On the strength of a career best 178 yards rushing from RB Terrance Dailey, The Sacramento State football team was victorious for the second week in a row on Saturday.

With the win over the Idaho State Bengals, the Hornets improve to 2-1 in the Big Sky Conference and 2-3 overall.

After getting out to an early 7-0 lead on a 42-yard run by Dailey to open the game, the Hornets soon found themselves trailing 10-7 as Bengals’ quarterback Russel Hill completed all ten of his first quarter passes.

In the second, the Hornets broke the game open scoring 21 points while holding the Bengals to none. Dailey then ran a 69-yard drive leading to a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Smith to wide receiver Brandyn Reed.

Later on in the second quarter, the Hornets intercepted the Bengals on the next two possessions, returning both for touchdowns. Defensive back Durrell Oliver returned the first one to pay-dirt from 37 yards out followed by fellow defensive back Marquese Smith’s 83 yard pick-6 with 12 seconds to go in the half.

“Turnovers are a result of team defense,” Marquese Smith said. “We stress it in practice. When the D-Line can get pressure on the QB, it helps us jump on routes and when we can defend receivers tightly, it helps the D-Line get sacks. When we play well, it’s because everybody is helping everybody.”

The back-to-back interceptions returned for touchdowns marks the first time the Hornets have scored two defensive touchdowns in a game since September 6th of 2003.

In the third quarter, the Hornets struck first with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Smith to wide receiver Dylan Lane increasing Sac State’s lead to 38-10. Idaho State answered with a 68-yard touchdown drive on the subsequent possession making the score 38-17, which would eventually be the final after both teams were held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Jason Smith ended the day 9-19 with 108 yards and no interceptions as Lane led Hornet receivers with 65 yards on three catches. Sitting out the entire fourth quarter, Dailey ended his day early with 182 total yards despite losing two fumbles.

Running back Sam McCowan gained 52 yards rushing and lost a fumble while the Sac State defense forced a total of three turnovers in the game.

The Hornets will travel to Utah to play against Weber State Oct. 17 at Stewart Stadium.

Stamati Horiates can be reached at [email protected]