“When we got the onside kick I knew we were going to win the game,” quarterback Ryan Leadingham said.

What Leadingham didn’t know at that time was that several minutes earlier, after completing a pass to running back Garrett White, he set a new passing record at Sacramento State.

In the third quarter, Leadingham, only a sophomore, became Sac State’s all-time leading passer with 5,213 yards. The old record dated back 19 years to Mike Sullivan, who finished his Sac State career in 1983 with 5,085 yards.

“The record is nice,” Leadingham said. “But a win means so much more to me. Records come and go, but wins are tough.”

A handshake and congratulations from coach John Volek was all it took bring a smile to the face of Leadingham, who didn’t learn of his accomplishment until after the game.

Leadingham has one more game this season to add to his new total that he accumulated on 22-of-40 passing for 305 yards on Saturday night. With two more years at the offensive helm this record could easily double.

Leadingham ended his night with a strike to tight end Caleb Jones on a two-point conversion, giving the Hornets a 41-38 lead with 1:34 remaining in the game.

“The record is nice,” Leadingham reiterated. “I know my Dad’s happy.”

LeVier breaks Hornet record for field goals The sophomores continued to do well for the Hornets on Saturday night. Kicker Bret Levier set a new school record, knocking down four field goals from distances of 37, 19, 22, and 27 yards. The previous school record of field goals in one game was three.

More importantly, late in the fourth quarter LeVier possibly made the play of the game.

After Kendall Riley’s one-yard touchdown, LeVier had to make the onside kick, and Hornets had to recover for a shot to win the game. LeVier sent the ball sailing high and short to the right side of the field. Weber State’s Wiley King misjudged the kick and mishandled the catch. Najib Magee recovered the loose ball at the Wildcat’s 39 yard line, setting up the final scoring drive.

Johnson gets first touchdown grab of season

Speaking of Sac State’s final scoring drive, fifth year senior Michael Johnson Jr. had five touchdowns coming into his final season at Sac State. Coming up short this year with no touchdown receptions to his credit, Johnson made the most critical reception of his career.

With 1:34 left in the game, trailing Weber State 38-33, Johnson caught a 32-yard pass in the end zone from fellow wide receiver Kenan Smith.

“Kenan made a great pass and I just went for it,” Johnson said, who was met by several Wildcat defenders after making the catch, but managed to hang on to the football. “I didn’t know where I was at,” Johnson said. “I was just hoping I was in the end zone.”

Strange but true: University of Georgia receiver Michael Johnson also caught a go-ahead touchdown on Saturday. His score came with 1:27 remaining in the game, only seven seconds earlier from Michael Johnson Jr’s.

Notes: This was quarterback Ryan Leadingham’s first game in the 2002 season where he passed for over 300 yards (305)… This was the third time this season wide receiver Fred Amey collected over 100 (109) yards.