The Sacramento Mountain Lions UFL football team hosted the Hartford Colonials Saturday night at the Spanos Sports Complex at CSUS. The Lions entered the game hoping to scare away the ghosts from their loss to the Colonials in the season opener in September. However, Hartford edged out Sacramento, 27-26, in the closing seconds of Saturday's game. Over 13,000 fans, many of them in Halloween costumes, filled the stadium just hours after the wet weather had subsided.

Sacramento took an early lead in the first quarter when John David Washington caught a short pass from Daunte Culpepper and ran it in for a touchdown. It was Washington's first touchdown of the season and his father, Denzel, was on the sidelines to cheer him on. Sacramento scored again near the end of the first quarter after Aaron Woods returned a Hartford punt 60 yards, putting the Lions ahead 14-0. Hartford and Sacramento took turns scoring and the halftime score showed Sacramento leading 20-14.

After neither team scored in the third quarter, Hartford opened the fourth quarter with a long touchdown pass giving them a 21-20 lead. Minutes later Sacramento's Andrew Sendejo intercepted a pass and ran it down to the Hartford one-yard line. On the next play, Cory Ross carried the ball into the end zone, putting Sacramento ahead. The Lions failed to convert their two-point attempt.

Near the end of the fourth quarter, Hartford marched down the field and scored on a field goal by kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, who had missed two comparable attempts earlier in the game. Sacramento punted after three downs and Hartford, now trailing only 26-24, again approached the Sacramento goal. On fourth down, with the ball on the Sacramento 24-yard line, Mehlhaff attempted a game-winning field goal, only to sail the ball to the right of the goalposts. Sacramento players were celebrating wildly on the sidelines until the announcement of a penalty for running into the kicker. The penalty gave Hartford new life with a fresh set of downs on Sacramento's 12-yard line. With just three second left on the clock, Mehlhaff redeemed himself with a successful field goal, silencing the Sacramento jubilation.

The Mountain Lions and the Colonials each have a 2-4-0 record.

Mojo, the Mountain Lions mascot, leads the team onto the field in Saturday's game.

Sacramento quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, takes a snap during first-quarter action.

John David Washington (#28) celebrates after scoring the opening touchdown for the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington watches from the sidelines as his son, John David, plays in Saturday's game.

First quarter action during Saturday's game.

Aaron Woods (#83)  returns a punt for a Sacramento touchdown.

Costumed fans parade around the stadium during Saturday's UFL football game.

Sacramento's Kelly Malvreaux tackles Colonials wide receiver Syndric Steptoe.

Sacramento scores a field goal late in the second quarter.

Sacramento's Ronnie Prude (#21) breaks up a touchdown pass attempt during the third quarter.

Hartford quarterback, Josh McCown (#12),  is swarmed by Sacramento defenders after releasing a pass during Saturday's game.

Sacramento fans nervously watch the scoreboard as Hartford attempts a game-winning field goal.

Mountain Lions players celebrate after a Hartford field goal attempt misses the goalposts. The celebration was short-lived due to a penalty called against Sacramento.

Sacramento Mountain Lions players sign autographs after Saturday's game.

Photos by   Ron Nabity .