The Sacramento State football team looks to bounce back from last week’s loss against No. 4 Montana State University Bobcats when it takes on the winless University of Northern Colorado Bears on Saturday.

In last year’s matchup, the Hornets dominated the Bears 42-7. Senior running back Bryan Hilliard led the way with 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Hornets. Senior quarterback Jeff Fleming added in two passing touchdowns and the Hornets defense came up with touchdowns on a fumble and blocked punt.

The Bears (0-5, 0-3 Big Sky) are hungry for a win after they fell to the University of Montana last weekend 55-28. Dating back to last season, the Bears have lost 12 of their last 13 games.

Bears sophomore quarterback Seth Lobato has thrown for 783 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions this season. Sophomore running back Quintin Hildreth is averaging only 40.4 yards per game, which indicates the Bears are a pass heavy offense.

Since the Bears joined the Big Sky Conference in 2006, the Hornets (2-3, 1-2 Big Sky) are undefeated against them with five wins.

Fleming thinks this is a big game for the Hornets and a much-needed win.

“This game is huge. Any single game from this point on is a huge game for us,” Fleming said. “This is our Super Bowl this week. We have to go into this game 100 percent invested and play our hearts out.”

Through the first five games, Fleming has 1,009 yards passing with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for two touchdowns along with Hilliard and junior backup running back Sam McCowan who have added in six rushing touchdowns as well. Senior wide receivers Chase Deadder and Brandyn Reed have accounted for all eight receiving touchdowns.

Head coach Marshall Sperbeck said that each week has its own schedule and way of being approached.

“Playing on the road, it takes on a different set of challenges as you go through the week. You get use to it as you go through the season,” Sperbeck said.

This year’s game will be played at Nottingham Field in Greeley, Colo., which is 4,658 feet above sea level, which is 25 feet above sea level. Fleming said the thinner air would make things a little tougher physically.

Kickoff is at 12:35 p.m. and the game can be heard on Classic 93.1 FM or KAHI 950 AM.

Josh Stanley can be reached at [email protected].