The Hornets go head-to-head with the Lobos of New Mexico in their third consecutive road game to start the season. It marks the second Division 1-A opponent that the Hornets will play this year.

The Hornets have never faced the Lobos, making this a big game and historical occasion.

“This is the first year we’ve played two Division 1-A opponents since I’ve been here,” senior defensive back Brent Webber said. “We had some success against Fresno, so we’re going in pretty confident to upset them (New Mexico).”

Sacramento State comes off its first conference game against Portland State, losing 35-24. The Hornets produced 394 yards of offense, a huge improvement from the week before.

“I feel a lot more confident,” redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Smith said. “I’m starting to develop a good relationship with my receivers and starting to feel more comfortable with the line as well.”

New Mexico lost its first game of the season to University of Texas at El Paso 10-6, but then bounced back against New Mexico State, winning the rivalry 44-34. Last week against Arizona, the Lobos squeaked out a win 29-27.

“New Mexico is a very good football team,” Sac State coach Marshall Sperbeck said. “They look better than Fresno State, so our work is going to be cut out for us.”

“We feel positive,” junior running back Torrell Baker said. “We treat every team the same. Three games away from home and the adverse conditions we’ve experienced on the road are only going to prepare us more for this game.”

Smith, wide receiver Ryan Coogler and running back Travon Jones will have to have another solid performance as well as the offensive line. The Lobos are giving up 333 yards per game passing, so the Hornets will have a chance to air it out a little bit and test New Mexico’s defensive backfield.

On the Lobos’ offensive side of the ball, they fall back on the strength of their senior running back Rodney Ferguson. After three games, he is averaging 114 yards a contest and is a candidate this year for the Doak Walker Award.

“We will have all packages in and be blitzing a lot,” Webber said.

The Lobos can put it in the air too – Donovan Porterie threw for three TD’s against Arizona and passed for 327 yards. After three games, the Lobos average 433 total yards per contest. The Hornets will have to contend with that high power on both sides of the ball to shut down the Lobos.

“We can play with D-1 schools,” senior defensive end Blaine Jackson said. “We have the athletes and we definitely have the heart. We’re not scared, and we play to win.”

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected].