Sacramento State was only 2-9 last year, and is picked to finish 12th in the 13-team Big Sky Conference this year.

But Idaho coach Paul Petrino thinks the Hornets might be on the verge of a breakthrough — much like his Vandals were at the beginning of last season.

“They’ve got 20 starters back (21 actually, including 11 on defense), and they’ve got guys with all kinds of experience,” said Petrino, whose Vandals host Sacramento State tonight at 6 in the season opener at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. “They were in a bunch of close games last year. One play here, one play there, they could have won six games.”

Petrino said “the biggest thing that keeps me awake at night is their receivers (led by senior Isiah Hennie), and their boundary defensive end, No. 98 (Ben Sorenson). They’ve got a really good group of receivers. Their receivers are as good as anybody we’ll play against.”

As of earlier this week, the Hornets had not named a starting quarterback. In the mix are senior Kolney Cassel and junior Kevin Thomson.

Sac State does not have a running back on the roster who carried the ball last season for the Hornets.

The only remaining back on the roster with collegiate experience is Joseph Ajeigbe, a California native and graduate transfer from Duke.

Idaho, meanwhile, returns most of its offensive starters and three key linebackers from last year’s 9-4, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl-winning squad. But the Vandals, who tied for third in the Sun Belt, were picked to only finish sixth this season, their last in the league.

Asked to name someone who has made big strides this fall, Petrino named two players. The first was senior wide receiver Jacob Sannon. The second was former Lakeland High standout Cade Coffey, a redshirt freshman who is taking over the punting and kicking duties from four-year standout Austin Rehkow.

“Cade Coffey, from where he was in spring, to how he’s been booming the ball here lately, he might be the next guy that’s made the biggest improvement,” Petrino said.

Sophomore Zion Dixon (Lake City High) is listed as the Vandals’ starter at “quick” guard.