Ohio (4-2 Overall, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) is travelling out to California to take on the newest member of the conference, Sacramento State (1-5 Overall, 0-3 MAC).
Sacramento State’s first season in the MAC and first season in the FBS is not off to a great start as it is on a four game losing streak. In these four games, it’s been outscored 153-29. The average margin of loss is 31 points.
Since conference play has started, Sacramento State has started 0-2 while only scoring one touchdown. This lone touchdown came last week against Bowling Green when the Hornets were down by 35 with five minutes remaining.
Sacramento State’s offense has struggled heavily in its first season in the FBS. In five games this season against FBS opponents, they have averaged less than a touchdown a game.
According to NCAA statistics, Sacramento State ranks 126th out of 138 teams in total offensive yards per game with 308.7. What has been hurting the it the most is its rushing game, ranking 128th in the nation with 104.3 rushing yards per game. Freshman running back Isaiah Ene leads Sacramento State in rushing yards with just 187 and one touchdown.
Sacramento State’s struggling offense relies on the passing game ranking 95th in the nation with 308.7 yards per game. Starting quarterback junior Jackson Sharman has struggled this season through the air, with only one more passing touchdown than interception thrown and only 1,001 passing yards through six games.
The struggling passing game paired with the non-existent running game has led Sacramento State to the 130th ranked scoring offense with only 16.3 points per game.
While Sacramento State’s defense has struggled as well, having the 97th ranked rushing defense and the 118th ranked scoring defense, it’s pass defense has been strong this season. Sacramento State has allowed only 186.5 passing yards per game this season which ranks 38th.
Ohio having to travel over six hours for the game, with the game being at 10 p.m. EST could give Sacramento State an advantage. Ohio has already struggled on the road with a 1-2 away record this season.
In away games, Ohio can’t seem to play complete football. During non-conference play, Ohio went 0-2 on the road due to defensive struggle despite the offense performing well.
In Ohio’s only road MAC game of the season so far, the roles reversed as Ohio’s defense was strong but the offense was lackluster despite the win. Its struggle on the road this season mixed with how long and draining travel will be, could pave a path for Sacramento State to keep it close.
Ohio’s offense with its starting pieces has been performing well. In graduate quarterback Nick Poulos’ return from injury last week against Central Michigan, Poulos played his best game yet as quarterback. Poulos’ three touchdown passes in the first half helped Ohio prevail to a 31-0 lead at halftime.
Captain junior running back Duncan Brune has now played in the last two games after an early injury, and has been getting better each week after a slow start to the season. Since MAC play started, Brune is averaging 88.5 rushing yards per game and has a rushing touchdown.
Ohio defense is coming off its three best games of the season. In the last three weeks, Ohio’s defense has only allowed 10.3 points per game, while also combining for a total of eight sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
Sacramento State’s offense, which relies on its passing game, could run into trouble this week due to Ohio’s recent success in passing defense. Since week four, Ohio’s passing defense has allowed just 148 passing yards per game and only one passing touchdown while snagging two interceptions and deflecting eight passes.
Ohio, coming in red-hot, will try to smother Sacramento State’s defense with its strong rushing and passing game while shutting down the Hornets passing game with its aggressive defense. Sacramento State will try to use its strong home-field advantage to jump out early offensively while also enforcing its top 50 passing defense.
