For the past four seasons, Sacramento State football fans have seen the No. 22 jersey making tackles all over the field and leading the way for the Hornets defense. The man in that No. 22 jersey is Matt Logue, the 2005 team captain.

The senior linebacker from Grass Valley, Calif., has raised his game in his senior season as his importance on the team has grown. Coming into this season, Logue had started 25 of 36 games in his four-year career and been one of the team’s leaders in tackles each year. He was named second-team all-Big Sky after last season.

“Matt has been very consistent for us and has become one of the best linebackers in the Big Sky,” head coach Steve Mooshagian said.

“He has a great feel for the game and his tackling has improved this season. He is playing with more confidence more so than at any point in his career.”

For this season, Logue has had to continue to play at that high level and be the team’s primary captain. He is joined by three teammates each game for the coin toss, but Logue was voted as the team’s captain before the season and is trying to lead a young defense, something he’s been able to do so far this year.

“I’ve always considered myself a leader even before this year,” Logue said. “Now having the title makes you more aware of what you say in front of your teammates. You always have to be upbeat and trying to lead by example is something I always try to do.”

And that’s exactly what Logue has done. He is leading the team in tackles with 39 and is one of five players to have a quarterback sack this season. Tyson Butler and Mike Brannon lead the team with two each.

“Logue is a great leader as he always shows and does the right things,” quarterback Brad Tredway said. “The guy is somebody that anyone can talk to at any time.

“He gets us motivated to do the right things at all times and he is somebody that you can count on both on and off of the field. He is trustworthy and is a great representative of our team.”

Logue’s best game of the young season came against Northern Arizona where his two forced turnovers were a big reason the Hornets won their first game. He had an interception in the first quarter which set up a Sac State field goal and a fumble recovery deep in Hornet territory which snuffed out a potential NAU score.

“That game was definitely one of my best, if not the best,” Logue said. “But the Montana State game last year stands out more than any because it was big win for us, upsetting a top 25 team. There’s a few every year that stand out, unfortunately I wish there were a few more. We haven’t won that many in the last few years.”

Even though Logue has been individually one of the top performers for Sac State football the last four seasons, he has only been focused on helping Sac State become a winner and to compete at a higher level against the top teams in the Big Sky.

“I definitely haven’t reached any of my goals yet,” he said. “Winning the Big Sky and making the playoffs has always been my top goal as a Hornet. In my first three years we’ve won 10 games and it has been frustrating since you put so much energy and work into it.”

One way Logue can help Sacramento achieve those goals is by continuing the strong play of the defensive unit. Despite losing arguably their three best players from a season ago (cornerback Ramon Payne, defensive end Jacob Houston and linebacker Jimmy Ellingson) the defense has been the strongest part of the team. Logue attributes this to a strong game-plan each week from defensive coordinator Tim Skipper and chemistry that has developed with most of the guys being together for the past few season.

“We have the talent to execute (coach) Skipper’s game-plan and our defense has worked really well with one another,” Logue said. “We’ve been trying to preach that everyone is accountable for their job and that is something that we’ve all done so far.”

The importance of Logue for this year’s team can’t be measured and he has shown it with the way he’s played and helped lead the team.

“I think he is definitely one of the most important players to this team and the program itself,” Houston said. “A lot of players look up to him, and he always shows great leadership towards guys on and off the playing field.

“As everyone has seen already he is probably the best player we have on defense. There are plenty of reasons he is our captain and our only captain.”

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Mitch McLaughlin can be reached at [email protected]