The Mustangs struck first when Ramses Barden caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from Matt Brennan on Cal Poly’s first offensive play of the game. On the play, Barden ran an up-and-out route to gain separation from the Sacramento State coverage.

The score remained 7-0 until Juan Gamboa converted a 34-yard field goal with 7:05 left in the second quarter. The field goal capped a drive in which the Hornets appeared to tie the game on a touchdown run from Gerwin Williams. However, a holding call brought the play back forcing the Hornets to settle for three. The points scored by Sacramento State were the first allowed by Cal Poly in its last 145 minutes which dates back to last season.

The Mustangs stretched their lead to 17-10 with a 26-yard field goal from Nick Coromelas with 10:33 to play in the third quarter. The team tacked on another touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter on a 17-yard connection from Brennan to Barden.

Following a Sacramento State punt, the pair hooked up on another long pass with Barden grabbing a 50-yard reception at the 1-yard line. Brennan dropped the ensuing snap and the ball was recovered by Tyson Butler who dashed 79 yards to the Mustang 17-yard line. Kris Daniels pulled the Hornets within seven points on a 10-yard run four plays later to make the score 17-10 with 9:07 left.

Both teams had two drives in the remaining time but neither made a serious threat to score. Sacramento State’s final possession began with 3:03 left and started with an 11-yard run from Marcel Marquez. Gerwin Willaims picked up a first down on 4th-and-2 to take the ball inside Cal Poly territory. However, consecutive penalties (holding and a false start) thwarted the drive.

Overall, Sacramento State amassed 106 rushing yards led by 54 from Daniels and 38 from Marquez. The team was limited to 40 passing yards as starter Crosby Wehr was 0-for-2 with an interception on the first two series before giving way to Marquez (6-for-17 with an interception). Billy White was the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 32 yards.

Barden finished the game with nine receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Brennan was 14-of-25 for 258 yards and two scores without an interception. The Mustang running game was paced by Jeremy Konaris with 57 yards on 12 attempts. James Noble, who entered the contest with back-to-back 100-yard games this year, was limited to 19 yards and six caries before injuring his ankle.

Defensively, sophomore Cyrus Mulitalo had a career-high 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Butler added nine stops with two fumble recoveries.

Buck Buchanan Award nominee Kyle Shotwell had a game-high 14 tackles, with four for loss to lead Cal Poly.

Sacramento State opens Big Sky Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Montana. The game against the Grizzlies is scheduled to begin at 12:05 p,m. PDT.

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