The Sacramento State Hornets football team dropped a 49-3 decision to the Fresno State Bulldogs on September 12, 2026, at Valley Children’s Stadium in Fresno, California. The loss lowered Sacramento State’s record to 1-2, while Fresno State improved to 1-1 on the season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Fresno State broke through with 32 points in the second quarter, featuring two passing touchdowns of 18 and 73 yards and rushing touchdowns of 1 and 11 yards. Manaki Watanabe added a 51-yard field goal to close the half with the Bulldogs leading 32-0.
Sacramento State’s lone scoring came in the third quarter on a 35-yard field goal by Grant Meadors. The game’s standout individual performance was from Fresno State’s Bryson Donelson, who rushed for three touchdowns of 11 yards, 5 yards, and 56 yards, accounting for much of Fresno State’s scoring after halftime.
Fresno State quarterback Jayden Mandal completed 23 of 26 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown. Receivers Ezekiel Avit and Josiah Freeman each surpassed 100 receiving yards, with 103 and 100 yards respectively. Sacramento State’s Jackson Sharman, starting quarterback for the second consecutive game, completed 15 of 31 passes for 150 yards. Onterrio Smith Jr. led the Hornets in receptions with four catches for 66 yards. Five Sacramento State running backs combined for 112 rushing yards, including a team-high 48 yards from Jamar Curtis.
The Bulldogs amassed 542 total offensive yards to Sacramento State’s 262. Hornets head coach Alonzo Carter addressed the defensive shortcomings, stating, “We gave up a couple of big plays in the passing game which is uncharacteristic for us. We did not respond in the way I expect us to and it is disappointing. We have to flush it and move forward because it is not going to get any easier.”
Sacramento State will next host North Dakota State on September 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
CSB Take
The comprehensive loss to Fresno State underlines significant defensive lapses and an offense that struggled to keep pace for Sacramento State. Preventing big plays and finding consistent offensive production will be crucial as the Hornets look to improve their season. The upcoming home matchup against a strong North Dakota State squad presents a vital chance for Sacramento State to regroup and show progress.
Source: Original report
