1. First Things First

When the Hornets take the field at Rynearson Stadium (aka The Factory) there will be many firsts aside from the being the opener of the 2026 season.

• The game will be the first of the FBS era at Sacramento State
• The first as a member of the Mid-American Conference.
• The first MAC football game of the year for any team.
• The first time the Hornets will play a football game in the state of Michigan.
• The first for Alonzo Carter as the 14th head coach of Sacramento State football.

 

2. Last Things First

The game will be part of eight FBS contests played on Week 0 this weekend. Moving forward, the FBS will no longer have an early start for some teams and all schools will be eligible to play on the last weekend of August. With the change, each team will play 12 regular season games over a 14-week schedule. Although an August kickoff is rare it's not unprecedented as the Hornets are 0-2 on the date with a pair of losses at San Jose State.
 

3. Hoping To Pick Up Where They Left Off

Two of the key contributors to the Hornet offense were both last seen in a Sacramento State uniform following stellar performances against UC Davis in the Causeway Classic. Jamar Curtis finished an injury-shortened 2025 with an impressive 105 rushing yards and 24 carries, including a touchdown in his lone full game of the year. Curtis enters 2026 as one of three FBS backs with 3,000 career rushing yards. Carson Conklin recorded a career-best 389 passing yards and five TD passes in the 2024 matchup against UC Davis. Conklin spent the 2025 season at Fresno State where he started four games.
 

4. How To Follow The Action

Hornet fans can listen to ESPN 1320 with Jason Ross, Steve McElroy and Danny Sullivan. The broadcast can also be heard on the ESPN 1320 website, the Audacy app and on the SiriusXM app.
 
The game will also be streamed on ESPN+. Mick Tidrow will handle the play-by-play while former Cal Bear and NFL veteran Jerod Cherry will be the analyst.
 

5. One Week Closer

Four players with ties to Sacramento State football remain on NFL rosters heading into the final preseason weekend. Daron Bland is the longest-tenured as he enters his fifth season with the Dallas Cowboys. Marte Mapu is in his his fourth NFL season and first with the Houston Texans. Mapu was placed on the injured list on Tuesday. Jackson Slater and Cameron Skattebo are both in their second NFL campaign. Skattebo will by working his way back from a severe leg injury last season while Slater returns to the Tennessee Titans.