Sac State ‘Go-Go’ offense hits overdrive in home opener for 1st win under Marion
It wasn’t always pretty or polished, but in this grueling sport, you live with the results.
Sacramento State’s up-tempo, fast-forward “Go-Go” offense took a half to get up to full speed; Cardell Williams dazzled in his first start at quarterback of the season; running back Damian Henderson II energized the run game; and spirited coach Brennan Marion earned his first victory as a head coach as the FCS No. 21-ranked Hornets raced past Mercyhurst of Erie, Pennsylvania by a 49-28 final Saturday night at Hornet Stadium.
A week after suffering a gut-punch loss to Nevada in Reno when two winning touchdowns were called back in the final moment and a tying field goal with seconds to play just missed, Sac State shook off early jitters to unleash a balanced offense in improving to 1-2. The season started with a 20-3 loss at FCS No. 3 South Dakota State.
With 72 new players this season, the Hornets are still trying to get on the same page, and games will do that trick more than practices. That’s been the biggest challenge for the 38-year-old Marion. The Pennsylvania native who has impressed in all of his college coaching stops has maintained that once the “Go-Go” offense gets going, then look out.
“To be honest,” Marion said afterward, “I was embarrassed about our performance in the first half. I’m excited to win. It’s hard to win in college football, especially when you bring in all new coaches, all new players, from across the country. I’m proud of our team for being resilient in the second half, making plays when they needed to finish the game, but we started sluggish and slow.”
Sacramento State trailed 18-7, surged ahead 21-18 at the half, and then broke it open with a 21-point fourth quarter in front of a crowd of 12,231, most of whom stuck around for a postgame fireworks show and concert. That’s a nice turnout considering what was on the sports menu in Sacramento on Saturday night.
Republic FC drew 11,569 for a soccer match against the Phoenix Rising, the A’s attracted 8,758 for the Cincinnati Reds, and the Holy Bowl clash between high school rivals Jesuit and Christian Brothers drew more than 13,000 to Hughes Stadium.
Marion said he expects the Hornets to draw even more fans, starting with next Saturday’s home game against Central Arkansas. And why not? The Hornets are not a dull outfit with their arsenal of speed on offense and defense and Marion’s dynamic play-calling.
‘You’ll play in the NFL someday’
The Hornets amassed 525 yards of offense against the Lakers, including 349 yards rushing, and the offensive line under position coach Kris Richardson allowed no sacks. Williams, a transfer from Tulsa, passed for 176 yards and had touchdown strikes of 19 yards to Jordan Williams and 57 yards to 5-foot-7, 145-pound speedster Ernest Campbell, whom the Hornets deem the “fastest man in college football.”
Williams capped the scoring when he ran the ball in from 24 yards out.
Henderson, a transfer from Colorado State, rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns, including 30-yarder for a 42-28 lead.
“I told him after last week, ‘My man, Dame, if you run with your knees up, you’ll play in the NFL some day,’” Marion said. “Today, he ran that way. I’m excited to see him run like that the rest of the season.”
Said Williams, “It’s nice to hand the ball off to Dame.”
Williams impressed in relief against Nevada after starter Jaden Rashada was knocked out of the game in the first quarter from a targeting hit. Marion said the Hornets can win with either man at quarterback and he will ride the hot hand.
Williams has that hot hand.
“He gave our team a chance to be really explosive,” the coach said. “He gives us a chance to be a really electric offense. He can score by throwing the ball, passing the ball. I’m excited he’s here.”
‘I need people to be dogs’
Marion has rejuvenated a program that went from winning Big Sky Conference championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022 before a dip to three victories last season, running high-energy practices and telling his players and coaches that “one great year can change your life.”
And he has one requirement that is non-negotiable.
“I need people to be dogs,” he said, imploring relentless effort at all times. “I’m a dog, and it’s going to be uncomfortable if you’re around me and you’re not a dog. I’ve been a real football guy my entire life. I’m used to winning. I’m a winner, so I need people to be dogs around me. We did a good job of being dogs in the second half, but a real dog doesn’t need a motivational speech to do it every week.”
The dogs include Henderson. A Compton native who was a 4-star recruit in high school and played two seasons at Colorado State, Henderson III was eager for this opportunity. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he ran with power and burst. And he was as humble afterward as he was in-game, big-dog dominant.
“I’m just proud of the offensive line and how the whole team came and played the second half,” Henderson said. “I’m proud. I’m thankful for the coaches giving me another opportunity, giving me another chance.”
This story was originally published September 13, 2025 at 10:46 PM.