Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown. Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 27, HERO Sports will name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-0. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on last season’s rosters.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2021 rosters.
12: Jake Dunniway, QB (Sr.) — Sacramento State
The two-QB system can be hit or miss, but Sac State’s creative offense had it rolling last season thanks to Dunniway’s arm talent.
Dunniway began his college career at San Diego Mesa JC before transferring to Sac State in 2019. He sat and learned behind star quarterback Kevin Thomson, appearing in eight games. Dunniway did get one start after Thomson was injured, completing 27-of-44 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns at Northern Arizona, including two in the final two minutes of the game for a comeback victory.
After not playing in 2020-21 due to COVID, Sac State entered last fall with big expectations. Dunniway again began the season as the backup. But after Asher O’Hara had some struggles throwing the ball, the Hornets implemented its two-QB system. Dunniway started nine games as the passer. O’Hara was the change-of-pace running QB with the ability to still throw so teams didn’t sell out to stop the run when he was behind center.
The offense began to shine, going from scoring 19 points against Utah Tech and 16 points against Northern Iowa in the first two games to scoring 30 points in a 42-30 loss at P5 Cal. Sac State finished the season scoring 30.3 points per game.
Dunniway completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. O’Hara led the Hornets with 667 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns while throwing for 899 yards and seven scores. Dunniway was named an All-Big Sky Third Team QB, and O’Hara was named an All-Conference First Teamer at the all-purpose spot.
Sac State finished 9-3 overall and 8-0 in the Big Sky last year. The Hornets look for a much deeper playoff run after recent early exits as a high seed. With Dunniway and O’Hara back leading an experienced team, Sac State is ranked No. 7 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 media poll.
