By Larry Hicks | OBSERVER Correspondant
After two tough losses to start the football season, Sacramento State broke through with a 49-28 win over Mercyhurst University of Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 12 at Hornet Stadium.
The win was the first under new coach Brennan Marion, who saw his offense finally bust loose, amassing 349 rushing yards and scoring five touchdowns. The Hornets totaled 525 yards overall.
In their previous two losses the Hornets scored just 20 points combined.
Running back Damian Henderson II rushed for a career-high 98 yards and scored three touchdowns. Rodney Hammond Jr. added 81 while quarterback Cardell Williams (52 yards, TD). Running backs Sam Adams II (44 yards, TD) and Savion Red (36 yards) also contributed to the ground attack.
The team’s 349 rushing yards were Sac State’s most since gaining 385 at Eastern Washington in 2022 and were just 17 yards shy of cracking the school top five.
The Hornets defense, which has been solid early in the season, produced interceptions from Koa Akui and Oscar Moore on the Lakers’ final two possessions. Akui now has three interceptions in three games and also has forced and recovered a fumble on separate plays.
The Hornets host Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The game will be televised locally on KMAX31.
