The win improved Sacramento State to 2-3 overall and gave the team a 2-1 mark in the Big Sky for the first time in school history. The Hornets also moved into a tie for second place in the Big Sky. Montana leads the league at 3-0 while Sacramento State and Montana State are tied at 2-1.

Sacramento State opened the game’s scoring with a 32-yard field on its opening drive. Weber State answered right back, scoring on a 1-yard run from Trevyn Smith on its second offensive play. The play was set up by a 63-yard run around the left side by Marky Filipe on the team’s first play from scrimmage.

The Hornets retook the lead with 3:25 left in the quarter on a 9-yard rush from quarterback Marcel Marquez. During the drive, Marquez found junior Phillip Perry for an 18-yard completion on 3rd-and-8. Marquez later rushed for 11 yards and 12 yards. The latter run was aided by a huge block from Perry which set up a 1st-and-goal situation.

Sacramento State added on to its lead in the second quarter when senior Rainbow Mauga scored his third touchdown in the last two games. The fullback plunged in from two yards out on fourth down to make the score 17-7 midway through the second quarter.

The Hornets scored their final points of the game on their opening drive of the second half. After Brent Webber intercepted Shawn Woods at the 33-yard line, Sacramento State appeared to strike paydirt on a long run from Gerwin Williams but the play was brought back on a holding call. Sophomore Torrell Baker picked up the first down on the ensuing play with a 20-yard rush up the middle and Marquez eventually found Williams on an 11-yard shovel pass to make the score 24-7.

Weber State began its comeback late in the third quarter. The Wildcats scored on a 32-yard pass from Woods to Marcus Mailei on a 4th-and-1 play and then pulled within three, 24-21, on its next drive. Bryant Eteuati started the possession with a 47-yard punt return which gave WSU the ball at the Sacramento State 25. The Hornets began the series with a 3-yard loss but a personal foul resulted in a 12-yard gain for Weber State. Woods then hooked up with Filipe on a slant route with 3:37 remaining for the touchdown.

The fourth quarter proved to be a battle of field position. The Hornet defense responded with a second interception from Webber and three sacks to put the game away. Webber now has four interceptions this year — all in the last three games. His career total of six is tied for sixth in school history while his season total of fourth is tied for eighth.

Individually, Williams and Marquez led a Hornet rushing attack which posted 158 yards. Williams gained 60 yards on 16 carries while Marquez had 58 yards on 18 attempts. Baker also finished with 35 yards on seven carries. Marquez was 8-of-18 through the air for 99 yards. Billy White paced the receivers with four catches for 89 yards — 30 of which came on a pass from fellow receiver Bobby Mooshagian.

Defensively, Cyrus Mulitalo led the team with 10 tackles to extend his streak to four consecutive games in double figures. Senior linebacker Tony DeMonaco added eight stops and sophomore defensive end Mike Brannon tallied seven, including two sacks. The defensive’s seven sacks ties the school Div. I-AA era record. The feat had also been accomplished in 2000 against Weber State and 2003 against Saint Mary’s.

Along with Brannon’s two sacks, DeMonaco, Tyson Butler, James Henderson, Adolph Stone and Blaine Jackson each had one. The team’s four interceptions also ties the Div. I-AA era record. Webber was joined by Brannon and Durrell Oliver.

Filipe rushed for 64 yards to lead the Wildcats. Woods was 15-of-31 of 178 yards and two touchdowns. Terry Larsen guided the receivers with six catches for 43 yards. Derek Johnson matched Mulitalo for the game high with 10 stops.

Sacramento State continues its homestand next week against Montana State. The game against the Bobcats will take place at 6:05 p.m. at Hornet Stadium.

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