Sac State steamrolls Mississippi Valley 52-0 to earn first win as FBS program

Head coach Alonzo Carter couldn’t have scripted a better start to Sacramento State’s home opener. 

After a quick Hornet drive, Mississippi Valley State prepared to punt after failing to convert on their opening possession. For the second game in a row, true freshman safety Chakai Scott broke through the punt protection and secured a block, handing the Hornets a short field. 

Three plays later, junior quarterback Jackson Sharman found senior wideout Matthew Coleman for the first of his three touchdowns on the night. 

“I know Coleman’s going to be where I need him to be,” Sharman said. “He’s very reliable. I know he's gonna be in the right spot. He's gonna make a good play.”

Coleman posted a career night, turning his six receptions into 141 yards and three touchdowns. 

The veteran receiver was Sharman’s favorite target as he made his first career college start in relief of junior quarterback Carson Conklin, who sustained a broken wrist against Eastern Michigan. Sharman, a transfer from Idaho State, threw for 247 yards and a quartet of touchdowns. 

“We knew coming into fall camp that we had two working quarterbacks,” Carter said. “Carson was injured, Jackson was there for him. So we're very fortunate to have him be able to come in and know the system.”

Like against Eastern Michigan, the Hornets struggled to establish the run early, but unlike the prior game, were able to consistently move the sticks in the air. Sharman and the Hornets torched an overmatched Delta Devils secondary for an average air gain of 13.1 yards, with five Sac State receivers reaching double-digit yards.

After the first Coleman touchdown, the Hornets wouldn’t score again until late in the first quarter, when the floodgates truly opened. Sharman found Coleman for a 46-yard gain, setting up an easy touchdown for senior running back Jamar Curtis.

Mississippi Valley responded with a three-and-out, then allowed Sharman to lead a meticulous field goal drive downfield, extending the lead to 17-0. 

With the Delta Devils reeling, Carter went for the kill, dialing up a successful onside kick. 

“[Special teams coordinator Milo Austin] watched it on film all week,” Carter said. “It was clear when you watched that this was a tendency. They take off kicks. So, hats off to the coaching staff.”

Carter’s gamble paid off immediately. Sharman found Coleman once again, capping off a six-play drive with a 19-yard touchdown. 

With the second quarter only just beginning, the Hornets found themselves up 24-0. 

At the end of that quarter, the Hornets would score again, this time thanks to a 24-yard catch from senior wideout Jace Wilson. At 31-0, a brutal half for Mississippi Valley ended. 

While Sharman and the Hornet offense piled up points, Sac State’s defense ensured Mississippi Valley never had a chance to keep pace.

The Delta Devils largely avoided turnovers, but found little success through the air, particularly on third down. Mississippi Valley converted just one third-down attempt as the Hornet secondary rebounded from a rough showing against Eastern Michigan. Senior defensive back Boogsie Silvera led Sac State in tackles for the second straight game.

Much of Mississippi Valley’s limited success came on the ground, where seven rushers combined for 104 yards, but even those gains rarely translated into sustained drives.

With the outcome all but decided, Sac State spent much of the second half emptying its bench and getting valuable game reps throughout the roster.

Sharman exited the game early in the third quarter, as junior Brian Salazar and redshirt freshman Jaylen Patterson took over under center and the Hornets began to chew the clock. 

Three players who didn’t record a carry against Eastern Michigan ended up leading the Hornets in rushing. Junior running back Daniel Swinney totaled 58 yards and a touchdown, sophomore Cincere Rhaney added 35 yards and Patterson rushed for 50.

Patterson provided the highlight of the second half, breaking free for a 43-yard touchdown run to extend Sac State’s lead to 45-0.

The Hornets would only add as Mississippi Valley remained scoreless, winning 52-0. 

For Carter, the win marked his first as Sac State’s head coach and the program’s first since making the jump to the FBS.

“It's truly a full circle moment for me,” Carter said. “To hear that tonight was the largest home opener crowd, I couldn't ask for more. This is very serious to me. This matters to me. This is my life, my home, and I'm not here for pats on the back. I'm here to win.” 

The Hornets travel down the I-5 for their next game, a battle against Fresno State. 

“We're gonna hopefully take this momentum from tonight into the rest of the season,” Sharman said. “It's only going to get hard from here. We’ve got a lot to improve on, a lot to clean up, but this is going to be a good season.”