The Sacramento State football season came to a close Saturday, as the Hornets defeated UC Davis by a final score of 41-30 in the 61st Causeway Classic. It was Sac State’s first victory in the annual series since the 2009 season.

The dynamic duo of quarterback Garrett Safron and wide receiver DeAndre Carter shined in what was the last game of their collegiate careers. Safron added another 288 passing yards and four touchdowns to his name, which sits atop the list of nearly every school record at his position. The quarterback took a moment to acknowledge the accomplishment.

“It feels great to be a part of this program for four years and finally get a win over UC Davis,” Safron said. “All of our guys went out there and played great ball.”

Carter accounted for nine receptions with 121 receiving yards and a score. The senior grabbed himself another handful of records against the Aggies as he finished the season with 99 receptions, which is the second most in Big Sky Conference history. He also netted the single-season receiving record with a total of 1,321 yards through the air.

“I’m proud of my team and how we’ve come together over the course of this season,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t have wanted my career to end any other way. Look out for the Hornets in the future.”

Running backs Jordan Robinson and De’Jon Coleman both scored two touchdowns, as the two teams traded scores throughout the first half. Robinson carried 16 times for 66 yards, and Coleman had 11 carries for 55 yards.

“We were just clicking out there,” Robinson said. “Offensively and defensively, it was just an overall solid performance from everyone.”

UCD’s running back Gabe Manzanares led the Aggies’ ground attack with 23 carries for 161 yards. His 8-yard touchdown reception tied the game up at 20 before halftime.

Sac State came out strong, outscoring the Aggies 21-10 in the second half and forcing five turnovers. Linebacker Henry Fernandez led the Hornets’ defense with a career-high 15 tackles, none bigger than his stop of Manzanares for a no-gain on a 4th-and-1 play with less than five minutes into the game.

“I’m extremely proud of these guys and our program as a whole,” Fernandez said. “It’s awesome to go out like this, with everyone just clicking on all cylinders. It’s a good example of what kind of team we are.”

Defensive lineman Ben Cowger, also a senior, had a highlight play of his own in the fourth quarter. After the Hornets returned the ball on downs, Cowger intercepted UCD quarterback Ben Scott’s screen pass to seal the victory.

“Everything we’ve been working for just came together at the end of the game,” Cowger said. “I can’t describe the feeling, just an incredible win. Winning a Causeway Classic meant everything to us seniors and I’m so glad we got it done.”

Coach Jody Sears was impressed by the performances of both teams.

“That ground game had us up all night, all week,” Sears said. “[Manzaneres] is quite a running back, but we just stuck to the course. We were able to avoid giving up big plays, and we got some huge turnovers when we needed them.”

Sears concludes his first season as head coach at Sac State with a 7-5 record, the program’s best finish since the 2000 season.

“The resiliency of our players and the commitment they have for each other is what got us here,” Sears said. “The trust and leadership on this team, combined with how hard they work, is what will continue to achieve us success.”

Although the team will have a tough task of replacing many of its impact players next season, the graduating seniors are confident that the program is in good hands.

“We’ve all grown a lot together,” Safron said. “I have a lot of confidence in all of these guys going forward, and I think they have a bright future. It’s been an honor to help lay some of the foundation.”