To every football team, the way they run the football and play the run on defense usually determines how much success they will have.

Sacramento State is no different. Its offense is counting on starting running back Ryan Mole to possibly duplicate his impressive freshman season from a season ago.

The Santa Maria, Calif. native led the Hornets in rushing in 2004 with 858 yards and five touchdowns.

Mole was named co-Big Sky Newcomer of the Year and an honorable mention selection in both all-Big Sky and Freshman All-American.

Mole did all that while only playing in nine of the Hornets’ 11 games. He averaged 95.3 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry in his freshman season.

“This year has been a little different in that I am the go-to guy right now,” Mole said. “Last season I had to come in to camp and prove myself. I had to split time with (Tyronne) Gross some last season, but this year I knew if I worked hard and earned my spot that would be getting most of the time.”

“Ryan is much more mature player than he was last season,” head coach Steve Mooshagian said. “We are asking him to do more in terms of blocking and receiving, and right now he is just making the most of his opportunities.”

The Hornets offense hasn’t had as much success so far this season and it has affected Mole and the running game. Playing without former All-American wide receiver Fred Amey and four-year starting quarterback Ryan Leadingham, the Hornets have struggled to get points and move the ball in the first three games. Mole has rushed for 235 yards in the three games, but he’s only averaging 3.35 yards per carry.

“The running game is very important for us right now,” Mole said. “Teams have been keying on the run game more than last year. When our passing game gets going it should open the running lanes for us. I do think there is a little bit more pressure on me and the line and people have doubted me, so I am just trying to get that breakout game for us. It will happen for us.”

Mooshagian has preferred to stay on the ground early in this season because of the tough defenses they’ve faced and his desire to control the clock more and make the game more of a field position battle.

“We are focusing on the running game by choice,” Mooshagian said. “We have been limited by the quarterback situation with (Chris) Hurd getting hurt, but we have played three dominating defenses and we have been trying to slow the game down and let our defense get some rest. By staying on the ground more it has helped us do that.”

The game when Mole made a name for himself as a freshman was against this weekend’s opponent, UC Davis.

In last year’s Causeway Classic, Mole rushed for 132 yards and a 63-yard touchdown run on 16 carries.

It was Mole’s second 100 yard rushing game in only his third game with Sac State. Mole would have his best game in the ninth game of the season when his 245 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped the Hornets upset then No. 22 ranked Montana State 38-28.

“I would say the speed of the game has slowed down a bit from last year to this year,” Mole said. “It’s been easier to make reads but since I played well last year, teams are focusing more on me and the running part of our offense.”

Mole does have high hopes for this season and will try to get the Hornet offense back on track, and for the Hornets to get on the win column at some point, they will need Mole to have that breakout game he’s been waiting for.

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Mitch McLaughlin can be reached at [email protected]