The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
Graphic created in Canva by Brionna Woody
The Buzz Ep. #2: When Swifties and BTS fandoms collide
Wan-Ling Yang, staffer • March 28, 2024
Here are some of the diverse women in the media industry who are making waves right now. From “Barbie” to “The Bear,” these women have starred in some of the most critically acclaimed shows and films. (Graphic created in Canva by Mia Huss)
Rewriting the script for diverse women in media
Mia Huss, Staffer • March 28, 2024
Senior shortstop Gunner Gouldsmith making a jumping play against UC Davis Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Gouldsmith extended his hitting streak to 18 to tie him with former Hornets Derek Brown and Blake Crosby for the seventh-longest hitting streak in school history.
Sac State falls in Causeway Rivalry rematch to UC Davis
Kai Arellano, Staffer • March 28, 2024
The 1980 western romance film called “Urban Cowboy” takes toxic love to new heights. (Graphic created in Canva by Alyssa Branum and photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Back to the 80s: 'Urban Cowboy'
Katelyn Marano, Copy Editor • March 28, 2024

Sac State starting quarterback transfers, leaves position up in the air

Former+Sacramento+State+quarterback+Nate+Ketteringham+throws+the+ball+against+Western+Oregon+at+Hornet+Stadium+on+Sept.+3%2C+2016.+Sources+reveal+that+Ketteringham+is+expected+to+transfer+to+North+Dakota.+%28Photo+by+Matthew+Dyer%29
Matthew Dyer
Former Sacramento State quarterback Nate Ketteringham throws the ball against Western Oregon at Hornet Stadium on Sept. 3, 2016. Sources reveal that Ketteringham is expected to transfer to North Dakota. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

After back-to-back 2-9 seasons, the Sacramento State football team will look for a new quarterback in 2017 to lead them to an above .500 record for the first time since 2014.

Two-year starting junior quarterback Nate Ketteringham was asked to transfer earlier this spring semester and has been granted his release along with the permission to talk to other universities.

Ketteringham, who sources said is expected to transfer to Big Sky Conference rival North Dakota, started 15 games for the Hornets during the past two seasons and finished his Sac State career ranked 11th in program history in passing yards (3,391), 10th in completion percentage (.548), eighth in completions (293), fourth in yards per game (199.5) and fourth in 300-plus yard passing games (5).

“I’m basically open to everything, looking at my options and weighing the best ones, seeing (which  program) fits me best,” Ketteringham told Skyline Sports regarding where he plans to transfer. “The coaching staff is the biggest thing. I still have my redshirt year, so I can go into a program, sit out and then play my last two years.”

The dual-threat quarterback rushed for 267 yards, scored four rushing touchdowns and averaged 15.7 rushing yards per game in two seasons.

Ketteringham, who originally planned to redshirt his freshman year, was asked to play midway through the 2015 season after starting quarterback Daniel Kniffin and backup Kolney Cassel both suffered season-ending injuries.

Senior offensive lineman Pailake Aiono started the past two seasons alongside Ketteringham and watched the four quarterbacks on the roster compete for the starting job during the spring.

“I was surprised when the news broke on Nate, but given the past two seasons I was aware that it was a possibility,” Aiono said. “Ketteringham’s athletic ability was a one-of-a-kind thing and I am going to miss his elusiveness.”

While Sac State still has four quarterbacks on its roster, head coach Jody Sears and offensive coordinator Paul Wulff have yet to name a starter for the 2017 season.

The quarterback with the most experience in a Sac State uniform is Cassel. As a 2015 transfer from Southern Methodist University, Cassel has a 54.5 completion percentage (61-for-112), threw for 637 yards and three touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception in eight games for the Hornets, but he missed all of spring with a shoulder injury.

Kevin Thomson — a junior transfer from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas — has not played a snap nor recorded any statistics at the collegiate level, but Aiono described him as the best leader of the four quarterbacks.

Sacramento State junior transfer quarterback Wyatt Clapper throws the ball for a touchdown during the May 12 spring football scrimmage at Hornet Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Wyatt Clapper, a junior transfer from Modesto Junior College, threw for 2,078 yards with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions to earn himself all-Valley Conference honors last season for the Pirates. At 6-foot-3, Clapper is the tallest of the four quarterbacks, but Aiono described him as the most timid of the bunch.

Roman Ale, a freshman who redshirted at Sac State last year, is the fastest of the four quarterbacks, but a lot of the aspects in his game are still developing, Aiono said.

Despite the void at the quarterback position, the Hornets do have one of the most experienced offensive lines they’ve had in the past few seasons. Sac State is returning all five offensive linemen from last year, including 2016 all-Big Sky honorable mention Aiono.

“In college football, it is hard to have the same offensive line for two-plus years,” Aiono said. “Returning all five guys is a huge boost for our chemistry and this year (so) there is no excuse for us (not) to be better.”

In seasons past, the offensive lines’ inexperience was a big part of the struggles from Ketteringham and the other quarterbacks. Despite paving the way for an average of 171.8 rushing yards per game in 2016, the line also allowed 35 total sacks in the same year and 61 in the past two seasons.

Whoever the starting quarterback is in 2017, the biggest thing the team is looking to improve on is decision-making.

“At (the quarterback) position, you have to make the best decisions on the field,” Aiono said. “Since Garrett (Safron) left, we have just lacked (in that) aspect at that position.”

View Comments (1)
Donate to The State Hornet
$700
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Sacramento State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Noah Alvarez, Author
Donate to The State Hornet
$700
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (1)

View our comment policy here.
Comments are Closed.
All The State Hornet Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest
  • Michael GomezJul 26, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Whatever happened to the real school colors on the football uniforms? As a student in 1971, The colors were Green and Gold. Now I see Green and white……Please explain…..and for sure we need an accurate passing quarterback..