CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Behind three rushing touchdowns from Asher O'Hara, three field goals from Kyle Sentkowski, and 110 yards rushing from Cameron Skattebo, the 7th-ranked Sacramento State football team pulled out a hard-fought 37-21 road win at Northern Iowa on Saturday afternoon at the UNI-Dome.
 
The Hornets never trailed, but were tested by the Panthers during the second half. UNI slowly chipped away at a 24-7 halftime deficit and drew within one score, 27-21, late in the third quarter.
 
The two defenses held through the majority of the fourth quarter until Kyle Sentkowski made a 38-yard field goal to push the advantage to nine (30-21) with just under four minutes to play. On the ensuing UNI drive, Marte Mapu stepped in front of a pass for an interception and the team's third takeaway of the game. That turnover directly led to a 3-yard TD rush for O'Hara during the final minute.
 
The win marks the first time the Hornets have started a season 2-0 since 2000. In addition, Sacramento State has now won five straight road games dating back to last season. Northern Iowa, always a dominant team at home, had been 225-60-1 in the UNI-Dome since the complex opened in 1976.
 
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The Hornets used a balanced attack behind quarterbacks O'Hara and Jake Dunniway. O'Hara finished with 69 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while Dunniway was 20-for-33 for 199 yards and a TD.
 
The Hornet defense allowed 403 yards of total offense, but came up with key turnovers, including Marte Mapu's interception and 57-yard return with under three minutes to play that sealed the win. Sacramento State forced three turnovers, as Mapu had a pick and a forced fumble. Jace O'Hara had a forced fumble, and both Prince Washington and Armon Bailey had fumble recoveries.
 
Sacramento State opened the scoring midway through the 1st quarter when O'Hara dove in from three yards out for a 7-0 lead. The Hornets outscored Northern Iowa, 17-0, in the second quarter, which included a 21-yard TD reception by Marshel Martin, a 3-yard scoring run from Asher O'Hara and a Sentkowski 29-yard field goal. Sentkowski was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 30-yarder in the 3rd quarter, and a 38-yarder in the 4th.

Sacramento State held a 24-7 lead at halftime. Northern Iowa got within, 27-21, late in the third, but the Hornets owned the fourth with a Sentkowski field goal and the Asher O'Hara late TD run.
 
Skattebo was the spark plug, once again, for the Sacramento State offense, tallying 154 all-purpose yards. He rushed 11 times for 110 yards, and caught five balls for 44 yards. Fellow running back Marcus Fulcher caught nine balls for 61 yards. Martin finished with six catches and a team-high 76 receiving yards.

Defensively, Cameron Broussard led the Hornets with nine tackles (four solo), while Mapu and Killian Rosko both had seven stops. Jace O'Hara and Ayodele Adeoye both had sacks.

Sacramento State returns to action next Saturday when the team travels to Colorado State for a 1 p.m. PT kickoff. Today's win was the first of three straight road games for the Hornets.