UC Davis Returns to Action Off Bye, Collects 49-36 Win at Northern Colorado
Oct 6, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Feb 27, 2020, 10:03 am
GREELEY, Colo. – Interceptions from senior American studies major Mason Moe and redshirt freshman biological sciences major Jordan Perryman — the second and first of their respective careers — each led to touchdowns in the first quarter for UC Davis in Saturday’s Big Sky road game at Nottingham Field.
After junior managerial economics major Wesley Preece scored the first of his three touchdowns, redshirt freshman biochemistry and molecular biology major Ulonzo Gilliam collected his team-high eighth TD of the season, Northern Colorado cut the Aggies’ lead in half to 14-7 by scoring its first points of the afternoon.
UC Davis responded with another two scoring drives, which included Preece’s third career multi-TD game when junior communication major Jake Maier found him in the back of the end zone from nine yards, followed by sophomore sociology major Tehran Thomas bulldozing his way for another six points with 21 seconds before the break, which pushed the Aggies’ lead to 28-10 at halftime.
UC Davis’ final first-half scoring drive was surgical in its execution since it covered 70 yards in 10 plays, over 70 seconds to extend the team’s cushion to a three-possession margin, at that time.
A jaw-dropping play from senior sociology major Keelan Doss set up the Aggies’ last-minute scoring effort since it was he who dragged his toes inbounds on a diving catch, to give UC Davis four opportunities to reach the end zone from Northern Colorado’s one-yard line with 28 seconds remaining until the break.
That reception, the sixth of Doss’ afternoon at that time, pushed him over 100 receiving yards for the second time this season, and the 14th time of his career, tying Charley Enos (1980-2001) for the most 100-yard games in program history.
Doss ended his day with 11 receptions for 161 yards.
If UC Davis’ quick-strike offense and suffocating defense did not take the wind out of the fans in attendance before halftime, a fumble recovered by the Aggies on the opening drive of the second half, which led to a 25-yard catch from Doss for another six points on the subsequent drive, broke the spirits of everyone wearing Northern Colorado blue and yellow.
With its 49-36 victory, UC Davis will enter next Saturday’s 4 p.m. Homecoming game vs. Idaho State with records of 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. Northern Colorado, a team that faced nationally ranked teams, or teams receiving votes in every game played this season, falls to 0-6 and 0-3 after losing to the Aggies during its Homecoming weekend.
This Big Sky matchup also marked the first time this season that Northern Colorado did not enter the last five minutes of a game with an opportunity to tie the score, or take a lead — a situation created by an Aggie squad that dominated its first true road game for all 60 minutes.
UC Davis’ first two matchups outside of Aggie Stadium took place within driving distance at San José State and No. 9 Stanford.
With Saturday’s result, the Aggies now lead the all-time series, 7-3.
This game also continued a unique trend for UC Davis this season: It has now scored at least 40 points in four games this season. By comparison, the Aggies posted 40 or more on the scoreboard in 10 games from 2012 (its first year in the Big Sky) through 2017.
Football is enjoying its best start to a season since 2004, which means you need to buy your tickets today for the Aggies’ upcoming home game and Idaho State, especially with Brewfest and Homecoming also taking place. Fans can buy their Brewfest ticket package by clicking here, calling (530) 752-AGS1 (2471), or visiting the Athletics Ticket Office at Aggie Stadium Monday-Friday between the hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m.