Sac State Announces Schedule

SAC STATE FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES 2005 SCHEDULE Release Date: 3/8/2005

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Six home games and a meeting against Div. I-A power California highlight the 2005 Sacramento State football schedule. The Hornets will play 11 regular-season games, beginning on Sept. 3 at Cal. The game marks the fourth-straight season that Sacramento State will face a Div. I-A opponent in its season opener and the first time it will face the Golden Bears. Following the game at Cal, the schedule does not let up as the Hornets will travel to Cal Poly on Sept. 10 and then open Big Sky Conference play at Portland State on Sept. 17. Last season, the Mustangs posted a 10-1 regular-season record but were snubbed from the Div. I-AA playoffs.The team’s first home game will come against UC Davis in the 52nd-Annual Causeway Classic on Sept. 24. That game is the start of a three-game homestand which also features contests against Northern Arizona (Oct. 1) and Azusa Pacific (Oct. 8). The matchup against NAU will serve as the University’s Homecoming game in 2005. Like Cal, the Hornets have never faced Azusa Pacific. Last season, the Cougars reached the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs.Sacramento State returns to the road for an Oct. 15 meeting at Weber State before two home games against Idaho State and Eastern Washington on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, respectively. The final road game of the season will take place on Nov. 5 at Montana State. The team will then close out its season on Nov. 12 against Montana at Hornet Stadium. In all, eight of the team’s 11 opponents were ranked in their respective top 25 last season. Cal topped the list, reaching third in the Div. I-AA poll. Cal Poly, UC Davis, Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington, Montana State and Montana were all ranked in the Div. I-AA national poll. Montana finished the year second after losing to James Madison in the championship game.