For the first time since the program’s 2000 season, the Hornets football team finished with a final record of 7-5 as they defeated their rival UC Davis in the 61st Causeway Classic on Nov. 22. This is a significant improvement from their 5-7 finish from the 2013 season.

The Hornets also had 14 players earn All-Big Sky Conference honors, with six of them being named to the first or sec- ond team. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter was named to the first team after leading the conference with 99 receptions for 1,321 yards and 17 touchdowns. His achievements also set Sac- ramento State’s single-season records.

“I’m blessed and humbled to be respected by the coaches around our conference,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t have been able to have the type of season that I had without my teammates and my coaching staff, and I just want to thank them for putting me in the position to receive this honor.”

Kicker Brad Cornish also earned first-team honors while leading the conference in field goal accuracy, going 14-of-17 and tying the school single-season record for field goals made. Sac State’s wide receiver Nnam- di Agude, quarterback Garrett Safron, linebacker Darnell Sankey and defensive lineman Jaycee Totty were all named to the second team.

Sankey broke out in a big way in his junior season, compiling 99 tackles while averaging 11 per game before he sustained a knee injury against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Oct. 18. He was credited with eight tackles for loss and one defensive touch- down, while also scoring twice as a ball carrier on offense. The junior said the team’s improvement was accomplished through a well-balanced game plan.

“We just tried to win the battles in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams,” Sankey said. “Towards the end of the season, I started noticing that we were not only connecting as a team, but as men, and that was the factor that allowed us to prevail.”

The program had been met with several challenges in the past year, most notably when news broke of the unanticipated resignation of former coach Marshall Sperbeck in April. Sperbeck’s tenure at Sac State was relatively unsuccessful, as he compiled a 35-44 record over seven seasons.

Jody Sears, who was hired as defensive coordinator in January, stepped in as head coach upon Sperbeck’s departure. The former Weber State coach took a simple approach in guiding a team that was still in shock from the sudden resignation.

“I’m honored to be able to coach these guys,” Sears said. “But their performance on the field is a testament to their own resiliency and dedication to this team. Regardless of who’s coaching them, I know every player on this team is commit-ted to riding for the brand.” One of several signature phrases in Hornets football this season was “ride for the brand”, which served as a way for the team to commemorate the strong camaraderie between teammates and their selfless approach to the game.

Part of Sears’ approach to stepping in and leading the team was instilling a teammate-centered culture where support and encouragement serve as pillars, while personal accolades mean

little. He relied heavily on the maturity and leadership of his experienced seniors, including linebacker Henry Fernandez.

“Our improvement this sea- son was all about riding for the brand,” Fernandez said. “Coach Sears asked us what kind of legacy we want to leave after this year. We all got together and knew that we needed each other to reach our goals and turn things around.”

The concept certainly worked down the stretch, as the Hornets won three straight games to end the season. A potent offense, led by the record-breaking duo Safron and Carter, averaged 481.7 yards and 38.2 points per game. The defense kept the Hornets in several close games while com- piling 20 sacks, 11 interceptions and recovering nine fumbles.

Although the team will be losing many of its top produc- ers in Safron, Carter, Fernandez, and Totty, several key players will return for the 2015 season in hopes of continuing to excel the program.

The offense will be returning running back Jordan Robinson, who ran for 862 yards and five

scores in his sophomore season. Junior wide receiver Agude will also be on hand; in 2014 he hauled in 1,156 yards with 10 touchdowns through the air, and will likely be the top target in his senior season.

“This program is definitely headed in the right direction and will continue to get better,” Robinson said. “The seniors and coaches helped show us the right way to play, so hopefully next year we can go out and win even more.”