With the win, the Hornets improved to 3-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Sky Conference. The overall victories match the most for the team in the Steve Mooshagian era while the conference total is tied for the second most since Sacramento State joined the Big Sky in 1996. Northern Colorado dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the Big Sky.

The Bears struck first, methodically taking the opening drive 54 yards on 14 plays and using 6:59. However, the drive stalled and the team had to settle for a 42-yard field goal from David Dyches.

Sacramento State took its first lead late in the second quarter when quarterback Marcel Marquez connected with Jason Barnes on a long pass down the right sideline. Barnes caught the ball near the 10-yard line and sprinted into the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown.

Northern Colorado pulled closer in the final seconds of the half. The Bears took the Hornet kickoff and drove 47 yards on 13 plays before Dyches kicked a 34-yard field goal to make the score, 7-6, at halftime. Northern Colorado took its final lead of the game midway through the third quarter on a 34-yard field goal from Dykes with 6:42 left in the third quarter.

Following the field goal, Sacramento State was forced to punt and Calvin Robinson downed Mitch Lively’s 54-yard punt on the 1-yard line. The Hornet defense held, and the team took over at the UNC 32-yard line following a punt from Rafael Mendoza. Sacramento State began its ensuing drive with a 5-yard run from Dalen Mason before Marquez threw a lateral to Andre Taylor. Taylor initially looked to pass the ball but opted to run down the sideline — and was freed by a great block from Kris Daniels — for a 27-yard touchdown.

As a team, Northern Colorado dominated the pace of the game. The Bears ran 86 plays compared to just 50 by the Hornets and held the ball for 39:11. Those plays resulted in 308 total yards (3.6 yards per play) while Sacramento State had 274 (5.5 ypp).

Individually, Mulitalo was the story. The sophomore destroyed his previous career high of 14 tackles en route to recording the second-best effort in school history. Only All-American Ryland Wickman, who had 22 tackles against Eastern Washington in 1997, had tallied 20-plus tackles in a game for the Hornets. Fellow linebacker Tyson Butler added 11 stops and nine other players had at least five tackles. Junior Brent Webber was also able to add to his Big Sky lead with his sixth interception this season. Webber’s total is now tied for third-best in school history. The defensive effort marked the first time Sacramento State has held a team without a touchdown since limiting Weber State to four field goals on Oct. 16, 2004.

Offensively, Taylor was the team’s leading rusher (27 yards) and receiver (85 yards on three catches). The senior also added 101 return yards to finish with 213 all-purpose yards. Marquez finished the day 15-of-29 for 223 yards. He also had a touchdown , an interception and a fumble.

Northern Colorado’s Andre Wilson became the first player to rush for over 100 yards against Sacramento State this season. Wilson carried the ball 37 times for 141 yards. Dominic Breazeale took the majority of snaps at quarterback and was 20-of-35 for 150 yards. Eight of those completions went to running back Patrick Ealy who lead the team with 50 receiving yards.

Sacramento State will next travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to take on Idaho State on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 3:05 p.m. PST.