Rushing to the top

CSUS lost its season finale, but Charles Roberts made history.

During the 31-16 loss to the University of Montana, the Hornet running back became the NCAA Division 1-AA rushing champion after completing 176 yards on 43 carries Saturday on Hornet Field. Roberts' season total of 2,260 yards squeaked by, five yards ahead of the record Butler University's Arnold Mickens set in 1994.

The sophomore from Montclair, Calif. scratched and clawed his way through a Montana defense that did not want to give him an inch. At the end of the third quarter he had only 82 yards, leaving him with 12 minutes to complete 90 yards for the record.

The Hornets had lost the game before the end of the first half , so with the game out of reach, they focused on Roberts' record in order to finish the year on a positive note. Roberts' 16-yard touchdown run with 1:44 remaining in the game broke the record and gave CSUS something to be proud of.

Roberts knew he had the record when he crossed the goal line, "I was starting to get frustrated early in the game but I wanted to make our graduating seniors a part of history, that was my motivation."

CSUS head coach John Volek knew how many yards he needed. "We knew where Charles was at," he said. "It's not often your team gets a chance at history. We wanted this for the memories."

Roberts tallied 94 yards in the final quarter, earning every inch of it. He had to be helped off the field several times due to sore ankles and an aching elbow. He always went back in on the next play.

"I want to thank Montana for not making this easy on me and hurting me bad," Roberts said. "You don't appreciate the records you get easily."

CSUS running back coach Bob Visger worried about the punishment Roberts took against a physical defense.

"You cannot measure his heart out there on the field," he said. "He threw his body around and was fearless. That is the true mark of who he is."

Roberts also tied Division 1-AA records for 11 100-yard games in a season and 11 consecutive 100-yard games. He set CSUS rushing records for rushing attempts with 386 yards, 19 rushing touchdowns in a season, and he went the entire year without a fumble.

Aside from Roberts' record, there was not much else to brag about. Montana quarterback Brian Ah Yat constantly picked apart the Hornet defense. He finished the game, completing 18 of 33 passes for 261 yards and two touchdown passes.

CSUS freshman quarterback Garrett White provided the only offensive spark for the Hornets in the first half, with an 81-yard touchdown strike to receiver Lamont Webb in the second quarter.

The Grizzlies led 28-6 at half-time.

Defensively, the Hornets were stronger during the second half. They held Montana to only three points to finish the game. They forced two fumbles and recorded a safety to help the offense get the ball in Roberts hands in the final quarter.

Senior linebacker Ryland Wickman and freshman cornerback Elton Gabourel led the team with 10 tackles each while senior defensive lineman Dustin Smith finished the game with two sacks.

Wickman and the defense wanted to help Roberts achieve the record anyway they could.

"We knew Charles needed more yards and we tried to step up our play and get the ball back for the offense," he said. "In the huddle, we said we needed a safety to give him a chance with time running out in the game."

Coach Volek was proud of the effort that his team made the entire year.

"I feel really close to the seniors that have been with me since the beginning," he said. "These kids gave us everything they had for the past 14 weeks and I'm proud of them all. They have been a coach's dream."