1988 Sacramento State Hornets football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1988 Sacramento State Hornets football Western Football Conference WFC 10–3 4–2 Bob Mattos 11th Hornet Stadium NCAA Division II Semifinal L 20–42 vs. North Dakota State The 1988 Sacramento State Hornets football team represented California State University, Sacramento as a member of the Western Football Conference (WFC) during the 1988 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Bob Mattos, Sacramento State compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the WFC. The team outscored its opponents 479 to 272 for the season. The Hornets played home games at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California. The Hornets finished the regular season schedule with a record of 8–2. For the first time they qualified for the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs. The first game was against traditional rival UC Davis, who they defeated 35–14. The Division II quarterfinal game was against 1988 North Carolina Central Eagles North Carolina Central, and the Hornets dominated the game, 56–7. The Division II semifinal game was against undefeated North Central Conference champion North Dakota State. North Dakota State defeated the Hornets, 42–20, on their way to a national title. Eight players Sacramento State received first-team All-WFC honors: wide receiver Mark Young, running back Donald Hair, center Harry Williams, kicker Jim Gill, defensive lineman Ken Stinnett, linebacker Derek Stigerts, defensive back JR Richards, and safety Gary Lunsford. Schedule 1988 NCAA Division II NCAA Division II Football Committee Pacific September 10 w y y Chico State University Stadium Chico, CA 48–16 3,500 September 17 w y Humboldt State Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA 55–17 5,800 September 24 w y y UC Davis Toomey Field Davis, CA Causeway Classic 31–28 10,600 October 1 l y 10 1988 Southern Utah State Thunderbirds Southern Utah State Eccles Coliseum Cedar City, UT 17–21 4,400 October 8 w y Cal Poly Mustang Stadium San Luis Obispo, CA 30–29 3,750 October 15 w 15 Santa Clara Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA 28–14 4,500 October 22 w y y 11 Pacific (CA) Stagg Memorial Stadium Stockton, CA 30–21 5,147 October 29 l 6 1988 Portland State Vikings Portland State 5 Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA 29–43 8,300 November 5 w y 12 Cal State Northridge North Campus Stadium Northridge, CA 40–20 6,103–6,193 Final 1988 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Cal State Northridge) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/101/stats/12718 National Collegiate Athletic Association May 30, 2022 November 12 w 10 1988 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Cal Lutheran Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA 60–0 4,200 November 19 1:00 p.m. w y y 10 UC Davis 13 Toomey Field Davis, CA NCAA Division II First Round 35–14 10,700 Van Vliet Jim Causeway II: More than pride is at stake https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101754161/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California November 19, 1988 C1 May 12, 2022 Newspapers.com Van Vliet Jim Hornets (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101754324/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California November 19, 1988 C3 May 12, 2022 Newspapers.com Van Vliet Jim Hornets do it again, whip Aggies 35-14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101754421/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California November 20, 1988 C1 May 12, 2022 Newspapers.com Van Vliet Jim Hornets (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101754482/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California November 20, 1988 C8 May 12, 2022 Newspapers.com Sacramento St. 35, UC Davis 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101754575/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California November 20, 1988 C16 May 12, 2022 Newspapers.com November 26 w y 10 1988 North Carolina Central Eagles North Carolina Central 17 Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA NCAA Division II Quarterfinal 56–7 December 3 l y y 10 North Dakota State 1 Dacotah Field Fargo, ND NCAA Division II Semifinal 20–42 13,200 Van Vliet Jim Bison send Sac State out on a downer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100928618/the-sacramento-bee/ May 2, 2022 The Sacramento Bee December 4, 1988 C1 Newspapers.com N. Dakota St. 42, Sacramento St. 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114331982/the-sacramento-bee/ The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California December 4, 1988 C14 December 8, 2022 Newspapers.com Final 1988 Division II Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Sacramento State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/102/stats/12718 National Collegiate Athletic Association April 26, 2022 References Sacramento State Category:Sacramento State Hornets football seasons Sacramento State Hornets football