Playing in their second intra-squad scrimmage of spring practice, the Sacramento State football team was sporting a new attitude on Saturday night at Granite Bay High School. It’s a new attitude which has been brought about by head coach Steve Mooshagian, who is participating in his first-ever spring practice with the Hornets.

T-shirts and team posters branded with the phrase “A New Attitude” were dispersed among the Hornet faithful.

Fans bravely fought off the cold temperatures to try and catch a glimpse of the talent and revamped system that head coach Steve Mooshagian hopes will take the Hornets to the next level, coming off a 5-7 season.

“We are allowing play makers on defense to make plays and causing turnovers and creating havoc,” Mooshagian said.

Last year the Hornets gave up more yards than any other team in the Big Sky, but on Saturday, the offense — led by quarterbacks Ryan Leadingham and Blake Mori — were shutdown by a defensive line that let very little get past the linebacking core.

Kelly Micco, who converted in the off-season from linebacker to defensive end, got to the quarterback on several occasions, as the offensive line found no answer for the junior’s superior quickness. “(Micco) is in a much more natural position,” Mooshagian said. “He is an excellent pass rusher and has tried to add more speed… Kelly is intelligent and a good athlete. He has grasped what the coaches wanted him to.”

Running backs were being stopped in the backfield, and screens were being pursued at a frantic pace as the defensive backs patrolled the backfield like hawks attacking prey with little mercy.

Junior Ramon Payne made the switch from free safety to cornerback, and the switch has paid off with dividends. Payne, who is the most improved player on the defensive side of the ball according to Mooshagian, is joined by Fresno State transfer Kevin Tennerson, who will be taking Payne’s former place at free safety.

The rest of the backfield will be formed with returnees Jeremy Johnson and Camron Mbewa. But the lineup hasn’t been set yet as six players will be joining the defensive backfield when fall practice begins, and the lineup will be the most competitive group on the field.

Without offensive lineman Chris Frank in the lineup, the offensive line was shaken up, with players playing out of position, according to Mooshagian.

During the Granite Bay scrimmage Leadingham and Mori each found moments of brilliance, throwing accurate passes and juking defenders.

One play left the closest defender about 20 yards away from senior Kenan Smith, who was already celebrating in the endzone after easily brining in a pass from Leadingham.

Smith, who Mooshagian named as the most improved player on the offensive side of the ball, will be leading the receiving corps alongside junior Fred Amey.

Tyronne Gross will be the main running back, with Kendall Riley and Chris Daniels will also be seeing time.

“You’re going to see an exciting brand of football,” Mooshagian said of his team who will play in the annual Green and Gold game on Friday at 6 p.m. at Hornet Field.

“Hopefully guys will be making big plays. We can’t show everything, the whole bag of tricks won’t be used, but we’ll still have an exciting brand of football to watch.”

The team went through drills and plays meticulously in their scrimmage. They celebrated spectacular team and individual efforts with brazen, but friendly shots to the helmet.

All the practice is gearing toward a 2003 schedule which features a Div. I matchup with the Pac-10’s Oregon State.