Following a tough loss at Nebraska, the Fresno State football team returns to Bulldog Stadium Saturday, Sept. 10 for its home opener against the Sacramento State Hornets.
Against Nebraska, the Bulldogs managed to keep it close in the first half, but ended up losing 43-10. The offense did not find any consistency due to the rushing attack generating only 31 yards on 26 carries.
Quarterback Chason Virgil threw for 133 yards and a touchdown, but missed part of the game after suffering a shoulder injury. The injury will not prevent him from playing against Sacramento State.
“It feels good, just a little banged up,” Virgil said.
Sacramento State lost to Western Oregon of NCAA Division II, collegiate football’s third tier. The 38-30 loss was a tough one for Sacramento State, which currently resides in the second tier Football Championship Division, one division below Fresno State.
Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter is treating the Hornets as if they were a big-time opponent.
“If you’re not ready to play, anybody at any level can beat you,” DeRuyter said.
DeRuyter knows that Fresno State should win.
“The score will take care of itself if we play to our standards,” DeRuyter said.
Bulldogs wide receiver Aaron Peck led the team with 112 receiving yards and a touchdown against Nebraska.
“He’s just a guy that can lead this offense to where it needs to go,” Virgil said.
Peck could play a big role against Sacramento State. The Hornets allowed three receiving touchdowns in their loss.
Fellow Bulldog wide receiver Da’mari Scott was suspended for the first game due to an NCAA eligibility issue. DeRuyter does not anticipate having Scott back against Sacramento State, but expects to hear from the NCAA shortly.
Sacramento State sophomore quarterback Nate Ketteringham threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Western Oregon. He faces a much stiffer defense in Fresno State, which held Nebraska to only 114 passing yards.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium and is being broadcast locally on 940 AM ESPN Radio.