Sacramento, Calif. – Nov. 8 – SUU football moved to 2-8 on the year and 2-4 in Big Sky Conference play as the Sacramento State Hornets (5-5, 2-4 Big Sky) passed their way to a victory.
After both teams started the game by punting on their first possessions, the Hornets would strike first with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that saw quarterback Garrett Safron finding DeAndre Carter for a 19-yard touchdown catch. The Thunderbirds answered quickly with a 7-play, 65-yard drive ending with an Ammon Olsen touchdown pass to Chris Robinson for 21-yards. The first quarter would end at 7-7, with CSUS threatening at the SUU 5-yard line.
The second quarter started with CSUS making good on that threat with a 5-yard, Safron to Carter touchdown pass, their second scoring connection on the game, 14-7 Hornets. The Thunderbirds picked up a pass interference call to move them into Sac State territory on their next drive, but a sack forced them into a third and long, which they could not convert, and were forced to punt.
A quick three and out for the Hornets setup the Thunderbirds in favorable field position at their own 38-yard line. The Thunderbirds pushed it into Sacramento State territory again, but were stopped on a third and one and would be forced to punt.
Another Safron to Carter touchdown pass would put the Hornets ahead 21-7, with just over five minutes to play in the first half. The first half would end with another Hornets touchdown, this time it was Safron to Chris Broadnax for 22-yards.
Ammon Olsen had 109 yards on 12-20 passing and one touchdown in the first half. Five of those pass completions were to Robinson, who racked up 57 yards and one touchdown. Miles Killebrew, Chinedu Ahanonu and James Cowser led the Thunderbirds in tackles in the first half, Killabrew with double digit tackles at 11.
For CSUS in the first half it was the Safron to Carter show. Safron finished the half with 251 yards, completing 16 of 21 passes and four touchdowns. Carter had nine receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
The Thunderbirds received the ball to start the third and drove the ball deep into CSUS territory before an illegal block in the back forced the Thunderbirds into a fourth down attempt. An Olsen fade pass to Justin Brown was broken up and the Hornets took over at their own four-yard line. They would put together an eight-play, 96-yard drive to push the Hornet lead to 35-7.
After SUU was forced to punt on their next possession, Safron completed a pass to Carter, but Killabrew was there to rip the ball from Carter's hands and force a fumble, which the Thunderbirds recovered.
In the fourth quarter, CSUS would push their lead to 42-7 on a 40-yard, Safron to Carter 
touchdown, their fourth of the game and Safron's fifth overall. With that reception, Carter would set the Hornet's single-game yardage record with 268.
The Thunderbirds showed some life, as Olsen would connect with Robinson for the second time in the game and cut the Hornet's lead to 42-14. Receiver Mike Sharp had a few critical receptions on the drive to keep the Thunderbirds offense rolling.
The Thunderbird defense forced another fumble and Aaron Cantu came into the game and led the SUU offense down the field for another touchdown. He found Chris Robinson for nine yards to make it a 21-point game, 42-21. The game would end with that same score as the Thunderbirds fell to the Hornets.
The Thunderbirds will play their final home game of the year against Montana next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Eccles Coliseum. SUU Athletics will announce the All-Century team at halftime and every 100th fan into the stadium will receive a free helicopter ride, courtesy of Upper Limit Aviation. Remember to wear your black as that game will be a blackout game.
Outstanding Performers:
Offense:
Ammon Olsen: 28-43, 260 yards, 2 TDs
Chris Robinson: 8 catches, 88 yards, 3 TDs
Defense:
Chinedu Ahanonu: 14 tackles, 1 breakup
Miles Killebrew: 10 tackles, 1 breakup, 1 forced fumble
James Cowser: 9 tackles
Special Teams:
Tate Lewis: 6 punts, 222 yards, 37-yard AVG
