History will be on the line for the Sacramento State football team when it hosts rival UC Davis in the 64th annual Causeway Classic on Saturday.

If the Hornets (6-4, 5-2 Big Sky Conference) defeat UC Davis for just the second time in seven years, they’ll accomplish the most league wins in the program’s 21-year history in the Big Sky. However, Sac State players have a different historic achievement in mind — they want to make it into the postseason for the first time as a Division I team.

“I think (we’re not finished, and we have an unsatisfied mentality) this year,” Sac State junior cornerback Dre Terrell said. “Not good enough, always trying to reach that next level and take that next step. To come out here and compete and hopefully get that (playoff) bid will be big for us.”

To do this, the Hornets’ defense — which ranks third in yards allowed (382.9) and fourth in points allowed (28) in the conference — must first try to contain a UC Davis (5-5, 3-4 Big Sky) offense that is ranked second in the 124-team Football Championship Subdivision with 350.6 passing yards a game.

The leader of this air attack is sophomore quarterback Jake Maier, who is ranked third in the FCS in passing yards. Through 10 games, Maier has completed 275-of-393 passes for 3,344 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, which has caught the attention of Sac State head coach Jody Sears.

“Jake is really good because he gets the ball out of his hand (quickly), he knows where he’s going with the ball, he’s very well schooled in the fundamentals and he doesn’t take a lot of hits,” Sears said. “And then going against the best receiver in the country is going to be a huge challenge. We’ve got to know where (junior receiver Keelan Doss is) at on the field at all times.”

Doss, who ranks first in the nation with 1,326 receiving yards and 102 receptions, can usually be found running past opposing defenders on his way to the end zone. Terrell is aware of the statistics and will be one of the main cornerbacks who will try his hand at standing in Doss’ way.

“(Doss is) the best receiver in our conference, hands down,” Terrell said. “(He’s) tall, lengthy, a smart player with good hands, plays the ball well, runs good routes. He has everything you need in a receiver, so we’re just trying to contain him.”

One way the Hornets can limit Maier and Doss is with a consistent rushing attack that keeps the Aggies offense off the field and controls the clock, Sears said. Sac State figures to have this, as it enters the game with the third-leading rushing offense (216.9 yards per game) in the conference, which features four different players who have posted over 100 yards in a single game.

However, history hasn’t been on the Hornets’ side as they’re 1-5 against UC Davis in the last six games and have a 19-45 all-time record against the Aggies dating back to 1954. Sac State senior receiver Isiah Hennie has been with the team for three of those last six games, and it’s something he said holds a lot of significance.

“I’ve talked to a lot of alumni, and alumni take this game very serious too,” Hennie said. “It’s a sense of pride, you’re always playing for pride and usually, for the last two seasons, we’ve come off bad seasons. So there is a little more added incentive in this game.”

Motivation can also be found for a Sac State team that is looking for a postseason berth for the first time since 1988 when it played Division II football. To do so, the Hornets will be competing for one of the 24 FCS playoff spots, which are awarded to the 10 conference winners and 14 other schools.

The selections will be finalized Sunday at 8 a.m. where factors such as win-loss record, quality of wins and strength of schedule are weighed, Sac State Assistant Athletic Director Brian Berger said.

The Hornets, which are 4-1 at home this season, will play UC Davis at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hornet Stadium.