Sacramento State wins one for fallen coach Greg Knapp in trouncing of Cal Poly
Greg Knapp would appreciate this team.
The effort, the skill, the coaching leadership and the first-place standing in the top FCS conference.
A man known as “Knapper” was an affable, easy going record-setting quarterback at Sacramento State from 1982-85, and he was an assistant coach with the program for nine seasons before a long NFL assistant coaching run, specializing in quarterbacks and play calling. Knapp died at 58 after a bike-riding accident, struck by a car, in July in the Bay Area. People who knew him — and he knew a lot of people — still feel a profound loss.
The Hornets have dedicated their season in his honor, including Saturday night when No. 16 Sac State belted visiting Cal Poly 41-9 to move to 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play.
Cameron Skattebo rushed for 98 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns, Asher O’Hara ran for a score and passed for one, Jake Dunniway passed for 215 yards, Greg “Munchie” Filer III returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown and Kyle Sentowski boomed field goals of 40 and 51 yards on his way into the Hornets record books..
Sac State (7-2) has won six consecutive games, the longest streak for the program since 1991 when Knapp was on the coaching staff under head man Bob Mattos. The Hornets moved to 14-1 in the Big Sky since 2019, and they join Montana State as the only unbeaten teams in the Big Sky this campaign with two regular-season games remaining. Cal Poly (1-8) has lost eight consecutive games.
Knapp’s wife Charlotte was an honorary captain Saturday. She spoke to the Hornets team Friday night, and she attended the game with family and friends, waving to an appreciative crowd when it was announced in the first half that Sac State had created a Greg Knapp Memorial Fund.
“Greg Knapp is important to us, and his ripple effect will continue forever,” said Sac State coach Troy Taylor, who knew Knapp for decades. “We will continue to honor him, love each other, and will do so for the rest of the season and we’ll finish strong. Greg was one of those guys that everyone felt like his friend. He was always very warm and giving, very authentic. He had a huge impact on this place and on a lot of people, a special guy.”
Sentowski has made 15 field goals this season, a single-season Hornets record. The school started playing football in 1954. He has made 11 consecutive field goals and has made 8 of 9 from 40 yards or more. Not bad for a grinning fellow wearing jersey No. 98, hardly the norm for a kicker.
When did kickers don such high numbers? In his case, Sentowski went from No. 48 in 2019 and then changed it up.
“I wasn’t a big number guy in the beginning, but I’m going to stick with this number now,” Sentowski said with a laugh. He started kicking when he was in the fourth grade, following in the footsteps of brother Keith and his father Gene.
“We have a big team (in terms of roster numbers) and sometimes you get stuck with a number,” Taylor said with a laugh. “He’s unbelievable. Kyle’s been huge for us. We wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
Said O’Hara on Sentowski’s 51-yarder that pushed Sac State ahead 27-9 with 8 minutes left in the third quarter, “That was insane. We were watching on the sideline and it felt like 15 seconds (in the air.”
O’Hara and Dunniway continued their terrific 1-2 quarterback punch for the Hornets, both backing the other and basking in each other’s big moments.
“We both use our strengths, and coach Taylor knows how to use us,” O’Hara said. “At the end of the day, we’re playing football. It comes down to camaraderie and friendship. We’re changing history here. All that matters is winning.”
Filer’s interception return made it 14-0 with 1:40 left in the first quarter. That was Sac State’s first interception return for a score of the season and the second for Filer in his Hornets career. He credited teammates for leading the way to the end zone with blocks.
“Feel good for him and feel good for the defense,” Taylor said. “They work hard at getting turnovers. They get one and their eyes light up. Those corners all think they can play running back!”
Sac State hosts Portland State on Saturday at 6 p.m. and caps the regular season at UC Davis on Nov. 20 in the Causeway Classic, which could decide the conference championship or who goes to the playoffs, or who doesn’t.