Sac State lacks running back experience. Can a transfer from the ACC help?

Here’s how the Sacramento State football team shapes up entering this season.

Last year’s record: 2-9 (2-6 Big Sky Conference)

Coach: Jody Sears (fifth year, 11-23)

Key departures: QB Nate Ketteringham, RB Jordan Robinson, RB Demetrius Warren

Skinny: None of the Hornets running backs had a carry last season, and they need to break in a new quarterback while shoring up a porous defense for a program that has struggled to compete. Sac State has won just four conference titles since 1954, the last in 1995, and it has three winning seasons since 1999, two under John Volek and one under Marshall Sperbeck.

Players to watch

Kolney Cassel, QB: He started a game for SMU in 2015 and saw limited action for the Hornets last season while enduring shoulder injuries and could rotate with Kevin Thomson.

Joseph Ajeigbe, RB: A California native returns West to close out his career after seeing time in 12 games last season at Duke, where he played three seasons.

Isiah Hennie, WR: The speedster has 99 career receptions, and he is the first Hornet to return a kickoff and a punt return for scores.

Ben Sorensen, DE: The preseason All-Big Sky pick had 5 1/2 sacks and five quarterback hurries and is climbing up the school’s career sack list.

Immanuel Anderson, DB: Changed his name from Manny after leading the Hornets with 107 tackles, second most in the Big Sky.

This story was originally published August 30, 2017 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Sac State lacks running back experience. Can a transfer from the ACC help?."