Don?t count the Sacramento State football team out yet, despite what it?s record and certain preseason polls might suggest.

Big Sky coaches collectively believe that the 2002 rendition of the Hornets will finish conference play in seventh place, just ahead of Weber State.

And although they limp back into Hornet Stadium winless after two road games, wounded and depleted, there is still a lot of season ahead of them.

And, frankly, I?d hate to be Cal Poly.

Cal Poly comes in banged up and battle-tested, playing three games in three weeks. Two of those games were played on the road, as the Mustangs ventured back-and-forth from Ohio.

The Hornets, on the other hand, have this week off, which is just enough time to ready the guns and give the home crowd an explosive showing.

The Hornet fans are in for a treat come Sept. 21, and some unlikely heroes will provide the fireworks, namely linebacker Ryan Kroeker and kicker Paul Kerr.

And Cal Poly, well, they?re in for something else.

Paul Kerr, punter and kicker:

Kerr should have an expanded role against the Mustangs.

Kerr has been used exclusively this season as the team?s punter and has taken all of the kick-offs. Against St. Mary?s, Kerr booted eight punts, averaging 32.6 yards.

However, he hasn?t attempted a field goal or an extra point for the Hornets. Not yet, at least.

That responsibility has been left up to Brett LeVier so far, who has failed miserably in the first two games of the season. LeVier has shanked both point-after attempts, sending both wide left.

The part-time Hornet baseball player was destined for kicking greatness after hitting 9-of-10 extra-points and all of his field goal attempts last season, but he has yet to live up to that reputation so far.

Kerr could crack the line-up as the team?s first-string place-kicker again Cal Poly, assuming all the kicking duties.

The Hornets can?t afford to squander any more opportunities and head coach John Volek knows it.

Ryan Kroeker, middle linebacker:

This junior college transfer is sure to see a lot of action against Cal Poly.

Kroeker, a transfer from Bakersfield Junior College, leads the Hornets defense in tackles with 25. He recorded 13 tackles against the run-happy Gaels.

Cal Poly will probably try to exploit the absence of Park McAllister in the middle of the defense, but with little success. Kroeker sniffs out tackles and is among the hardest hitters on the Hornet defense.

What, did you think the guy was a junior college All-American for nothing?

All of this spells danger for Mustang attack that has had trouble moving the ball this season.