FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Sacramento State started its 2024 Big Sky Conference season with a 34-16 loss at Northern Arizona on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at J.L. Walkup Skydome. The Hornet offense was never able to get in synch throughout the game, limited to 221 total yards and committing three costly turnovers. Meanwhile, the defense had a tough time slowing an NAU offense which converted on five of its first six third downs and was forced to punt just twice on the day.

Senior kicker Zach Schreiner accounted for all of the Hornets' scoring in the opening half, successful on field goals of 49, 37 and 32 yards. He scored the game's first points with a 49-yard field goal with 4:26 left in the first half -- the longest kick of his career by five yards and tied for the 10th longest in school history.

NAU matched the field goal on its next possession from 52 yards out by Marcus Lye to knot the score at the end of the first quarter, then took its first lead of the game with 3:56 remaining in the half when Bryzai White caught a 9-yard pass from Ty Pennington in the back of the end zone.

After the break, the Lumberjacks took control of the game early in the third quarter, eventually outscoring Sacramento State by a 17-0 count in the period. A short field goal on the first series of the second half put NAU ahead, 13-9, then extended its lead two plays into the ensuing Hornet drive when quarterback Carson Conklin was sacked by Alex McLaughlin, knocking the ball loose. Ammon Allen was there to scoop up the loose ball and ran it in for an 8-yard score.

The Lumberjacks added to their lead with a 13-yard touchdown from Pennington to Tay Lanier on the first play following an interception by the Hornets.

Sacramento State stopped the skid early in the fourth quarter as Conklin found Jared Gipson for a score, making the catch around the 15-yard line and bouncing off four would-be tacklers before hurdling into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.

After the defense was able to get a stop, the Hornets' comeback hopes were washed away when DJ VanHook intercepted a pass in the middle of the field and returned it to the 2-yard line, setting up a short TD by Darvon Hubbard.

Stats for the game were unofficial but Sacramento State was credited for 162 passing yards and just 59 on the ground. NAU had 240 through the air and 66 on the ground. Conklin was 17-of-36 and was under duress for most of the game. Anderson Grover caught five passes for 58 yards and Elijah Tau-Tolliver rushed for 77.

Pennington was extremely efficient, completing 21-of-25 passes with a pair of touchdowns. Lanier had six grabs for 69 yards while White caught six passes for 89 yards.

Sacramento State has a bye week before hosting Eastern Washington on Sept. 12 at Hornet Stadium.