In the days prior to Sacramento State’s season opener against Oregon State, terms like “blowout,” “body-bag” and “mauling” were being tossed around lightly. With all predictions accounted for, no one saw the Hornets first-ever encounter with a Pacific-10 conference team finishing with positive results. But on the Hornet’s first possession — 60 minutes before the game ended 40-7 in favor of the Beavers – quarterback Ryan Leadingham led Sac State to OSU’s 10-yard line, and questions began to surface.

Was Sac State about to score on the Pac-10’s No. 2 defense? Outmatched in speed and size, were the Hornets about to stun a regional television audience as well as a sold out crowd of orange-clad Oregon State fans? Was Corvallis about to be stung?

The answer was no.

“I like the challenge we had,” head coach Steve Mooshagian said. “I was pleased with the first drive. We did the things we wanted to do.”

Things done: first there was the completion to Idaho State transfer Jason Girley. Then wide receiver Kenan Smith, reeled in a pass from Leadingham, and took off down the field for 33 yards. Running back Tyronne Gross had a nine-yard carry and two plays later picked up a first down. With a Beaver personal foul penalty tacked on, the Hornets were only 10 yards away from crossing the threshold and being the first team to light up the scoreboard.

Four downs later — after a delay of game penalty, a sack and a third down incompletion — true freshman Mitch Lively was attempting the first field goal of his collegiate career. The 41-yard attempt was wide and Sac State was left to halt OSU running back Steven Jackson. Jackson’s name has been mentioned in the same breath with Heisman Trophy candidates and he was a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top running back.

“(Jackson) is a NFL caliber running back,” Mooshagian said. “I don’t see our team playing against another guy like that this season.”

And what exactly is NFL caliber?

By Thursday’s standards, NFL caliber would be 43 yards on six carries during the Beavers’ first drive of the game, single handedly carrying his team into scoring territory. On the Hornets 23-yard line Sac State’s defense — playing without starting safety Camron Mbewa due to a sprained knee — pushed OSU back 20 yards when Beaver running back Kenny Farley fumbled the ball out of bounds.

A 39-yard field goal from Kirk Yliniemi put the Beavers on the board, but after the first quarter OSU still had only three points to show for their effort.

“We played a top-25 caliber football team,” Mooshagian said. “They’ll be in a bowl game.”

And the final three quarters proved why.

Jackson continued to break tackle after tackle, scoring on a one-yard touchdown while OSU quarterback Derek Anderson connected with tight end Tim Euhus for the Beavers’ second score. With another field goal tacked on before halftime and OSU’s defense stifling Gross and chasing Leadingham from sideline to sideline, Sac State took a 17-0 deficit into the locker-room at the break.

In the second half the Hornet defense still had no answer for Jackson, who finished the game with 129 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. Anderson connected with receiver Mike Haas for the quarterback’s second touchdown of the game. The Beavers were able to pass for 301 yards and gain 527 yards of total offense.

Lively missed a second field goal attempt in the third quarter after OSU transfer Josh Farrell put the Hornets in scoring territory, when he recovered a mishandled punt by Aric Williams.

In the fourth quarter, after avoiding pressure from OSU’s defensive front line, Leadingham was taken out of the game and replaced with second-year quarterback Blake Mori.

“He was very courageous,” Mooshagian said of his starting quarterback. “He still wanted to stay in there and play. We’ve got a good offensive line, but (OSU) has some good players that can push the pocket.”

Midway through the fourth quarter Sac State was able to avoid a shutout when Mori muscled through the Beavers’ defense for a two-yard score. A 31-yard pass to wide receiver Dustin Hagens and key rushes from Farrell put Sac State in scoring position.

Sac State had only 16 first downs compared to the Beavers’ 27, but had no turnovers. The Hornets totaled 254 yards of offense with Leadingham completing 23 passes for 146 yards. Wide receiver Fred Amey caught two passes totaling 59 yards to lead Hornet receivers.

“(The game) was a positive and unbelievable experience for our players,” Mooshagian said. “It was just a different caliber game.”