After a tough 58-23 Causeway Classic loss last week, Sacramento State football head out of state to face Northern Arizona in its Big Sky Conference opener this Saturday in Flagstaff, Ariz.

“We need to keep a positive outlook … we’ll get everyone healthy and back to their right spot before Saturday,” head coach Steve Mooshagian said.

After competing in the first half against the Aggies, the offense faltered, failing to score in the second half while the Aggies continued their three-game win streak.

“I told the players to go home and look at themselves in the mirror and think about where they want this season to go,” Mooshagian said. “We have players whose hearts are in it and whose minds are in it, we need players who have both elements at the same time.”

The Lumberjacks fought for their first win of the year in week three. Northern Arizona defeated Big Sky foe Weber State, 55-27, as sophomore quarterback Jason Murrietta completed 18 passes for 217 yards with three touchdowns.

Both teams have the potential to score points with different styles. Sac State senior quarterback Ryan Leadingham seems to rely on key playmakers, throwing to senior wide receiver Fred Amey and handing off to true freshman running back Ryan Mole, while Murrietta spreads the ball around to several receivers and can fall back on a consistent running attack.

In week two against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, Leadingham hooked up with preseason All-American Fred Amey for both of his touchdowns. In week three in Davis, Amey went down with a bruised quadricept and did not return to the game.

“Fred is alright, he’s got a bruised quad but should be back out on the practice field in a few days,” Mooshagian said.

In 2003, Sac State suffered a close loss against the Lumberjacks, falling by a score of 24-21 at Hornet Stadium. That game like the one upcoming was the week directly following the Causeway Classic. Murrietta, then a freshman threw for a career-high 431 yards of the Lumberjacks’ 513 total yards.

Sac State led that game midway through the fourth quarter until Murrietta called his own number, running the ball in from five yards out to take a 24-21 lead and the win. From that point forward, the Hornets did not hold a lead at any point the rest of the season.

The two schools have faced each other nine times, leaving the Lumberjacks ahead in the series 6 games to 3. Sac State takes the advantage in Flagstaff, Ariz., leading the series 3-2 at the J.L. Walkup Skydome.