The Hornets open the Marshall Sperbeck in Bulldog Stadium Saturday, as the new coach begins his Division I coaching career against Fresno State. Sperbeck was the head coach of Foothill Junior College the last 15 years, and will be his own offensive coordinator. The Hornets are coming off a 4-7 season and finished fifth in the Big Sky Conference. Sacramento State returns 13 starters.
Sac State averaged 243.6 yards per game last season in total offense, which was last in the Big Sky. The Hornets were second to last scoring with 15.3 points, as well. The offense returns only three starters and is learning a new system. Sperbeck will look to increase production with his wide-open, spread offense. Last season, his Foothill squad led the state in total offense (478.8) and ranked second in scoring (42.8).
Sperbeck will have fewer worries about the opposite side of the ball. The Hornets strength this season, especially early on, will be defense. Last season, they gave up 26.2 points per game and 355 yard per game. Sac State returns 10 starters from that unit, including three second team All-Big Sky performers.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Sac State must replace Big Sky honorable mention QB Marcel Marquez. Five quarterbacks battled in fall to replace him. Only fifth-year senior Casey Wehr (6-3, 200) has started a game in his career for the Hornets. He appeared in just four games last season completing 4-9 passes for 30 yards. Redshirt freshman Jason Smith (6-1, 190) won the starting job over true freshman Duncan White (6-4, 200). Both are expected to play against the Bulldogs.
The Hornets rushed for only 703 yards last season. They return just two of their top 11 rushers. The top returning leading rusher, Torrell Baker (5-9, 160), moved to receiver in spring. JUCOs Travon Jones (5-9, 185) and Tyreece Jacks (5-10, 190) are expected to lead the group this season.
Sac State loses its top four receivers from 2006. However, Baker had 16 receptions last season and 2005 starter Ryan Coogler (5-10, 195) returns this season after missing 10 games last year with a hand injury. He recorded 45 receptions for 441 yards in 2005. Phillip Perry (6-2, 190) has started 13 games in his career and had nine receptions for 119 yards last season.
The offensive line returns two starters, but just three lettermen. LT Jordan Hunter (6-6, 280) was honorable mention All-Big Sky despite missing half the season with an injury. C Kyle Leitzke (6-1, 290) started eight games last season. G Lindsey Kellogg (6-1, 270) missed all of last season but has four career starts.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
The Big Sky is an offense friendly conference, but Sac State arguably has the best defense among the nine schools. Seven players earned All-Big Sky honors last season with SS Brent Weber (6-0, 200) and MLB Cyrus Mulitalo (6-1, 245) named honorable mention All-America.
The Hornets return three starters on the defensive line. DT Dallas Mauga (6-1, 290) recorded 40 tackles last season, including nine tackles for loss. He was named second team All-Big Sky last season. DE James Henderson (6-2, 245) had four sacks last season and earned honorable mention all-conference honors. Sac State also returns their other starting DE. However, Mike Brannon (6-2, 235) has moved to strong-side linebacker this season. He was also named honorable mention All-Big Sky.
Mulitalo led the team in tackles last season with 120 including 11.5 tackles for loss. Brannon is expected to shore up the strong-side along with third team JUCO All-American Matt Evans (6-1, 220). Faheem Muhammad (5-11, 220) played in all 11 games last season at weakside linebacker.
Sac State returns five players with starting experience in the secondary. Webber had six interceptions last season to finish second in Division I-AA with .6 ints per game. Along with FS Brett Shelton (6-1, 205), the two have a combined 62 career starts. Shelton was a two-time second team All-Big Sky selection in 2004 and 2005. He was honorable mention last season after recording 72 tackles, which was third on the team.
CB Jody Johnson (5-9, 175) is standout track star winning the Big Sky’s indoor 55-meters and 200 outdoor. He should lockdown one corner spot after starting six games last season and earning honorable mention all-conference honors. He led the team in pass breakups with seven. Craig King (6-2, 200) started seven games last season as a freshman and recorded 26 tackles. Roc Green (5-9, 190) started two games last year in place of Johnson and was impressive in spring.
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