Sacramento State hosted Mississippi Valley State on September 5 with backup quarterback Jackson Sharman starting at QB after starter Carson Conklin was declared unavailable for the home opener. Sharman got the start as the Hornets played their first home game without their usual starter.

Off the field, the program is facing a bigger problem. A plan to play games at Cal Expo this season collapsed, leaving the Hornets' new stadium project without a solid next step. No new location has been announced, keeping the stadium situation unresolved heading into the rest of the 2026 season.