The 2016 Sacramento State Hornets football team represented California State University, Sacramento as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by third-year head coach Jody Sears, Sacramento State compiled an overall record of 2–9 with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing in a four-way tie for ninth in the Big Sky. The Hornets played home games at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.