When the cards were stacked against the Sacramento State football team on Saturday night against Eastern Washington, the Hornet offense simply ran right through them.

With five players suspended for Saturday’s game, including starting fullback Derard Barton, the Hornet offense rushed for 350 yards en route to a 48-41 win over the Eagles.

Starting safeties Camron Mbewa and Ramon Payne were also suspended, along with linebacker Anthony Palomarez, wide receiver Gary Austin Jr. and Barton.

Starting in place of Mbewa and Payne at the safety positions were Jeremy Calloway and Robert Coleman, who led the Hornets in tackles with eight and seven, respectively. Coleman also recorded two interceptions.

“They went in there and made plays,” defensive coordinator Lou Patrone said. “It was huge for us because it’s a tough job being a backup. You never know when it’s your turn.”

Coleman and Callaway weren’t the only Hornets who had to step up.

With Barton out, three Hornets rushed for over 90 yards in the game, led by Tyronne Gross’ 151 yards and three touchdowns. Fullback Kendall Riley and running back Garrett White rushed for 96 and 95 yards, respectively.

The Eagles (4-4 overall, 1-3 in Big Sky) outscored Sac State (3-6, 2-2 BSC) 21-7 over the final five minutes, but the Hornets were able to hold on in the end.

Eastern Washington quarterback Josh Blankenship kick-started the comeback with two touchdown passes in the span of 19 seconds to cut the Hornet lead to 41-34 with 4:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Tyronne Gross responded with a 16-yard touchdown run two minutes later to make the score 48-34.

“It was a run to the left,” Gross said. “I ended up reversing the field, and there was one (defender) who was still with me. I ran around (quarterback Ryan Leadingham) and he laid the guy out. I ran in the end zone with my hand up. I knew the game was over.”

The Eagles scored with 58 seconds remaining on Jovan Griffith’s third touchdown run of the game to cut the Hornet lead to seven points. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Hornet receiver Jeremy Siemiller. The Hornets ran the clock out from there.

“It got scary in the end with onside kicks, but we were always in control,” Volek said.

The Hornets started the scoring affair with a Fred Amey touchdown reception from Leadingham, and a Brett LeVier 31-yard field goal in the first quarter. Gross gave the Hornets a 17-0 lead four seconds into the second quarter with a five-yard touchdown run.

Following two Eagle field goals, LeVier connected on a 18-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter. The Hornets went into half time with a 20-6 lead.

Garrett White threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kenan Smith early in the third quarter, while Leadingham and Gross both ran in second half touchdowns before Blankenship started the Eagle comeback effort.

The Hornets have now won two-straight road games, as the team knocked off Northern Arizona, then ranked No. 8, in Flagstaff two weeks ago.

“I think we’re becoming a contender,” Volek said. “A contender has to win on the road and establish home supremacy.”

The Hornets are currently 1-1 at home, and will have a chance to improve that record next week when they square-off against Montana State on Saturday at 6:05 p.m.

“I think the adversity has helped them,” Patrone said. “I think the road has helped season this team and they’re growing.”