Hornets ax Lumberjacks

Charles Roberts and Hornet Football set some new standards Saturday night after a 38-21 axing of the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. CSUS set a school record by winning their first league road game since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996.

Roberts rushed for a school-record 280 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hornets to their second win in a row. The sophomore running back and Division I-AA's leading rusher broke Rob Harrison's single-game rushing record of 268 yards set in 1986 against Southern Utah. His 42 carries also broke the school record of 41 set by Michael Stewart in 1995.

The Hornets, 4-4 for the season and 2-3 in the Big Sky, are now earning what they set out to achieve this season, respect. "I said one thing at the Big Sky meetings: 'We're playing for respect this year,'" Head coach John Volek said. "We've earned it. We've had a lot of pain in this program and it felt good to heal it tonight."

The Lumberjacks held a 14-13 lead into half-time until CSUS took over in the second half. A 34-yard run by Roberts set up a two-yard score by quarterback Garrett White. White, who had just turned 19 that day, celebrated by earning his first victory as a starter. Roberts later scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give the Hornets a 28-14 lead.

Cornerback Dannie Walker sealed the deal for the Hornets by intercepting a pass from quarterback Trent Brown and returning it 35 yards for the score. NAU coach Jerome Sauers gave credit to the Hornets. "They make you play disciplined football," he said. "Their offensive line blocked extremely well. Roberts is going to make something out of every play."

With three games left in the season, Coach Volek says there is a lot to still be excited about. "If we keep working hard there is an outside chance that we can make the playoffs," he said. "The Big Sky has been known to take teams that finish second or even third. We just have to beat the old hands of the Big Sky."