The 54th annual Causeway Classic was a game that represented tradition, pride and community throughout the Sacramento region. It also represented a turning point in school history for the Hornet football program – and a sign of hope.

The result ended in a pattern that Hornet games have followed all season – with UC Davis squeaking out a narrow 31-26 victory late in the game. Even with the loss, there were many positive aspects that point to the future and show that Sacramento State football is turning around.

“We had the best crowd in years,” Athletic Director Terry Wanless said. “It is a direct reflection of the job the coaching staff and players are doing. Even though we’re disappointed in the loss, it is exciting to see what is still to come for the Hornets.”

The game’s attendance was listed at 13,073, the most fans at Hornet Stadium since the Causeway Classic in 2003.

“This rivalry is a great atmosphere – it’s special for the communities and it represents college football,” Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck said. “The (victory) was right there. All I can say is the kids gave it their best effort. We have a great bunch of kids.”

Sac State held UC Davis to two net yards rushing on 34 attempts and put up 452 yards of total offense on the Aggie defense – but once again could not overcome turnovers at critical times during the game.

“Our defense was on the field for 88 plays, but we found a will and a way to make plays in the fourth quarter,” UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs said. “Give credit to Sac State. Their defense is as good as any we’ve seen all year. To their credit, they were moving the ball on offense at will during the third quarter.”

Sac State came back from a 16-0 deficit in the second quarter, but could never overcome a one touchdown lead the Aggies managed to hold for the duration of the game.

“They kept coming and coming, and we just kept playing. I think a lot of young guys came up big,” senior UC Davis defensive end James Amos said. “(Sac State) are a better team than their record indicates.”

With the loss, Sac State drops to 1-8, and 1-5 in the Big Sky Conference. The win puts UC Davis at 4-6 for the season and continues the streak of eight straight Causeway Classic wins.

“Our record doesn’t show how hard we work and the high morale we continue to have every week,” sophomore tight end Brian Heath said. “It has been disappointing the past few weeks losing, but the special thing about this team is every Monday- last week doesn’t matter anymore.”

“These guys didn’t give up,” Sperbeck said. “I think the effort level of this team has been outstanding all year. As the game went on, there were so many emotional ups and downs; it was who could sustain it the longest. Davis was able to play more consistent throughout the game.”

Quarterback Jason Smith went 23-52 for 266 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Two of those interceptions came in the final five minutes of the game, a problem that has plagued the Hornets this season.

One of the biggest game-changing plays was in the second quarter when Davis cornerback Adam Cook intercepted Smith’s pass and ran it back 87 yards for an Aggie touchdown.

“There is no one that hurts more than Jason right now,” Sperbeck said. “He’s going through a difficult time as a quarterback. He’s had opportunities to bring the team down the field, but you have to go through hard times before success comes. The mistakes he’s making are situations he’s being thrown into. He wasn’t ready for those situations, but I stand by him 100 percent.”

The momentum of the game really shifted when Davis snapped the ball over the head of the punter Emmanuel Benjamin on the first play of the fourth quarter. Benjamin kicked the ball out of bounds for a safety.

This resulted in a penalty. If the Hornets had accepted the penalty, it would have been Sac State ball deep in Davis territory, with a chance to tie the game.

Instead, Sac State declined the penalty, took the safety, and got two points and the ball. On the ensuing kickoff and drive, the Hornets were stopped at the UC Davis 30, and turned the ball over on downs.

“My thought was we had good momentum- take the two points, as well as get the ball back. It was the best situation at the time,” Sperbeck said.

The Hornets dominated for most of the game and marched all over the field on an Aggie defense that allowed 25 first downs and 186 rushing yards. Freshman running back Bryan Hilliard carried the ball 16 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, both from 28 yards out. Junior Travon Jones had 11 carries for 92 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

Hilliard explained his two 28 yard runs could also be attributed to the help of the offensive line.

“Basically, everyone did their assignment. Everybody executed,” he said. “It was exciting to be able to help the seniors out. I’m from the area, so to actually be able to play in this game was exciting.”

For Sac State, it was costly turnovers and a

couple untimely holding penalties that led to the defeat.

“We knew we would have to keep scoring on offense. They were moving the ball really well,” sophomore UC Davis cornerback Kymm Snowden said. “In a game like this, you gotta keep fighting every play.”

The Hornets go into the next game against a team that has struggled all season, the Northern Colorado Bears. The Bears are currently 1-9 overall and 1-5 in the Big Sky conference. Northern Colorado is last in scoring in the Big Sky, averaging less than 10 points per contest. The Bears also give up the second most points per game, averaging 36.4 points allowed.

“Northern Colorado is in a similar situation to us. Hopefully we can go up there and get a win, come back and finish up well this season,” Sperbeck said. “They are last in offense in the conference, so our defense should have a good day. They have played well on defense lately, but if our offense can not turn it over in the fourth quarter, we should be ok.”

“The game at Weber and the game at Montana State were supposed to be nice days too- it ended up snowing and raining in both of them. We expect snow,” Sperbeck said.

The Hornets will have to contend with Northern Colorado linebacker Cristian Sarmento, who was Big Sky defensive player of the week after a 20-tackle performance against Eastern Washington.

Sac State will take on Northern Colorado at 11 a.m. Saturday in Greeley, Colo.

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected]