It just struck me as odd. Its not something that I’ve ever heard anybody talk about since I’ve been at Sac State. I’m referring to a quote by Sac State’s newest linebacker Santi Hall.

Hall, before ever putting on the green and gold of the Hornets, said that if they beat Portland State on Saturday, that they would go on to win the national championship. The national championship?

It became obvious to me at that point that Hall comes from a place where expectations are a little bit higher than they are here at Sac State…and it’s refreshing.

It’s understandable that the football team is building up to national championship aspirations, after all, last season was there first winning year. It’s just nice to know that the team has a new team leader who doesn’t want to settle for a small bowl of mashed potatoes when there’s a prime rib in sight.

While the team couldn’t quite manage the victory against Portland State that would in Hall’s opinion, springboard them to the national spotlight, this is the type of attitude that Sac State needs more of. Confidence to go along with ability, and Hall definitely has ability.

For those unfamiliar with Mr. Hall, he is a newly transferred student athlete to Sac State. He left UCLA, a team that was ranked number 17 in the nation before their big win Saturday against number three Michigan. He led their team in sacks last year, so his presence will be missed at UCLA, and is very much welcomed here at Sac State.

He’s going to make this team’s defense a whole lot better. The second tackle that he made on Saturday is evidence enough to show that other teams are going to fear him. I don’t know how that Portland State player got back up. The past two weeks, the opposition has been concentrating on Anthony Daisley, and double teaming him. Hall will now command that respect and make Daisley an even bigger force on this defense. With both Hall and Daisley putting pressure on the quarterback, the defensive backs will have a little bit less pressure put on them as well.

I questioned the defensive ability of this team before the season began, and if you take away the last 16:20 of the Portland State game, they’ve proved to be a solid defense and they’ve answered most of my questions. Throw Hall in the mix, and I think they’ve got a defense that can do more than just keep the offense in the game. This is a defense that can throw a shutout on any given week.

In all actuality, the only low point for the Hornets this year has been Charles Roberts’ inability to hang on to the football. While he’s getting his yards, he’s also coughed up the ball four times in the first three games, including a back breaker at the five-yard line on Saturday. A fumble which ended a drive that could have resulted in the go ahead touchdown, and gave full momentum of the game to Portland State.

Charles may break the rushing record, but he can’t keep turning the ball over if he wants to get the type of recognition that he well deserves, and he can’t keep turning the ball over if this team is going to beat the tougher competition in the Big Sky conference. This team is just inches away from hitting on all cylinders. If they can keep up the defensive intensity, and Roberts can keep a sure grip on the ball, this team still has a chance to win the Big Sky, and make some noise in the playoffs. Comments? E-mail [email protected]