The 2025 Sacramento State Hornets football team represented California State University, Sacramento during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Big Sky Conference. They were led by Brennan Marion in his first and only season as head coach and played their home games at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.
A realignment to the FBS was announced in 2025, but the NCAA Football Oversight Committee denied a recommendation ahead of a Division I Council vote.[2] The vote later officially denied the waiver.[3] In February 2026, it was announced that the Hornets would join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at the FBS level as a football-only member beginning with the 2026 season.[4][5]
The Sacramento State Hornets drew an average home attendance of 15,468, the 10th-highest of all NCAA Division I FCS football teams.[6]
Offseason
Transfers
Outgoing
Incoming
[7][8][9][10][11]
Coaching staff additions
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| August 30 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 3 South Dakota State* | No. 15 | | ESPN+ | L 3–20 | 19,163 |
| September 6 | 2:00 p.m. | at Nevada* | No. 18 | | KNSN-TV | L 17–20 | 20,535 |
| September 13 | 6:00 p.m. | Mercyhurst* | No. 21 | | ESPN+ | W 49–28 | 12,231 |
| September 20 | 6:00 p.m. | Central Arkansas* | No. 24 | - Hornet Stadium
- Sacramento, CA
| ESPN+ | W 45–16 | 13,253 |
| September 27 | 6:00 p.m. | Cal Poly | No. 21 | - Hornet Stadium
- Sacramento, CA
| ESPN+ | L 24–32 | 15,016 |
| October 11 | 5:00 p.m. | at Weber State | | | ESPN+ | W 55–27 | 2,126 |
| October 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Northern Colorado | | - Hornet Stadium
- Sacramento, CA
| ESPN+ | W 40–35 | 20,022 |
| 7:30 p.m. | No. 4 Montana | | - Hornet Stadium
- Sacramento, CA
| ESPN2 | L 35–49 | 16,816 |
| November 1 | 1:00 p.m. | at Eastern Washington | | | ESPN+ | W 35–13 | 4,356 |
| November 8 | 2:00 p.m. | at Portland State | | | ESPN+ | W 52–24 | 1,284 |
| November 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Idaho | | - Hornet Stadium
- Sacramento, CA
| ESPN+ | W 23–20 | 15,467 |
| November 22 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 15 UC Davis | | | ESPN+ | L 27–31 | 14,590 |
|
[14]
Game summaries
at No. 3 South Dakota State
No. 15 Sacramento State Hornets (0-0) at No. 3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (0-0) – Game summary
at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD
- Date: August 30
- Game time: 4:00 PM PDT
- Game attendance: 19,163
- Referee: Gregory Gompf
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Tyler Merriam (play-by-play) and Kurtiss Riggs (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- SDST – Eli Stader 22-yard field goal, 8:11. Jackrabbits 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:52.
- SAC – Grant Meadors 36-yard field goal, 5:18. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:52.
- Second quarter
- SDST – Andrew Gustad 4-yard pass from Chase Mason (Eli Stader kick), 12:38. Jackrabbits 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:34.
- SDST – Lofton O'Groske 3-yard run (Eli Stader kick), 3:51. Jackrabbits 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:54.
- Third quarter
No scoring plays.
- Fourth quarter
- SDST – Eli Stader 28-yard field goal, 2:27. Jackrabbits 20–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 5:13.
|
| Statistics |
SAC |
SDST
|
| First downs |
7 |
28
|
| Total yards |
131 |
430
|
| Rushes–yards |
24–24 |
56–240
|
| Passing yards |
107 |
190
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
11–27–1 |
17–23–0
|
| Turnovers |
2 |
2
|
| Time of possession |
18:54 |
41:06
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
Jaden Rashada |
11/27, 107 yards, INT
|
| Rushing |
Rodney Hammond Jr. |
6 carries, 12 yards
|
| Receiving |
Jordan Anderson |
4 receptions, 49 yards
|
| South Dakota State |
Passing |
Chase Mason |
17/23, 190 yards, TD
|
| Rushing |
Julius Loughridge |
22 carries, 159 yards
|
| Receiving |
Lofton O'Groske |
5 receptions, 76 yards
|
at Nevada (FBS)
No. 18 Sacramento State Hornets (0–1) at Nevada Wolf Pack (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary
at Mackay Stadium • Reno, NV
- Date: September 6, 2025
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. PDT
- Game attendance: 20,535
- Referee: Brad Carrell
- TV announcers (KNSN-TV): Alex Marguiles (play-by-play), Lucas Weber (analyst) and Shannon Kelly (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- SAC – Rodney Hammond Jr. 5-yard run (Grant Meadors kick), 10:55. Hornets 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:05.
- Second quarter
- SAC – Grant Meadors 35-yard field goal, 13:04. Hornets 10–0. Drive: 16 plays, 81 yards, 7:59.
- NEV – Joe McFadden 37-yard field goal, 7:17. Hornets 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:47.
- NEV – Chubba Purdy 3-yard run (Joe McFadden kick), 1:02. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 2:51.
- SAC – Ernest Campbell 75-yard pass from Cardell Williams (Grant Meadors kick), 0:53. Hornets 17–10. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:09.
- NEV – Joe McFadden 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Hornets 17–13. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 0:53.
- Third quarter
No scoring plays.
- Fourth quarter
- NEV – Jonathan Maldonado 36-yard interception return (Joe McFadden kick), 2:17. Wolf Pack 20–17.
|
| Statistics |
SAC |
NEV
|
| First downs |
15 |
23
|
| Total yards |
371 |
413
|
| Rushes–yards |
41–146 |
48–269
|
| Passing yards |
225 |
144
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
14–19–1 |
12–21–2
|
| Turnovers |
1 |
2
|
| Time of possession |
27:14 |
32:42
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
Cardell Williams |
11/13, 158 yards, TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Jamar Curtis |
8 carries, 37 yards
|
| Receiving |
Ernest Campbell |
3 receptions, 89 yards, TD
|
| Nevada |
Passing |
Chubba Purdy |
12/21, 144 yards, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
Chubba Purdy |
21 carries, 115 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Marcus Bellon |
2 receptions, 59 yards
|
Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst Lakers (1-1) at No. 21 Sacramento State Hornets (0-2) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
- Date: September 13
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
- Game attendance: 12,231
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
| Statistics |
MERC |
SAC
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Mercyhurst |
Passing |
Adam Urena |
27/44, 280 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
Brian Trobel |
10 carries, 62 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Joe Kerbacher |
4 receptions, 61 yards
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
Cardell Williams |
8/17, 176 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Damian Henderson II |
12 carries, 98 yards, 3 TD
|
| Receiving |
Ernest Campbell |
2 receptions, 78 yards, TD
|
Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas Bears (1-2) at No. 24 Sacramento State Hornets (1-2) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
- Date: September 20
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
| Statistics |
CARK |
SAC
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Central Arkansas |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
Cal Poly
Cal Poly Mustangs (2-2) vs. No. 21 Sacramento State Hornets (2-2) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
- Date: September 27
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SW at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h)
- Game attendance: 15,016
- Referee: Kelly Holman
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- SAC – Sam Adams II 23-yard pass from Rodney Hammond Jr. (Grant Meadors kick), 11:47. Hornets 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:13.
- CP – Brian Dukes Jr. 23-yard interception return (Tyrei Washington run), 6:59. Mustangs 8–7.
- CP – Jordan Garrison 55-yard pass from Bo Kelly (Noah Serna kick), 3:44. Mustangs 15–7. Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards, 1:04.
- CP – Gianluca Dimauro 27-yard field goal, 0:56. Mustangs 18–7. Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 2:18.
- Second quarter
- SAC – Ernest Campbell 62-yard pass from Cardell Williams (Grant Meadors kick), 14:52. Mustangs 18–14. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:56.
- SAC – Cardell Williams 15-yard run (Grant Meadors kick), 5:18. Hornets 21–18. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:12.
- CP – Tyrei Washington 1-yard run (Noah Serna kick), 2:06. Mustangs 25–21. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:12.
- Third quarter
- CP – Jordan Garrison 5-yard pass from Bo Kelly (Noah Serna kick), 5:46. Mustangs 32–21. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:47.
- Fourth quarter
- SAC – Grant Meadors 30-yard field goal, 12:54. Mustangs 32–24. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 3:36.
|
| Statistics |
CP |
SAC
|
| First downs |
17 |
20
|
| Total yards |
381 |
426
|
| Rushing yards |
178 |
230
|
| Passing yards |
203 |
196
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
17–27–0 |
12–31–3
|
| Time of possession |
31:42 |
28:18
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Cal Poly |
Passing |
Bo Kelly |
17/27, 203 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Tyrei Washington |
22 rushes, 113 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Jordan Garrison |
4 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TD
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
Cardell Williams |
10/24, 164 yards, TD, 3 INT
|
| Rushing |
Rodney Hammond Jr. |
19 rushes, 105 yards
|
| Receiving |
Ernest Campbell |
3 receptions, 91 yards, TD
|
at Weber State
Sacramento State Hornets (2-3) vs. Weber State Wildcats (2-3) – Game summary
at Stewart Stadium • Ogden, UT
- Date: October 11
- Game time: 5:00 p.m. PDT
- TV: ESPN+
| Statistics |
SAC |
WEB
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Weber State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
Northern Colorado
Northern Colorado Bears (3-3) vs. Sacramento State Hornets (3-3) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
| Statistics |
UNCO |
SAC
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Northern Colorado |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
No. 4 Montana
No. 4 Montana Grizzlies (7-0) vs. Sacramento State Hornets (4-3) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
- Date: October 24
- Game time: 6:30 PM PDT
- Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: SW at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
- Game attendance: 16,816
- Referee: Gregg Wilson
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Darius Walker (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (5:04) SAC – Rodney Hammond Jr. 7-yard run, Grant Meadors kick (Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 6:41; Sacramento State 7–0)
- (1:22) MONT – Brooks Davis 24-yard pass from Keali'i Ah Yat, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:33; Tied 7–7)
- Second Quarter
- (14:50) SAC – Ernest Campbell 63-yard pass from Cardell Williams, Grant Meadors kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:32; Sacramento State 14–7)
- (12:46) MONT – Michael Wortham 64-yard pass from Keali'i Ah Yat, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:57; Tied 14–14)
- (7:24) MONT – Michael Wortham 27-yard run, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:03; Montana 21–14)
- (4:16) SAC – Rodney Hammond Jr. 6-yard run, Grant Meadors kick (Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:59; Tied 21–21)
- (1:00) MONT – Eli Gillman 13-yard run, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 0:43; Montana 28–21)
- Third Quarter
- (10:18) MONT – Evan Shafer 11-yard pass from Keali'i Ah Yat, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:42; Montana 35–21)
- Fourth Quarter
- (13:12) MONT – Michael Wortham 15-yard run, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:58; Montana 42–21)
- (4:17) SAC – Cardell Williams 17-yard run, Grant Meadors kick (Drive: 14 plays, 87 yards, 5:20; Montana 42–28)
- (1:45) MONT – Malae Fonoti 4-yard run, Ty Morrison kick (Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:05; Montana 49–28)
- (0:15) SAC – Cardell Williams 18-yard run, Grant Meadors kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:30; Montana 49–35)
|
| Statistics |
MONT |
SAC
|
| First downs |
18 |
24
|
| Total yards |
385 |
478
|
| Rushing yards |
161 |
141
|
| Passing yards |
224 |
337
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
17–25–1 |
26–33–1
|
| Time of possession |
25:55 |
34:05
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Montana |
Passing |
Keali'i Ah Yat |
16/24, 196 yards, 3 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Michael Wortham |
7 carries, 89 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
Michael Wortham |
5 receptions, 80 yards, TD
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
Cardell Williams |
25/32, 332 yards, TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Rodney Hammond Jr. |
12 carries, 54 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
Ernest Campbell |
9 receptions, 206 yards, TD
|
at Eastern Washington
Sacramento State Hornets (4-4) vs. Eastern Washington Eagles (4-4) – Game summary
at Roos Field • Cheney, WA
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- TV: ESPN+
| Statistics |
SAC |
EWU
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Eastern Washington |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at Portland State
| Statistics |
SAC |
PRST
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Portland State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
Idaho
Idaho Vandals (0-0) vs. Sacramento State Hornets (0-0) – Game summary
at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, CA
| Statistics |
IDHO |
SAC
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Idaho |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at No. 15 UC Davis (Causeway Classic)
| Statistics |
SAC |
UCD
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Sacramento State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| UC Davis |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
Ranking movements
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Final |
|---|
| STATS FCS | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 21 | RV | RV | RV | RV | | | | | | |
|---|
| Coaches | 14 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 21 | RV | — | RV | RV | | | | | | |
|---|
References
- ^ Davidson, Joe (November 8, 2025). "Sac State football beats Portland State, 52-24 behind Hammond". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Report: NCAA Oversight Committee recommends to not support Sac State's waiver to transition to FBS". FOX40 News. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ Davidson, Joe (June 25, 2025). "NCAA denies Sacramento State's waiver bid to join FBS in football. What's next?". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Joe Davidson and Michael McGough (February 14, 2026). "Reports: Sacramento State football to join FBS conference". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Cameron Salerno and Richard Johnson (February 14, 2026). "Sacaramento State set to join MAC as Hornets make jump to FBS in 2026, per reports". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2025-attendance-leaders-bzbz/
- ^ "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
- ^ "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
- ^ "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.
- ^ "Sacramento State Hornets 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
- ^ Rosario, Timothy (May 21, 2025). "FCS Football: Top 20 Post-Spring Transfer Portal Classes". Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ "BRENNAN MARION NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH". hornetsports. December 20, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "2025 Football Coaching Staff". hornetsports. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Sacramento State Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
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