INCLEMENT WEATHER DOESN’T STOP FOOTBALL IN 14-0 BLANKING OF NORTHERN COLORADO

10/8/2011

Defensive end Zack Nash had five tackles - two of which went for lost yardage - and his 23rd career sack

GREELEY, Colo. — In a game that will likely never be replicated, Sacramento State defeated Northern Colorado, 14-0, in miserable conditions on a Saturday afternoon Big Sky Conference football game at Nottingham Field.

The Hornets (3-3 overall, 2-2 in Big Sky games) did not attempt a pass in the contest, instead rushing for 177 yards en route to their sixth win over the Bears in as many tries. Rain fell steadily throughout the day and temperatures were in the 40s with wind chill dipping into the mid-30s and northwest winds ripping above 20 miles per hour.

Sacramento State becomes the first team in NCAA Div. I-AA/FCS history to not attempt a pass in a game. Previously, six teams had one pass attempt, most recently in 1998. There have been several teams that have not completed a pass.

Sacramento State scored its first touchdown early in the second quarter when quarterback Jeff Fleming went around the right side of the line for a 15-yard touchdown.

That score held until the final play of the third quarter when David Coleman scooped up a fumble which was forced by Osagie Odiase, and returned the ball four yards for a score. The fumble recovery was the sixth of Coleman’s career and the TD was his second against the Bears in the last two years.

The 14-point lead was plenty for the Hornet defense which held Northern Colorado to just 72 yards of total offense. The shutout was the first for Sacramento State since defeating San Francisco State, 30-0, on Sept. 14, 1994. As a team, the defense combined to force 13.0 tackles-for-loss and held the Bears to 2-of-17 on third down and 1-of-8 on fourth down.

Individually, Todd Davis and Jeff Badger each tallied 10 tackles. Davis led the team with 2.5 tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles. Zack Nash added five tackles, two TFL’s and a sack.

Eleven different Hornets were credited for at least a half tackle-for-loss in the game, comprised of Davis, Nash, John Bloomfield (1.5), Matt Agaiava (1.0), Evander Wilkins (1.0), Kyle Monson (1.0), Coleman (1.0), Ben Cowger (1.0), Nathan Castro (1.0), Ryan McMahon (0.5) and Matt Lawrence (0.5).

Offensively, running back Bryan Hilliard recorded his 17th career game with 100 yards rushing as he rumbled for 106 yards on 31 carries. Fleming gained 59 yards on 13 carries and Jake Croxdale added 12 yards on four carries.

Sacramento State will have a bye next weekend before hosting Eastern Washington for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.