Northern Colorado's defense beats Sacramento State, 27-20

Published Oct. 4, 2015 12:42 a.m. ET

foxsports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Trevor Douglass returned a Sacramento State fumble 58 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 4:12 left in the game, earning Northern Colorado a 27-20 Big Sky Conference victory Saturday night.

The Hornets (1-4, 0-2) scored 10 points on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter to even the score at 20-20.

The teams were tied at the half, 10-10, but the Bears (3-2, 1-2) built a 10-point lead on a 38-yard field goal by Jamie Falloon and a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown by A.J. Battle.

Northern Colorado's offense managed just 48 yards on the ground and 131 through the air. The defense accounted for two Bears touchdowns and Hakeem Deggs scored on a 100-yard return of the opening kick-off.

Sacramento State's Kolney Cassel was 28 of 44 for 294 yards and two touchdowns for the Hornets, while Jordan Robinson had 28 carries for 149 yards.