Elijah Tau-Tolliver is a man of many talents.
He’s a football player, the leading rusher for the FCS-ranked No. 18 Sacramento State Hornets who take on Eastern Washington on Saturday night in Big Sky Conference action. Tau-Tolliver will be there in the middle of the fun, capable of blocking to protect the quarterback, of catching passes and especially of dynamic running.
But his other passion has nothing to do with churning legs or touchdown pursuits.
“It’s singing,” the fourth-year junior from Nevada said with a hearty laugh. “I like music. I love to sing. Gospel and R&B. Growing up in church, my grandmother (Patricia) made me sing, and I still sing. I’ll walk around all day singing. Except maybe around people I don’t know, but definitely a little around the locker room, in the car, at home.”
Tau-Tolliver is a good spirit, jovial and gregarious. He’s the guy with the radiant expressions. He is big on family, faith, football and living the good life. He basks in victory, and like any team leader, he fidgets in defeat, which is why he and the Hornets are eager to get back to work at Hornet Stadium after an off-tune effort at Northern Arizona on Sept. 28 . That 34-16 setback to dropped the team’s record to 2-3 overall. The team had a bye last week.
Tau-Tolliver has rushed for 491 yards and three touchdowns and has a TD reception, with big-play ability on special teams returns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound signing tailback rushed for 110 yards in a season opener at San Jose State, 111 against Nicholls State in a home opener and 127 against Texas A&M Commerce.
“Very talented, a great person, always in the building with a great big smile,” Sacramento State coach Andy Thompson said. “On Saturdays, he turns into a warrior and runs hard and plays with great passion. He’s been great.”
But did the coach know the greatness includes vocals? He did not. Thompson said he is eager to hear a tune. What Thompson appreciates is how much his running back wants to help the team, to improve, to lead.
“I love that he sings,” Thompson said with emphasis. “That’s great.”
The coach added: “He’s done a really good job of breaking tackles, and the biggest thing he’s working on is blocking. He’s a valuable player, and he’s been helping the other running backs as one of the veterans. We’re going to lean on him for sure the rest of the season and make sure he gets the ball.”
Tau-Tolliver is an example of a scholarship talent who exercises patience while making plays. He was a contributor in waiting his turn to be the lead back for Sacramento State’s wide-open attack. He appeared in 13 games of a record-setting 12-1 team in 2022, and he saw action in 13 games last season for another playoff team, rushing for seven scores. In 2023, Tau-Tolliver was the primary kick returner in soaring up the school’s all-time career return yardage lists.
“I had to be patient, had to keep working to get where I am,” Tau-Tolliver said. “I’m very competitive. I don’t want to lose any reps in practice, any drills, any games. I just try to do my job. I feel that at any given moment, I can break one or score. I feel like I’m a balanced back, well rounded, and I love my teammates.”
Tripping players and popped-off helmets
Football wasn’t always a joy for Tau-Tolliver. When he first played growing up in Nevada, it was not uncommon for his helmet to pop off after any contact.
That’s when he was 5 years old, all twig arms and spindly legs and a bobblehead-like helmet to top the small frame.
“At first, I hated football,” Tau-Tolliver said. “Helmet always got knocked off. One time, a guy ran at me, and I didn’t want the contact, so I tripped him. It was the game-winning tackle. Then it was, ‘Oh, snap! I might like this game,’ but I learned to tackle.”
Tau-Tolliver grew up as a tackler and runner, earning a 3-star recruiting profile from 247 sports and Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year for the spring COVID season of 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tau-Tolliver was not able to make a recruiting visit to Sacramento State; recruitment was over the phone or Zoom. Both sides were hooked.
Tau-Tolliver was not a natural in football initially but became one. Same with singing. He tried to fool his grandmother as a little boy when she marched him into the church choir by singing the lyrics of a rap song.
“My grandmother was not happy,” Tau-Tolliver said with a laugh.
But she forgave quickly. She still watches him compete. Tau-Tolliver’s parents, Earl Tolliver and Tosha Tau-Tolliver, are regulars at home games. They can be seen and heard.
“My mom is one of those who wonders, ‘Oh my gosh! Is he hurt?’ after a play,” he said. “My dad knows what’s going on and doesn’t worry. My parents and family are always cheering when they see us play. Dad likes to tell the whole world, ‘That’s my son!’”
The good son who runs hard, competes hard and can belt out a nice tune.
Eastern Washington (1-4) at No. 18 Sacramento State (2-3)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
On air: KMAX 31, ESPN 1320, ESPN+
Of note: Eastern Washington’s record is misleading. The Eagles of Cheney suffered a 52-49 loss to FCS-ranked Montana, piling up 551 yards but yielding 701. EWU opened with a win over Monmouth then lost in overtime to Drake, with additional losses at Southeastern Louisiana, 28-24, and FBS-level Nevada, 49-16. This marks just the second home game for Sacramento State dating back to last season, the team ending the 2023 campaign with three road games and then playing four of the first five this season on the road. Sacramento State has 19 sacks, and the team’s average of 3.80 sacks per contest is the best in the FCS, with 16 of those quarterback stops coming in the last three games. EWU leads the all-time series 19-6, including a 12-1 mark at Hornet Stadium.
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