Brennan Marion is of sound mind even though some Sacramento State fans might think otherwise. They wondered if the Hornets first-year head coach was off his rocker after he gambled four times on fourth down in the 2025 opener at South Dakota State. The Hornets were 0-for-4 in a 20-3 loss.
Facing the third-ranked Jackrabbits in his debut with the Hornets on Aug. 30 might have compelled Marion to go for broke. The same was likely true Friday night when No 4 Montana came calling. Marion again gambled four times on fourth down and the Hornets converted two in a 49-35 defeat.
Marion’s propensity for rolling the dice on fourth down raises the question of whether he is fearless or reckless. He was both in the first half against Montana. Converting a fourth-and-4 at the Montana 24 led to a touchdown. Trying a fake punt on fourth-and-8 at the Sacramento State 35 was reckless.
Punter Cal McGough went out for a pass, caught it for 5 yards and was stopped short of a first down. That was after Ernest Campbell’s 64-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the second quarter put the Hornets ahead 14-7. The Grizzlies tied it at 14-all on a 64-yard catch by Michael Worthham.
Rodney Hammond Jr. broke the tie by returning the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The tie was restored, however, when a holding penalty negated Hammond’s second 99-yard return this season. The Hornets instead started at their 18 and reached the 35 before the fake punt was foiled.
Montana needed four plays to go 40 yards and scored on a 27-yard run by Michael Wortham, a Center High graduate. Hammond’s 6-yard touchdown run tied it at 21-all and the Hornets were poised to get the ball back after forcing the Grizzlies to punt with 1:50 left in the second quarter. A fumble on the punt return spoiled that.
The turnover led to Montana pulling ahead for good at 28-21 on a 13-yard dash by Eli Gillman. The deficit had grown to 35-21 in the third quarter when Marion tried his luck again on fourth-and-9 at the Montana 34. Cardell Williams was sacked and lost 11 yards, putting Montana back in business.
Marion’s gambles did not pay off for the Hornets, but the Grizzlies appreciated the good field position. They started just one of 13 possessions inside their 20. Four started in Sacramento State territory, the final one at the 4 after an interception. Malae Fonoti scored on the next play to make it 49-28.
No Big Sky Conference team has gone for it on fourth down as often as Sacramento State, which has converted 13 of 23 attempts. Idaho and Northern Arizona have also converted 13 with fewer tries. Marion refuses to be deterred by a conversion rate of 56.5 percent.
Marion accepts the risks because there have been rewards. Hammond and Sam Adams II scored on runs of 46 and 34 yards, respectively, on fourth down in a 40-35 victory over Northern Colorado on Oct. 18. Hammond also kept the drive for Adams’ score alive with a 7-yard run on fourth-and-1.
Who knows what Marion will do on fourth down with the Hornets “playing for our lives, Every game is a playoff game for us. We’re in the mindset that we have to win or go home.” Marion made those comments before the loss to Montana left Sacramento State at 2-2 in the Big Sky and 4-4 overall.
Converting fourth downs is just one challenge for the Hornets. The other is reducing penalties. No Big Sky team has been penalized as much as Sacramento State, which has been flagged 73 times for 573 yards. The Hornets have had fewer than eight penalties in just one of eight games.
Hammond can attest to how costly the penalties can be after a holding penalty wiped out his 99-yard kickoff return Friday. Hammond ranks among the top FCS kickoff returners with an average of 31 yards. His average would jump to 34.7 if a teammate had kept his hands to himself Friday night.
