Sacramento State?s football team?s home game against Eastern Washington came down to a final play in overtime on Saturday.

The Hornets, down 42-35, faced a fourth-and-two situation. The visiting Eagles lined up looking for the rush as Hornet quarterback Ryan Leadingham received the snap and attempted a short pass to the flats. But the ball was batted down by an Eastern Washington defensive lineman to seal the victory for the Eagles. Despite the loss, Sac State coach John Volek was pleased with the effort put forth by his team.

“We showed more than life. We took it to the fifth quarter,” he said.

In similar fashion last season, the Hornets defeated Eastern Washington with a field goal with no time remaining. Unfortunately for Sac State, the victor Saturday night was Eastern Washington. The Hornets have dropped their last four games, a streak which hasn?t been repeated since 1998, as the Eagles remain undefeated at 6-0 at Fred Anderson Field.

The Hornets? playoff hopes took a shot with their record now at 2-5 overall (1-4 against Big Sky opponents).

Sac State started off the game with Leadingham passing and fullback Kendall Riley rushing all over the field, as the two led the Hornets in taking a commanding 21-0 lead.

Riley pounded the ball on the ground averaging, over five yards a carry with a total of 21 rushes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. More impressively, the Hornet defense, led by defensive back Camron Mbewa with 14.5 tackles and a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown, shut down the Eagles? No. 1 ranked Big Sky offense until midway through the second quarter.

With 5:18 left in the second quarter, the Eagles turned the tide, scoring 21 unanswered points to close out the half.

Their offense was led by Jesse Chatman?s Eastern Washington record-breaking 298 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries. He scored the game?s final touchdown on a one-yard scamper.

The Hornets temporarily regained the momentum with Derard Barton, who finished with 66 yards, rushing in from a yard out placing the Hornets on top, 28-21.

Chatman took over, adding to his attack scoring on a 23-yard run and then from a yard out giving his team its first lead of the game. On forth and goal for the Hornets, Riley pounced the ball in from a yard out ? the forth of five one yard touchdown runs from both teams ? to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, each team was given one drive that began on the opponent?s 25-yard line, and Eastern Washington received the ball first. Maintaining their efficient ground attack, the Eagle drive was led by Chatman, who finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

The extra point was good, but the Hornets committed a penalty and were called for roughing the kicker.

With the extra 15 yards tacked on against the Hornets? ensuing drive, Sac State was forced to start from the 40-yard line. The penalty evidently hurt the Hornets, as they failed to score on the fourth down.

Even though the Hornets put up 35 points, coach Volek wasn?t happy with the offense.

“We?re not where we need to be on offense,” Volek said.

That is because the Hornet defense scored one touchdown and picked off an Eagle pass inside the Eagles? 40-yard line that led to another touchdown.

“We need to muster up points on a consistent basis,” Riley said. “We?re a young team that will keep on getting better.”

The Hornets will next host University of California, Davis, in the 48th Causeway Classic. The grudge match will take place Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Fred Anderson Field.