Sacramento State Football enters FBS era with ‘Prove It’ mentality

Sacramento State football is officially entering a new era.

The Hornets will play their first game as an FBS program Saturday when they travel to face Eastern Michigan in their historic MAC debut. It is also the first game of the Alonzo Carter era, giving the program plenty of reasons to embrace the significance of the moment.

For Carter, however, the history surrounding the game does not change the mindset inside the program.

“We know who we are. We know what we have to prove, and we don’t have to prove nothing to nobody else but ourselves,” Carter said on Sactown Sports’ Stingers Up Podcast with Jason Ross. “We’re in that #ProveIt era.”

Carter has spent the offseason integrating 75 new players while attempting to establish his culture and expectations. Rather than focusing on immediate results, the first-year head coach has emphasized the process and the relentless effort he wants from his team.

(Sacramento State Football)

“I don’t just want to have a good team here at Sacramento State. I want to have a great program,” Carter said. “Greatness comes with a lot of sacrifice.”

Despite the massive roster turnover and the challenge of moving from the FCS to the FBS, Carter believes Sacramento State is capable of competing immediately in the MAC.

“We want to be MAC champions in our first year at FBS,” Carter said. “We don’t feel like we have to wait.”

The Hornets will lean on several returning players to help establish that foundation. Carter pointed to defensive leaders Xavier Williams and Derek Houston, quarterback Carson Conklin, running back Jamar Curtis and several other veterans who chose to remain at Sacramento State.

Newcomers such as Matt Coleman and Rayden Brown are also expected to make an impact, while Carter highlighted returning tight end Jordan Williams, cornerback Elias Mulliken and kicker Jake Meadows as important pieces.

Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton understands the difficulty of preparing for Sacramento State, particularly given the team’s roster turnover and new coaching staff.

“The first game is always tough to figure out,” Creighton said. “When you bring in 75 players, even the personnel is incredibly difficult to know how they’re all going to fit together.”

(Sacramento State football)

Creighton also acknowledged the unusual stakes surrounding the opener. Saturday is simultaneously Eastern Michigan’s home opener and the MAC opener for both teams.

“There’s a ton at stake,” Creighton said.

For Sacramento State, the stakes are even greater historically. The Hornets have spent years building toward this moment, and now Carter gets his first opportunity to show what his program can become.

“This is a full-circle moment,” Carter said. “I’m very thankful to be able to be the head coach here at Sac State. And I want to do this justice. I want to do this right.”

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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