his career with a career high 88 stops. He and Ryland Wickman are the only players in school history to tally at least 70 tackles in each season of a four-year career.

 

The Hornets’ scoring leader in the last decade, Gamboa tallied 203 points during her career. His point total places him fifth all-time in Hornet history and he also ranks second with 36 career field goals and 95 extra points. A talented athlete, Gamboa was routinely one of the fastest players on the team and also earned All-America honors from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a senior. Gamboa was actually the opening day kicker for five Sacramento State seasons. As a true freshman in 2004, he kicked at Nevada but suffered an injury and was granted a redshirt season.

 

In his four seasons, Mitch Lively saw too much action if you were a Hornet fan. Lively recorded 205 career punts for a school-record 3,202 yards during his time. His career average of 40.83 yards per punt and single season average of 43.45 in 2006 both rank second in school history. Lively also starred on the baseball diamond where he was a relief pitcher for the Hornets. Following his senior season, Lively was drafted by the Colorado Rockies. He is currently a member of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Wednesday, June 30 - Baseball
Friday, July 2 - Men's Basketball
Monday, July 5 - Women’s Basketball
Wednesday, July 7 - Football
Friday, July 9 - Men’s Golf
Monday, July 12 - Women’s Golf
Wednesday, July 14 - Gymnastics
Friday, July 16 - Rowing
Monday, July 19 - Men’s Soccer
Wednesday, July 21 - Women’s Soccer
Friday, July 23 - Softball
Monday, July 26 - Men’s Tennis
Wednesday, July 28 - Women’s Tennis
Friday, July 30 - Men’s Track and Field/Cross County
Monday, Aug. 2 - Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Wednesday, Aug. 4 - Volleyball