Hornets run out of gas late and fall short of upset in California Clash Hornets pay the price for missed opportunities and mistakes

Week one of college football is often a whirlwind of unpredictability, and the FCS-FBS matchup between Sacramento State and San Jose State was no exception, ending in a 42-24 loss for the Hornets. The game, filled with chaos and miscues, offered a mix of excitement and frustration for fans.

The Hornets saw promising moments early on. In the first quarter, senior Idaho transfer Murvin Kenion III made a remarkable interception off a sideline pass from San Jose State’s sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown, intended for redshirt senior wide receiver Nick Nash. Kenion III, who was recognized in the offseason for his leadership and guidance to younger defensive players, made a significant impact.

“He’s an older guy, he brings leadership to the secondary,” said senior nickel Gavin Davis-Smith. “He has a lot of experience, so he’s helped me lead the secondary and the defense as a whole.”

Junior running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver ignited the offense with a 21-yard run to set up a first-and-goal situation, eventually scoring the game’s first touchdown. His momentum continued when he caught an 8-yard pass and scored another touchdown from 2 yards out.

However, the game took a turn when senior linebacker Will Leota was disqualified for a targeting penalty in the first quarter. This gave the Spartans a free 15 yards, which they quickly converted into a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Nash.

Senior running back Ezra Moleni provided a boost by adding some key runs, while senior quarterback Kaiden Bennett managed a 21-yard pass. Despite Tau-Tolliver’s impressive first quarter, he was stopped twice at the goal line, and a subsequent drive ended in a turnover on downs.

“We started off fast, but as we’ve all seen, that slowed down,” Tau-Tolliver reflected. “But I think we are going to be very good. That was just one game. We have Fresno next week and I think we will change that.”

After forcing a three-and-out, the Hornets added a field goal thanks to a 22-yard run by Tau-Tolliver. However, San Jose State responded with a trick play: Brown threw a backward pass to Nash, who then connected with his junior tight end for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Hornets held a narrow 17-14 lead at halftime, but their momentum seemed to wane. Tau-Tolliver, who had 88 rushing yards in the first half, finished the game with 110 yards, but his second-half opportunities were limited.

San Jose State came out strong after the break, with Brown completing nearly every pass and finishing a drive with another touchdown to Nash. Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson acknowledged the defense’s initial strength but stressed the need for improvement.

“So, always room for improvement with our defense,” Thompson said. “But I like how the kids competed.”

Bennett, who was briefly sidelined after a hard hit in the third quarter, was replaced by redshirt freshman Carson Conklin. Conklin’s second pass was a 20-yard touchdown to redshirt freshman wide receiver Danny Scudero, marking Scudero’s first collegiate touchdown.

Despite the Hornets’ efforts, including a strong drive that ended in a 4-yard touchdown run by San Jose State’s Floyd Chalk IV, the Spartans gained control. A brutal hit on a kickoff return left junior running back Michael Johnson injured and led to a long stoppage as medical staff attended to him. Johnson was later transported off the field, conscious and able to move his extremities.

“The momentum seemed to go in favor of the Spartans after the fumble recovery,” Tau-Tolliver said. “We had some tough breaks, but we need to focus on ball security and cutting down on penalties.”

The Hornets ended the game with five turnovers, including two interceptions by Bennett and fumbles by Johnson and Coleman Kuntz. San Jose State capitalized on these mistakes and extended their lead with a final score of 42-24.

Notre Dame will look to rebound as they face Fresno State next week on September 7 at Valley Children’s Stadium.