Violating team rules kept junior running back Tyronne Gross from reaching the field during last Saturday’s 38-28 victory against Montana State. Without Gross, the Hornets needed their offense to produce.

Head coach Steve Mooshagian suspended Gross Nov. 1 for violating team rules, two days before the team found out the fate of freshman running back Ryan Mole, who was ineligible for two weeks during an investigation into his SAT scores — a year after the fact — according to Mooshagian.

On Nov. 3, Mole was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Educational Testing Service, the agency responsible for investigating the validity of the scores.

Mooshagian said that an academic institution raised a complaint as to the validity of Mole’s score and it took a two-week investigation to clear him. Without the aid of both Athletic Director Terry Wanless and University President Alexander Gonzalez, Mooshagian said, the process may have been longer.

“It’s something that should never have happened,” Mooshagian said. “I think of what would have happened if we had him in those two games he missed (two games the Hornets lost).”

Mole returned to the backfield to rush for 245 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

Mole was slow to warm up, rushing for only 36 yards on 13 carries in the first half; but hit the jets in the second half. As the third quarter began, Mole sprinted 87 yards for a touchdown, recording his first score of the evening.

“The linemen worked their butts off and opened some great holes,” Mole said.

Mole had started, but had not finished. Mirroring his previous run, Mole recorded his second touchdown on a 50-yard run to the end zone.

“We passed to set up the run and ran to set up the pass; so they didn’t know what to expect,” Amey said.

With 8:22 remaining in the first half, Amey faded through the scoring ground as Leadingham lobbed the ball 25 yards to put Sac State up 21-7.

Amey topped all performers, recording eight receptions for 165 yards tacking on two touchdowns.

The offense clicked with junior center Dustin Nicolodi starting for the first time this season. Nicolodi had seen playing time before Saturday night, but had not been at full strength.