The Sacramento State football team got its first home win since Sept. 20 as they defeated Southern Utah by a final score of 42-21 Saturday.

Sac State improved to 5-5 while Southern Utah dropped to 2-8. 

The Hornet offense was back to it’s high-scoring and record-breaking ways, as quarterback Garrett Safron and receiver DeAndre Carter both continued to etch their names into the Sac State record books.

Carter now owns the Sac State single-game records for both receptions and receiving yards as he caught 16 passes for 273 yards against conference foe Thunderbirds, while scoring four touchdowns. He is also the school leader in career receiving scores and ranks second in career receiving yards.

The senior was humbled by the milestone but chose not to bask in the glory.

“Individual statistics aren’t really my thing,” Carter said. “Every personal milestone is dedicated to my little brother, who passed away last summer.”

The outspoken team captain deferred all credit to his quarterback, who was equally impressive in the big win.

“[Safron and I] are always confident, so we just went after them,” Carter said. “Garrett was locked in and dropping dimes for me all night, which makes my job a lot easier.”

Safron was indeed dialed in as he connected on 25-of-33 passes for 425 yards and five touchdowns. His 23 passing touchdowns on the year ranks second in school history, trailing his own record of 27 that he set last season.

Safron took Carter’s compliments and threw them right back his way.

“I’ve got to flip the script on that, and say that it’s actually DeAndre who makes my job easier,” Safron said with a chuckle. “He runs his routes so well and always finds a way to get open.”

“I just get the ball to him and he does the rest,” Safron added.

The Hornets offense was efficient all game, going 8-of-12 on third-down conversions while racking up 294 yards of total offense in the first half alone.

Sac State took a 14-7 lead just four seconds into the second quarter and never looked back in what was an overall dominant effort.

Southern Utah managed only seven points until two late fourth-quarter touchdown receptions from Chris Robinson put them at 21.

The Thunderbirds were also held in check in the run game as their top ball carrier, Raysean Pringle, compiled only 26 yards on eight carries.The Hornets allowed an average of 2.9 yards per carry and linebacker Russell Smith let all players with 16 tackles. Henry Fernandez and safety Dexter Alcala each finished with 12 tackles. 

The Hornets outgained the Thunderbirds in total yards 563-404, while also controlling time of possession with a 33:53 to 26:07 advantage. Their four sacks also tied a season-high. Jaycee Totty racked up two of those sacks.

Sac State coach Jody Sears was thrilled after what he claimed was the team’s most complete performance of the season.

“Great performance after a couple of tough losses,” Sears said. “We didn’t give up any big plays on defense, and that was the difference.”

“Garrett was on, DeAndre was on, and the defense was rock solid,” he added. “I couldn’t be any prouder of these guys.”

The Hornets will look to carry that momentum into their final home game of the year next Saturday Nov. 15 as they host Portland State.