After a 38-9 home route of Northern Arizona, the Hornet football team is ready to face off with another Big Sky opponent in the Weber State Wildcats.

This will be the third Big Sky game for both teams, Weber State is (0-2) in the Big Sky, having lost to 13th ranked Montana St. and the number one ranked team in Division 1-AA, Montana, dropping Weber State to (0-4) overall.

Last week it looked like the Wildcats were about to score and tie Montana; driving to the seven yard line with a couple minutes left. Instead, the Wildcats shot themselves in the foot, racking up 45 yards in penalties to put them back on their own 48 and eventually lose the game 18-10.

“They’ve had some tough games,” said Coach Marshall Sperbeck. “They’ve played close and almost won. They’re struggling a little bit, and are in the same situation as we just were- I hope they don’t figure it out this week against us.”

The Hornets are (1-1) in the Big Sky and (1-3) overall, and with a win can pull to 2-1 in the conference and be in good position going into homecoming against the University of Montana Grizzlies (4-0).

“It’s important for our team to understand, we have a lot of games left to play,” said Sperbeck. “We have to come out ready to play against Weber State and put out even better effort in practice this week.”

Last year, the Hornets beat Weber State at Hornet Stadium, 24-21. In 2005, Sac. State traveled to Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah, and the Wildcats prevailed 26-14.

The Hornets will have to pull out of their slump on the road, losing four straight dating back to last November when UC Davis won the Causeway Classic 30-16. The win last week at home is a sign of change; and things to come with Sac. State football.

“When we come out onto the field, everyone is focused,” said senior defensive lineman Blaine Jackson. “Last year some guys didn’t want to put in the effort, but this year if someone is slacking off, we get on ’em and let them know about it.”

The Hornets last week held Northern Arizona’s explosive offense to only 187 total yards and nine first downs. At the same time Sac. State put up 38 points and 422 yards of total offense.

“We were able to bury them,” said Sperbeck. “Against Portland St. it was a learning experience, we weren’t able to finish the game. At that point in the season we didn’t know how to deliver that knockout punch- but as we learn that we’re going to be much more successful.”

It was a big day for two unsung players thus far this season. Freshman walk-on wide receiver Dylan Lane and running back Bryan Hilliard both scored their first touchdowns of their career. Lane scored on a 19-yard pass from Jason Smith and Hilliard had a nine yard run to give him 20 carries for 100 yards on the day.

“I was just caught up in the adrenaline,” said Lane. “I didn’t even really have time to think about it, I just got back into the huddle.”

Lane also said it was his dream to play college football. He is happy to be playing and thankful that Sac. State has given him the opportunity.

“We’re going to play guys that work hard and are coachable,” said Sperbeck. “We always tell the kids, “be coachable”. When practice really means something, anyone can step up and make a difference.”

In light of his great game against Northern Arizona, Cyrus Mulitalo was named Big Sky co-defensive player of the week. Mulitalo had a sack, a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, and nine tackles, three of which were solo.

The Hornets must maintain that same momentum and fire from last week going into Saturday’s game in Ogden.

“Last game was the start of something special,” said Sperbeck. “Now we just have to build on it one game at a time.”

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected].