FOOTBALL USES BIG PLAYS TO DEFEAT IDAHO STATE, 38-17, IN HOMECOMING GAME

10/10/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Terrance Dailey rushed for a career high 178 yards and a touchdown and Durrell Oliver and Marquese Smith each returned an interception for a touchdown to help Sacramento State to a 38-17 Homecoming game victory over Idaho State on Saturday.

The victory improved the Hornets to 2-3 on the season overall and 2-1 in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in league action.

On paper, Idaho State dominated play, holding possession for 37:25 minutes of the game to the Hornets 22:35. The Bengals also doubled Sacramento State's first downs (22-11) and outgained the Hornets (368-335). However, Sacramento State capitalized on four ISU turnovers and had three offensive plays of 40 yards or more.

"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," Sacramento State head coach Marshall Sperbeck said. "There are obviously some things we need to continue to work on during this next week, but overall I'm pleased with the victory."

The Hornets wasted little time getting on the board, scoring on a 42-yard run from Dailey 2:22 into the game. The Bengals then tied the contest on their opening possession when Russel Hill found Andrew Benavides for a 4-yard strike. Jarrett Huk made a 35-yard field goal to give ISU a 10-7 lead midway through the quarter.

From that point, Sacramento State scored the next 31 points of the game. Chris Diniz knotted the score at 10-10 with a 30-yard field goal to remain perfect on the season (6-of-6). A 69-yard run by Dailey set up a 5-yard pass from Jason Smith to Brandyn Reed in the second quarter before the defensive outburt began.

On the ensuing drive, Oliver intercepted Hill on the right sideline and took it into the end zone for his first career score to make the score, 24-10. After the kickoff, Idaho State used 13 plays to drive the Hornet 22-yard line. From there, Marquese Smith picked off Hill and went up the left sideline for an 87-yard return with 12 seconds left in the half.

Sacramento State capped its scoring with a 54-yard pass from Jason Smith to Dylan Lane with 6:48 to play in the third quarter. The touchdown was the third for Lane in the last two weeks and the play marked the longest pass reception on the year by the Hornets.

Idaho State stopped its scoring drought when Skylar Morgan scored on a 1-yard run with 2:58 showing in the third. Morgan's touchdown was the first rushing score for the Bengals this season in six games.

Dailey became the latest Hornet to post big numbers against the Bengal defense. Over the last three meetings, Sacramento State has rushed for 828 yards, including 227 on Saturday. Dailey's total of 178 marked his third 100-yard game of the season and was the best outing by a Hornet since Bryan Hilliard tallied 271 at Idaho State last season.

Smith finished 9-for-19 for just 108 yards but did have two touchdowns without an interception. Lane led the team with three receptions for 65 yards.

Defensively, Zach Schrader and David Coleman each tallied 13 total tackles to tie for the team lead. Coleman's numbers easily bettered his previous high of four stops in a game. Avery White, who started in place of an ill Peter Buck, added two tackles-for-loss matching Christian Clark for the team lead. Clark also had a sack, giving him four in the last two games. Freshman Reese Heaslett provided the third interception of the day.

Clint Knickrehm rushed for 77 yards on 19 carries to lead the Bengals. Hill completed 30-of-52 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

Sacramento State will next play at Weber State on Sat., Oct. 17. The Wildcats won at Eastern Washington, 31-13, to join a handful of teams with one loss on the year in the Big Sky. Montana (2-0) is the lone unbeaten team in the league following Saturday's action followed by EWU and WSU at 3-1 and Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Montana State at 2-1.