The season opener was a rousing success for Sacramento State, a rare trek to the Bayou State to take on Nicholls State of Louisiana. Never mind the flight delay getting there, the second-half smoke from wildfires and the heat and humidity.

The home opener against Texas A&M Commerce looms at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hornet Stadium and the hosts do not plan to ease up on the gas pedal. There will be fireworks throughout the game, if the Nicholls State contest was any indication of how prolific and fun the Hornets will be, followed by an actual fireworks show after the game.

Ranked No. 8 nationally in the FCS, Sacramento State beat Nicholls State 38-24 on Aug. 31, and just over a week of preparation has the Hornets chomping at their mouthpieces for another crack at another foe. Texas A&M-Commerce is coming off a 48-10 home loss to UC Davis, and the Lions are eager for a shot at saving face. The program transitioned into NCAA FCS football last season, going 5-6 overall, after decades of success at the lower levels.

Kaiden Bennett, the one-time Folsom High School star, dazzled for the Hornets in securing the starting quarterback job. He didn’t start the season opener, but the gig is his now after he accounted for three touchdowns while directing a unit that churned out 441 yards of offense. Marcus Fulcher rushed for two scores and the defense produced three sacks to extend the Hornets’ regular-season winning streak to 20 as Andy Thompson won his first game as head coach after four years as defensive coordinator, a role he still holds.

Carson Camp started at Nicholls State after edging Bennett for the starting nod with the plan that Bennett would also play in the first half. Bennett impressed with three completions of at least 40 years in calmly leading the offense.

Camp and Bennett embraced each other on the sideline after plays, a show of team support and unity. That was a theme as the Hornets won the last three Big Sky Conference championships and throughout a 12-1 season in 2022.

Bennett stepped up into the pocket and fired a 40-yard touchdown to Jared Gipson for a 24-10 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, he delivered a 47-yard strike to Devin Gandy to the Nicholls State 6-yard line, setting up another score. Bennett passed for 221 yards and two scores on 11-of-16 passing and rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Camp passed for 35 yards on 5-of-11 passing and produced the longest rush by a Hornet with a 26-yard burst on the opening drive.

“KB played really well and we’re excited to see what he can do,” Thompson said. “Carson’s really good, too, and he’ll play. KB has earned it. He’s worked really hard. He’s been a leader since I took over as head coach. He’s done a nice job of trying to improve every day. He’s confident. He’s talented. He’s prepared. He puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”

Said Bennett: “It was fun to get ou there with my brothers and compete at a high level. I’m proud of my teammates and the staff for the hard work we put in. We can still improve. Stingers up!”

Thompson said his team is settling back into a more regular routine. School is back in session. Games are back to Saturday nights. And unlike the trip to Nicholls State, the air will be clear with no crippling humidity. Thompson said no players cramped up, despite the conditions, a credit to the team’s conditioning.

Thompson said he hopes for an energized crowd on Saturday, promising an up-tempo team on offense, defense and special teams.

“We’re exciting to watch,” he said. “We play extremely hard and love playing for each other, and we play fast.”

▪ Sacramento State’s three sacks were delivered by local products. DeShawn Lynch of Folsom High had his first two sacks of his Hornets career and Brandon Knott of Inderkum had a quarterback stop in his first start.

▪ The Hornets’ offensive line of Ivan Garza at left tackle, Jackson Slater at left guard, Nathan Mejia at center, Kenndel Riley at right guard and Aidan Meek at right tackle did not allow a single sack at Nicholls State, which delighted position coach Kris Richardson.

▪ Texas A&M-Commerce coach Clint Dolesel is in his first year as head coach. He starred at quarterback at the school in 1992-93, when it was known as East Texas State.

▪ The game will be carried on ESPN 1320 radio and KMAX-31 TV. It will also be streamed on ESPN+.

This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 5:00 AM.

Joe Davidson

The Sacramento Bee

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Joe Davidson has covered sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1989: preps, colleges, Kings and features. He was in early 2024 named the National Sports Media Association Sports Writer of the Year for California and he was in the fall of 2024 inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame. He is a 14-time award winner from the California Prep Sports Writer Association. In 2021, he was honored with the CIF Distinguished Service award. He is a member of the California Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Davidson participated in football and track in Oregon.