Coming into the 2002 college football season, the Sacramento State football program was like the proverbial college student that has had too much to drink, hung over.

After a successful 7-4 season in 2000, the Hornets posted a disappointing 2-9 record in 2001, prompting many to ask whether or not the Hornets could reach .500 again.

With a new athletic director, Terry Wanless, who has the proven track record of building a championship program at North Dakota, head coach John Volek has to be feeling a little bit of pressure to produce wins.

If the Hornets are going to have any chance of getting back to their winning ways of 2000, they?ll have to depend on an offense that was inconsistent, and at times unproductive in 2001.

The good news is that sophomore quarterback Ryan Leadingham, who set a school record with 2,753 passing yards last season, is back as the signal caller with a full year of experience under his belt.

“I feel confident that I will be able to have even more success this season,” Leadingham said. “We are just more focused and disciplined this season.”

The Hornet passing attack at times last year was brilliant, but at other times couldn?t be sustained due the lack of a running game.

However, with the addition of Tyronne Gross, a redshirt freshman who is expected to step in and give the Hornet ground game the boost it sorely needs, the Hornet offense will be able to keep opposing defenses honest.

“Last year teams would stay in nickel and dime packages to combat our aerial attack,” Volek said. “This year we?re hoping to change things by making opponents respect our running game.”

Leadingham will have his top-three receivers from a year ago returning.

Fred Amey, a 5-foot-11-inch, 187 pound sophomore, led the team in grabs a year ago hauling in 54 receptions, while senior Michael Johnson Jr. was a close second pulling down 50 passes.

Mix in senior Gary Austin Jr., who is tied for fourth in school history with 88 receptions and is only 32 receptions away from becoming the all-time leader.

Amey and Austin Jr. each had at least one reception in all 11 games last seasons.

Junior Kenan Smith also figures to be a factor in the Hornets passing scheme, and is considered by many to be the most explosive out of the bunch.

“The most important thing with us is that we need to remain consistent,” Amey said. “Last year there were times when we just didn?t make routine plays that should have been made.”

Johnson Jr. echoes the sentiments of his teammate.

“We must become a receiving group that makes plays consistently, anything else is just unacceptable,” Johnson Jr. said.

If the running game can come into its own, Leadingham may be on the cusp of becoming the schools first 3,000-yard passer.

Either way, Leadingham should become the schools all-time passing leader by year?s end.

The Hornet quarterback needs 2,333 yards this season to pass Mike Sullivan for the top spot.