Sac State’s ‘Go-Go’ offense explodes for 52 as Hornets keep playoff hopes alive
The biggest misconception about Sacramento State’s “Go-Go” offense is that it is a passing attack.
It is, in fact, a run-heavy offense that can set up the pass with the broad aim of unleashing explosive plays up the middle, off tackle or down the field with a pass. Sac State entered the weekend with the No. 2 rushing attack in the FCS, thanks in large part to the offensive line nicknamed “The Hammerheads” under position coach Kris Richardson and a room full of motivated and talented running backs.
On Saturday night in the Pacific Northwest, the Hornets kept their FCS playoff hopes alive with their big-play attack, racing past Portland State 52-24 at Hillsboro Stadium.
Sac State improved to 6-4 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Sky Conference. Portland State dropped to 1-9 and 1-5.
A week after cruising for a career-best 208 yards in a rout over Eastern Washington, Rodney Hammond Jr. kept it rolling against the Vikings. The senior rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.2 yards a carry.
Cardell Williams completed 8 of 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to speedster Ernest Campbell as the Hornets won for the sixth time in their last eight outings with two conference games to go. Campbell, one of the fastest men in college football, has six touchdown catches this season of 50 or more yards, including the 65-yard play that gave Sac State a 14-7 lead over the Vikings.
The Hornets likely have to beat Idaho at home on Nov. 15 and at FCS No. 10 UC Davis on Nov. 22 in the annual Causeway Classic to qualify for the program’s fifth playoff appearance since 2019.
Damian Henderson II ran for a touchdown and averaged 7.3 yards a carry on seven attempts, and Sam Adams II and JaQuail Smith each ran for scores as the Hornets rushed for 295 yards and had 483 yards of total offense.
Hornets players and coaches ribbed the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Hammond for getting caught on one play, with coach Brennan Marion saying afterward with a laugh, “We told him he wasn’t very good tonight. He’s a consistent playmaker for us. He’s come here (as a transfer from Pittsburgh) and done exactly what he said he was going to do.”
Saturday marked a happy homecoming of sorts for Hornets co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach AC Patterson, who had two different stints as a Portland State assistant coach, including from 2022-24.
Sac State had six sacks, giving the team 11 in two weeks and 37 for the season, which leads the Big Sky. The Hornets have recorded five or more sacks five times this season.
Dylan Hampsten had 2.5 sacks against Portland State and nine tackles, tying him with Oscar Moore for the Hornets lead on Saturday.
The Hornets made two interceptions, including one by Koa Akui, the team leader with five picks.