As the Hornets finished the season 3-8, and 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference, it was an optimistic end to a season that could have easily been an 8-3 or 7-4 campaign.

“I certainly wasn’t satisfied with our record,” head coach Marshall Sperbeck said. “There were a lot of positive things the last two weeks – a two game win streak is huge for next year.”

The Hornets had 15 All-Big Sky selections this season, nine of those on defense – three of which were 1st team selections. Senior defensive lineman Dallas Mauga was a second team selection last year and led the defensive line in tackles this season with 43, eight for a loss and one sack.

Junior linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo was selected as a second team selection last year as well – but made the first team this year and led the Hornets in tackles with 98. Mulitalo also had 13.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks.

Junior Mike Brannon was also selected to the first team. The former defensive lineman was third on the team and tenth in the Big Sky in tackles with 81. Brannon also led the team in sacks with 9.5 (third in the Big Sky) and tackles for a loss with 18 (second in the Big Sky).

Other honorable mention selections on defense were senior defensive end Blaine Jackson, who ended the season with 39 tackles, 9.5 for a loss and three sacks. Junior linebacker Mike Hickman finished 66 tackles, good enough for fifth on the team.

Senior safeties Brett Shelton and Brent Webber were also chosen to the All-Conference team for the fourth consecutive year. Shelton finished the season second on the team and seventh in the Big Sky in tackles with 88. Webber finished the season fourth on the team in tackles and 18th in the Big Sky. He was also fifth in the Big Sky in passes defended with 10 and one interception.

Senior cornerback Jody Johnson was chosen as honorable mention to the All-Big Sky team as a kick return specialist. Johnson averaged 24.2 yards per kickoff return. Johnson was also seventh in the Big Sky in passes defended with eight and one interception.

On offense, there were no first or second team selections, but there were six honorable mention selections.

Senior wide receivers Ryan Coogler and junior Tony Washington made the team as honorable mention selections. Coogler led the team with 38 receptions for 507 yards and three touchdowns. Washington was second on the team with 29 receptions for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

On the offensive line there were three selections. Senior center Kyle Leitzke, sophomore guard Matt Lemley and junior tackle Ray Navar.

Freshman running back Bryan Hilliard was also chosen as an honorable mention. Hilliard led the team with 826 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He was fourth in the conference in rushing, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Junior running back Travon Jones didn’t make the all-conference team, but had a stellar season, finishing ninth in the conference with 734 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hornets lose nine starters on defense, but only two on offense. It will be an off – season of heavy recruiting with 22 scholarships to play with.

“Recruiting is going well,” Sperbeck said. “Last year, I only had two to three weeks to recruit. It’s huge to be able to recruit here in California. Our primary recruiting area is 200 miles around the area. We should be able to go out and win that battle.”

Sperbeck said that the recruiting battle should be fairly easy to win in that Sacramento is the only Big Sky team in California, and the only university in the Big Sky in a metropolitan area. Sperbeck said the team would focus on recruiting a new d-line, since there will be 4 or 5 players lost to eligibility. The next area of concern will be defensive backs, in which the Hornets lost three starters.

“We have to replenish the defense,” Sperbeck said. “We want a balanced class. We’d like to build the program and get some young guys in now.”

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected]