Sacramento State football team?s defense swarmed and overwhelmed Idaho State University Saturday, forcing six fumbles and recovering four including one in the game?s final minutes by middle linebacker Lee Turner to help seal the school?s first Big Sky Conference opening victory, 33-27, in front of 8,887 fans at Hornet Stadium.

“Velocity, speed rush, bringing it to the ball carrier (and) not letting him bring it to you,” Hornets head coach John Volek said after the win. “Our practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we brought velocity back to our game.”

In their first game since the terrorist attacks on the east coast and their first since a 55-21 drubbing by California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo on Sept. 8, the victory was much needed for the Hornets (2-1, 1-0) whom have now defeated Idaho State four times in the last five years.

“Today was a start up for the whole country, after the long lay off its tough to get started again with all the distractions. I?m proud of my guys,” Volek said.

Capitalizing on five first-half Bengal fumbles, three resulting in turnovers, the Hornets took advantage of a short field and sprinted to a 27-7 halftime lead, outgaining the opposition 198-197 in total yards.

The Bengals came out in the second half a different team, however.

Led by junior quarterback Doug Baughman, the Bengals used a spread pass attack that saw Baughman use 10 different receivers and rack up 392 yards and two touchdowns.

Moving the ball at will throughout the second half, the Bengals seemed poised to overcome the first half difficulties and come away with the win, but Hornet cornerback Brandon Coleman and his teammates on defense wouldn?t let it happen.

Following a 39-yard field goal attempt by Hornet kicker Jimmy Sanchez that missed wide right, Baughman and the Bengals had one more chance to leave Hornet Stadium victorious.

But with less than a minute remaining and an anxious crowd on its feet watching what seemed to be a Bengal game-winning drive, Coleman popped Bengal wide out and Oakmont High graduate Jermain Anderson in the flat, resulting in another turnover, a fumble, and sealing the game for the Hornets.

Coleman, who earlier wrestled away an interception and knocked down two passes that proved key in stopping the Bengal?s wave of momentum.

“Tonight we played with a lot of emotion and a lot of fight,” Coleman said. “It was a big win for us.”

The Hornet offense was led by freshman gunslinger Ryan Leadingham, who continued to show improvement with every snap. Leadingham completed 20-of-35 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He also was tied second on the team in rushing with 24 yards, many of those yards coming on crucial third-down situations.

“It was fun out there,” Leadingham said. “My line completed (its) assignments and gave me the time I needed. I?m starting to feel more comfortable, especially with my audibles.”

Leadingham spread the ball all over the field hitting nine different receivers. His favorite target was Michael Johnson, who had a career night catching seven passes for a career-high 106 yards and one touchdown.

The 6-foot-1 junior was instrumental in stretching the Hornet passing game, using the “velocity” that coach Volek stressed to his players.

Despite an effective passing game and the victory, the running game was only able to muster 118 yards with running back Brett Collins leading the team with a meager 27 yards on 12 carries, a statistic that must improve if the Hornets want continued success in the competitive Big Sky.

When asked if concerned about the running attack, Volek responded, “Am I concerned? Oh yeah, I?m really concerned. I?m concerned with every facet of my team we have to get better. They?ll know on (practice) Monday.”

Sac State will look to continue its winning ways this Saturday when it takes to the road to face Weber State University at Ogden, Utah.Kick off is set for 12:35 p.m.

The game will be televised on the Fox Sports Network.