Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State

Sacramento State’s returning production makes its ground game the natural lens. Rodney Hammond Jr. remains on the 2026 roster after rushing for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, and Jamar Curtis carries 3,214 career rushing yards and 17 career 100-yard games, according to Sacramento State. Xavier Williams also returns after recording 32 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. Those established names give Carter’s team experienced pieces on both sides as it opens its home schedule.

For Mississippi Valley State, Buckley’s staff includes Grant Simms as offensive coordinator and receivers coach, Kelvin Smith as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Jalil Kilpatrick as quarterbacks coach. Quarterback Josh Brown and defensive back Jamari Stokes represented the Delta Devils at SWAC Football Media Day alongside Buckley, signaling their prominence within the program’s preseason presentation. Sacramento State’s roster lists five quarterbacks but does not identify an opening-day starter or snap order, so the game’s early rhythm will offer the first on-field look at how the Hornets distribute that role. That uncertainty makes the first quarter an important test of how quickly Carter’s offense can establish its preferred tempo.