Roberts runneth over

Sophomore running back Charles Roberts has 2,084 with one game left

Sac State got the win. Charles Roberts got the record.

During the Hornet's 36-13 thrashing of Idaho State at Holt Arena, the sophomore racked up 242 yards on 30 carries. Roberts has 2,084 yards for the season, breaking the Big Sky Conference single-season rushing record with 2,084 yards.

The 10-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter set a new CSUS record for rushing touchdowns in a season previously set by Troy Mills in 1991. Roberts needs only 172 to break the Division I-AA single-season record of 2,255 set by former Butler University rusher Arnold Mickens in 1994.

"I broke 2,000 yards because I got a lot of help," Roberts said. "It's not just me that ran for 2,000 yards. It's our entire offense as well."

With the victory, CSUS improved to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big Sky.

The Hornets started the game trying to establish the passing attack. The results were two quick 30-yard passes by quarterbacks Garrett White and Paul Carillo.

White, a freshman, finished off Sac State's opening drive with a 30-yard pass to receiver Lamont Webb, giving the Hornets an early 6-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Idaho State's Sony Galvan gave the ball back the Hornets with a fumble on the 37-yard line. Carillo entered the game and immediately threw a touchdown pass to tight end Chris Kelly; the Hornets led 13-0 in the first two minutes.

The two quarterbacks split time in the game and combined for a balanced passing attack to compliment Roberts. White finished the game four of eight with 68 yards, while Carillo completed five of nine passes for 89 yards. Neither quarterback had an interception.

CSUS head coach John Volek wanted to pass the ball early, taking into consideration last week's struggles against Eastern Washington.

"We've been working on play action all week," he said. "I thought our ability to throw early played a key role in allowing us to win."

On defense the Hornets stung the Bengals by allowing only 292 yards of rushing and passing offense combined. They also improved their take-away margin for the season by forcing two turnovers.

"Our defense has really improved and continues to make big plays for us," Volek said.

Idaho State is now 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Big Sky. They have a lot of questions to answer for next season after the firing of head coach Tom Walsh two days before the game.

CSUS will now face Montana University in the season finale Saturday at Hornet Stadium. A win will give them a 4-4 record in the Big Sky, a first since their 1995 induction into the conference.

"We've got the resources now and we're starting to become a very competitive team," Volek said.

Roberts knows he has one more record to accomplish in his final game, "I'm real confident in our offense right now," he said. "We are starting to gel as a unit and that gives me opportunities in the backfield."