2023 Sacramento State Hornets football team explained
| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Sacramento State Hornets |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Sky Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Sky |
| Statsrank: | 13 |
| Fcscoachrank: | 15 |
| Record: | 8–5 |
| Conf Record: | 4–4 |
| Head Coach: | Andy Thompson |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Bobby Fresques |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division I Second Round |
| Bowl Result: |
L 24–34 vs. South Dakota |
The 2023 Sacramento State Hornets football team represented California State University, Sacramento as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach Andy Thompson, the Hornets played home games at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.
Previously the Hornets' defensive coordinator for four seasons under Troy Taylor, Thompson was promoted in December 2022 after Taylor left for Stanford University.[1]
Preseason
Polls
On July 23, 2023, during the virtual Big Sky Kickoff, the Hornets were predicted to finish third in the Big Sky by the coaches and fourth by the media.[2]
Coaches poll| 1 | Montana State | 120 (10) |
| 2 | UC Davis | 96 (1) |
| 3 | Sacramento State | 94 (1) |
| 4 | Weber State | 91 |
| 5 | Idaho | 89 |
| 6 | Montana | 84 |
| 7 | Eastern Washington | 52 |
| 8 | Portland State | 45 |
| 9 | Northern Arizona | 44 |
| 10 | Northern Colorado | 37 |
| 11 | Cal Poly | 25 |
| 12 | Idaho State | 15 | |
Media poll| 1 | Montana State | 447 (26) |
| 2 | Idaho | 410 (8) |
| 3 | Montana | 359 (2) |
| 4 | Sacramento State | 334 (3) |
| 5 | UC Davis | 330 |
| 6 | Weber State | 320 |
| 7 | Eastern Washington | 216 |
| 8 | Northern Arizona | 178 |
| 9 | Portland State | 167 |
| 10 | Northern Colorado | 109 |
| 11 | Cal Poly | 103 |
| 12 | Idaho State | 69 | |
Schedule
[3] [4]
Game summaries
at Nicholls
See also: 2023 Nicholls Colonels football team.
| Statistics | SAC | NICH |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 18 |
| Total yards | 441 | 293 |
| Rushing yards | 185 | 97 |
| Passing yards | 256 | 196 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–27–1 | 15–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 33:11 | 26:49 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 11/16, 221 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 19 carries, 71 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Devin Gandy | 3 receptions, 82 yards |
| Nicholls | Passing | Pat McQuaide | 15/29, 196 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Collin Guggenheim | 16 carries, 74 yards |
| Receiving | Terry Matthews | 1 reception, 84 yards | |
Texas A&M–Commerce
| Statistics | TAMC | SAC |
|---|
| First downs | 13 | 28 |
| Total yards | 216 | 503 |
| Rushing yards | 144 | 311 |
| Passing yards | 72 | 192 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–27–1 | 17–26–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:08 | 30:52 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas A&M–Commerce | Passing | Peter Parrish | 12/25, 63 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Reggie Branch | 14 carries, 65 yards |
| Receiving | Micaelous Elder | 6 receptions, 33 yards |
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 14/22, 176 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | 10 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Coleman Kuntz | 4 receptions, 68 yards |
|
at Stanford
See also: 2023 Stanford Cardinal football team.
| Statistics | SAC | STAN |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 18 |
| Total yards | 448 | 387 |
| Rushing yards | 169 | 180 |
| Passing yards | 279 | 207 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–33–2 | 11–24–2 |
| Time of possession | 30:57 | 29:03 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 21/33, 279 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | 13 carries, 100 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Devin Gandy | 5 receptions, 64 yards |
| Stanford | Passing | Justin Lamson | 7/17, 138 yards, INT |
| Rushing | | 9 carries, 71 yards |
| Receiving | | 4 receptions, 89 yards, TD |
|
at No. 7 Idaho
See also: 2023 Idaho Vandals football team.
| Statistics | SAC | IDHO |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 21 |
| Total yards | 305 | 412 |
| Rushing yards | 69 | 178 |
| Passing yards | 236 | 234 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–29–0 | 15–21–0 |
| Time of possession | 21:21 | 38:39 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 15/29, 236 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 10 carries, 44 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Jared Gipson | 3 receptions, 91 yards |
| Idaho | Passing | | 15/21, 234 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | | 24 carries, 117 yards, TD |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 72 yards |
|
Northern Arizona
See also: 2023 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team.
| Statistics | NAU | SAC |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 25 |
| Total yards | 450 | 418 |
| Rushing yards | 195 | 161 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 257 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–34–1 | 18–27–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:13 | 29:47 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Northern Arizona | Passing | Adam Damante | 23/33, 196 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Devon Starling | 21 carries, 117 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Elijah Taylor | 2 receptions, 73 yards |
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 18/27, 257 yards, TD |
| Rushing | 22 carries, 76 yards |
| Receiving | Jared Gipson | 5 receptions, 108 yards |
|
at Northern Colorado
See also: 2023 Northern Colorado Bears football team.
| Statistics | SAC | UNC |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 17 |
| Total yards | 334 | 332 |
| Rushing yards | 151 | 75 |
| Passing yards | 183 | 257 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 25–31–0 | 20–39–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:57 | 29:03 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 25/31, 183 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Ezra Moleni | 16 carries, 93 yards |
| Receiving | Marshel Martin | 7 receptions, 52 yards |
| Northern Colorado | Passing | | 20/39, 257 yards, TD |
| Rushing | David Afari | 10 carries, 36 yards |
| Receiving | Brayden Munroe | 3 receptions, 66 yards, TD |
|
No. 2 Montana State
See also: 2023 Montana State Bobcats football team.
| Statistics | MTST | SAC |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 25 |
| Total yards | 448 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | 328 | 200 |
| Passing yards | 120 | 234 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 10–16–1 | 26–42–2 |
| Time of possession | 32:40 | 27:20 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Montana State | Passing | | 9/14, 99 yards |
| Rushing | Julius Davis | 12 carries, 110 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Ty McCullough | 4 receptions, 53 yards, TD |
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 26/42, 234 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Elijah Tau-Tolliver | 8 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Devin Gandy | 5 receptions, 59 yards, TD |
|
Idaho State
See also: 2023 Idaho State Bengals football team.
| Statistics | ISU | SAC |
|---|
| First downs | 16 | 26 |
| Total yards | 334 | 587 |
| Rushing yards | 42 | 273 |
| Passing yards | 292 | 314 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 30–56–4 | 21–32–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:55 | 35:05 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Idaho State | Passing | Hunter Hays | 17/31, 193 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | 7 carries, 22 yards |
| Receiving | Chedon James | 10 receptions, 77 yards, TD |
| Sacramento State | Passing | Carson Conklin | 14/21, 235 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Zeke Burnett | 9 carries, 143 yards |
| Receiving | Marshel Martin | 6 receptions, 103 yards, TD |
|
at No. 4 Montana
See also: 2023 Montana Grizzlies football team.
| Statistics | SAC | MONT |
|---|
| First downs | 17 | 21 |
| Total yards | 268 | 547 |
| Rushing yards | 149 | 305 |
| Passing yards | 119 | 242 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–39–0 | 12–22–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:19 | 35:41 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Carson Conklin | 7/22, 67 yards |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 11 carries, 87 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Carlos Hill | 4 receptions, 53 yards |
| Montana | Passing | Clifton McDowell | 11/21, 218 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Eli Gillman | 16 carries, 113 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Keelan White | 2 receptions, 103 yards, TD |
|
Cal Poly
See also: 2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football team.
| Statistics | CP | SAC |
|---|
| First downs | 24 | 23 |
| Total yards | 539 | 538 |
| Rushing yards | 45 | 225 |
| Passing yards | 494 | 313 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 38–59–2 | 17–26–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:37 | 30:23 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Cal Poly | Passing | | 37/58, 483 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Paul Holyfield Jr. | 7 carries, 27 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Michael Briscoe | 3 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD |
| Sacramento State | Passing | Carson Conklin | 17/26, 313 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 20 carries, 121 yards |
| Receiving | Jared Gipson | 5 receptions, 154 yards |
|
at UC Davis
See also: 2023 UC Davis Aggies football team and Causeway Classic.
| Statistics | SAC | UCD |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 17 |
| Total yards | 388 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 27 | 133 |
| Passing yards | 361 | 175 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 32–53–2 | 16–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:07 | 31:53 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 19/28, 232 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 10 carries, 23 yards |
| Receiving | Carlos Hill | 10 receptions, 144 yards, TD |
| UC Davis | Passing | Miles Hastings | 16/23, 175 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Lan Larison | 28 carries, 121 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | 3 receptions, 54 yards, TD |
|
FCS Playoffs
at No. 12 North Dakota – First Round
See also: 2023 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team and 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season.
| Statistics | SAC | UND |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 21 |
| Total yards | 458 | 358 |
| Rushing yards | 244 | 221 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 137 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18–23–0 | 11–18–1 |
| Time of possession | 26:36 | 33:24 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Kaiden Bennett | 17/22, 207 yards, TD |
| Rushing | 13 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Anderson Grover | 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD |
| North Dakota | Passing | Tommy Schuster | 11/17, 137 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Gaven Ziebarth | 18 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Bo Belquist | 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD |
|
at No. 3 South Dakota – Second Round
See also: 2023 South Dakota Coyotes football team and 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season.
| Statistics | SAC | USD |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 350 | 368 |
| Rushing yards | 148 | 194 |
| Passing yards | 202 | 174 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–30–1 | 11–17–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:13 | 32:47 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Sacramento State | Passing | Carson Camp | 14/23, 168 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Marcus Fulcher | 13 carries, 67 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Anderson Grover | 3 receptions, 79 yards |
| South Dakota | Passing | Aidan Bouman | 11/16, 174 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Charles Pierre Jr. | 13 carries, 123 yards |
| Receiving | JJ Galbreath | 1 reception, 75 yards, TD |
|
Ranking movements
See also: 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings.
Notes and References
- Web site: Dapper . Michelle . December 16, 2022 . Sacramento State football welcomes Andy Thompson as new head coach . September 13, 2023 . . en.
- Web site: Montana State Tabbed Preseason Football Favorites. July 23, 2023. July 26, 2023.
- Web site: 2023 Sacramento State Football Schedule . FBSchedules . 20 April 2023.
- Web site: 2023 Football Schedule - Sacramento State . Sacramento State Athletics . 20 April 2023.
