I’m going to miss these guys.

Sacramento State, tired of this junior varsity level of football, is pulling up stakes next season. The Hornets are leaving the far-flung Big Sky Conference for the allegedly greener pastures of, well, we’re not sure. But they want to play Bowl Subdivision football, certainly. 

Good luck, Hornets! May you never need a sideline heater or non-stick cooking spray. 

In the Hornets’ relatively short stay in the Big Sky — Sac State came aboard in 1996 — they’ve created a lifetime of memories. The latest came Saturday from school president Dr. Luke Wood, who called the Grizzlies “the Montana Pandas” at halftime of the Hornets’ home game against Northern Colorado. 

“They’re certainly a great team,” Wood said. “But they haven’t played anybody this season.” 

Wood may not have been the only one looking ahead to Friday’s game, which will be televised on ESPN2 (at 8:30 p.m. local time). The Hornets tipped away a fourth-and-goal pass to survive the 3-win Bears, 40-35. 

On the eve of a game against the 7-0 Griz, Woods’ comments may be the silliest since Mike Price picked the 1986 Grizzlies, under first-year coach Don Read, last in the Big Sky. 

“Even the Idaho State Bengals could beat their alumni,” Price reportedly said, and then that November his Weber State Wildcats absorbed a 55-29 home loss to the Griz.  

After which one UM D-lineman, and I’m pretty sure it was Jason Ray, told Price, “You think WE’RE tough....”  

Wood’s comments certainly drew the ire of people in Griz land, and UM football coach Bobby Hauck said, “Guy’s kind of a clown right? It’s outside noise,” on Monday before adding: “If I was their president I’d be more worried about the riot that happened in their stadium afterward.” 

Hauck was referring to a “Little Yachty” postgame concert that was scheduled to last 25 minutes but ended after eight because of serious crowd control issues. This according to sfgate.com. 

Wood doubled down. “We’re the real test for Montana,” he told the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday. 

Ah, memories: Ricky Ray pitching the ball directly to the Grizzlies’ Damon Parker, snatching defeat from the jaws of Sac State’s first win over UM (2000); the Hornets spraying PAM on each other on the sideline (2002); then-coach Steve Mooshagian sitting under a tube heater late in a 51-21 loss in Missoula (2004).  

Of course, Sac State won three straight from UM from 2019-22. These Hornets are 4-3, with a 20-3 road loss to No. 2 South Dakota State — but also a home loss to Cal Poly.  

At any rate I’d worry about the fact the Hornets have rushed for 300 yards their last two games and three overall. It will be a test Friday at Hornet Stadium, so the Griz had better bring their tackling shoes. 

Then there’s a Quavo concert. May it last more than 8 minutes. 

Reach Fritz Neighbor at 758-4463 or at [email protected].