“We’re Here to Win the MAC”: Alonzo Carter’s Vision for Sacramento State Football

Sacramento State football is entering a new era, and head coach Alonzo Carter is making it clear that the Hornets aren’t joining the Mid-American Conference simply to participate.

With Sacramento State football set to make its FBS and MAC debut against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 29, Carter joined Sactown Sports’ Carmichael Dave to discuss his philosophy, his vision for the program, and what Sacramento can expect from the ‘Big Stingers.’

Carter has repeatedly emphasized “process over outcome” as Sacramento State football prepares for its first season at the FBS level. Rather than getting caught up in outside expectations or immediate results, Carter wants his players focused on the work required to reach their goals.

“Too many times people get caught up in the outcome,” Carter said. “Process over outcome is something that I live by with this program.”

(Sacramento State football)

Alonzo Carter on Sacramento State’s process

That process includes developing what Carter calls a “prove it mentality.” The Hornets aren’t interested in preseason predictions or outside opinions. They want to demonstrate their identity on the field.

“We just gonna prove it,” Carter said. “We’re gonna the one and zero mentality.”

Carter’s vision for Sacramento State football is also centered on playing with relentless effort and physicality. He described the program’s standard as “green line,” which means playing “100 miles an hour, 100% of the time.”

That mentality will be especially important as Sacramento State makes the jump from the FCS to the FBS and enters the MAC.

“We understand what the MAC is,” Carter said. “Very good football programs. We understand the tradition. We understand the mileage and the travel. But remember, they got to travel to us too.”

Carter also wants Sacramento State football to reflect the city it represents. The Hornets have embraced the return of the “Big Stingers” mantra, hoping to build a culture that connects the current program with its past while creating something new.

“We want to bring back the fun,” Carter said. “We understand Macramento, all these different things, the matching and all that. We get all that. It sounds great, and it’s all hype, and everyone’s excited. But we just gonna worry about right now.”

𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼 𝘿𝘼𝙔 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣#StingersUp | #GreenLine | #ZoTime pic.twitter.com/pkFjc2KyGB

— Sac State Football (@SacHornetsFB) August 23, 2026

And what Sacramento will see on the field won’t be a soft transition into the MAC. Carter has a simple identity in mind: FVP — fast, violent and physical.

“We’re not some California team going into the MAC where it’s gonna be soft football,” Carter said. “We gonna get in the middle of the ring, and we gonna exchange. We gonna play violent, organized violence.”

Carter knows the expectations surrounding Sacramento State football are enormous, but his goal is equally clear: win.

“I’m not here to play around,” Carter said. “I’m here to win football games, and our goal is to be the MAC champion.”

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento State Football content from Sactown Sports

• Sacramento State Football gets high praise at MAC Media Day

2026 Sacramento State Football Schedule

• Saturday, August 29th – @ Eastern Michigan – 3:30 PM PT
• Saturday, September 5th – vs. Mississippi Valley State – 7:00 PM PT
• Saturday, September 12th – @ Fresno State – 7:30 PM PT
• Saturday, September 19th – vs. North Dakota State – 7:30 PM PT
• Saturday, September 26th – vs. Massachusetts – TBD

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