Sacramento State?s football team lost its third consecutive Big Sky Conference game Saturday as the Hornets were blanked 20-0 by Montana State University at Bozeman, Mont.

The loss marked the first time the Hornets had been shut out since a 45-0 drubbing at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, back on Nov. 22, 1997.

“I?m disappointed in that our defense did a good job of forcing Montana State into punt situations that gave us good field position, but our offense couldn?t capitalize,” Sac State head football coach John Volek said. “We just didn?t take advantage of our opportunities. We need to really put together our offense, defense and special teams. One of them always seems to let us down every game.”

Coming off two games where the Hornet offense amassed over 1,000 total yards, the Hornets were stymied by the Bobcat defense and a blistering 40 mph wind that wreaked havoc on the Hornet attack all day.

The Hornets were only able to muster 128 total yards ? their lowest total since joining the Div. I-AA ranks.

The Hornets (2-4 overall, 1-3 in conference) encountered a problem that has haunted them all season long: an inefficient run game. The team had a total of 16 rushing yards. If not for a late 14-yard scamper by junior tailback Derard Barton, the rushing total would have been worse.

Sac State?s freshman sensation Ryan Leadingham, who last week passed for 285 yards against the No. 2 ranked University of Montana Grizzlies, was pummeled throughout the game.

Leadingham was sacked five times and completed just 13 of his 31 pass attempts for a measly 112 yards.

“They really put a target on Leadingham,” Volek said. “They threw 10 new blitzes at us and brought the house.”

The Bobcats (4-2 overall, 3-0 in conference) controlled the game with a pounding, time-consuming ground attack and a strong defensive effort.

By keeping the defense on the field for 34 minutes, 47 seconds ? nearly 10 minutes more than the Hornet offense ? the Bobcats were able to exploit Sac State?s banged-up defense that suited up only seven down linemen. Bobcat tailback Ryan Johnson carried the ball 41 times for a game-high 176 yards and a touchdown.

The Hornets were missing senior linebacker Lee Turner, defensive linemen Bilal Watkins and Maui Borden, and defensive backs Ed Canonico and Elton Gabourel. Starting linebacker Jeremy Callaway was added to the list Saturday after leaving the field due to injury in the first half.

The game turned ugly early on for the Hornets. Facing a fourth-and-14 situation from deep in their own territory, Hornet punter Jimmy Sanchez was set to kick into gusty winds. But an errant snap from the center hit freshman Raymond Payne, who was in motion before the punt attempt. Payne picked up the loose ball and was promptly stopped for a one-yard loss.

Montana State took over the ball at the Hornet 15-yard line and four plays later, Bobcat quarterback Tyler Thomas hit a wide-open Aaron Ware for a 23-yard touchdown strike with 12:35 left in the first quarter.

That was all the Bobcats needed.

The one drive that gave Sac State any glimmer of hope happened on the ensuing possession. After another punt by Sanchez ? who totaled 10 in the game ? Montana State?s standout punt returner Junior Adams attempted to pick up the free ball surrounded by Hornets, resulting in a fumble recovery at the 50 for the Hornets. Adams sprained his knee in the process.

The Bobcats took the ball and marched down the field on a seven-play drive that resulted in a 43-yard field goal by Bobcat kicker Nate Cook.

Trailing 10-0, Leadingham completed a 35-yard pass ? his longest connection of the day ? to freshman Fred Amey. The drive stalled inside the Bobcats? red zone, and Sanchez?s 39-yard field goal attempt, and any chance of the Hornets scoring, sailed wide left.

The Hornets hope to get better with a little home cooking. Their next game will be at Hornet Stadium Saturday at 6:05 p.m. against a tough Eastern Washington University squad.

“Our defense will be extremely challenged (this Saturday),” Volek said. “Eastern Washington has one of the best offenses in the country.”