Position Preview: Confidence Defines Aggies’ Special Teams Unit

As UC Davis prepares for the 2026 season, the Aggies enter with experience at several important spots alongside new faces stepping into key roles.

BY UC DAVIS ATHLETICS

Aug 26, 2026, 8:06 AM Updated: 12:10 pm

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2026 UC Davis football preview: Special Teams

Special teams can change a game in an instant through field position, timely execution and explosive plays.

A well-placed punt can pin an opponent deep. A clean operation can turn a late drive into points. One crease in the return game can immediately shift field position and momentum.

As UC Davis prepares for the 2026 season, the Aggies enter with experience at several important spots alongside new faces stepping into key roles within the unit.

“Our group is going to be a group that hangs its hat on its work ethic, and we are a group that’s going to play with a lot of confidence,” special teams coordinator Cody vonAppen said.

That group includes veteran long snapper Joseph Adema, sophomore long snapper Conner Hergert and junior punter Dylan Mauro, along with a collection of young specialists preparing to contribute.

The most established returning specialist is Mauro, who handled nearly all of the Aggies’ punting responsibilities during his first season in Davis.

Mauro punted 40 times for 1,774 yards in 2025, averaging 44.4 yards per attempt. Nine of those punts traveled at least 50 yards, 13 landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and 16 resulted in fair catches. His season included a career-long 67-yard punt against Southern Utah and a 58-yard average against Idaho State.

Mauro also contributed beyond traditional punts. He completed his only passing attempt for 27 yards and converted a two-point attempt on the ground against Southern Utah, giving UC Davis another option when an opportunity presents itself.

The Aggies also return Adema, who provided consistency throughout the 2025 season. The senior served as the primary long snapper on field goals, point-after attempts and punts, giving UC Davis an experienced presence at a position where precision and reliability are essential.

Hergert adds another option at long snapper as the Aggies continue building depth throughout the specialist group.

Placekicker represents the unit’s largest transition following the departure of Hunter Ridley. Ridley accounted for a team-leading 89 points last season, converting 14 field goals and 47 point-after attempts.

UC Davis’ group of kickers includes sophomore kicker and punter Tyler Hughes, sophomore Missouri transfer Robert “Robbie” Meyer and freshman Daniel Amoako, a product of Summit High School in the Inland Empire. While the group is young in terms of collegiate game experience, fall camp provided each player with opportunities to perform under pressure and establish consistency.

“Our job is to recruit and develop young men to reach their potential,” vonAppen said. “I think you do that by connecting with them on and off the field—just being there for them, mentoring them throughout and creating a culture where they can be themselves and do their best work.”

Watch the full special teams preview on the UC Davis Athletics social media channels.

UC Davis opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Aggies visit Portland State.

BUY 2026 SINGLE GAME TICKETS

Single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seats for any of UC Davis’ six home games today.

BUY 2026 MINI PLANS

Mini Plans offer a great way to save by bundling multiple games. Choose from two different options and select the games that fit your schedule.

Both Mini Plan options include the Montana game and allow fans to add one or two additional home games at a discounted rate compared to purchasing single-game tickets. All Mini Plan seats are located in Sections 119 or 125 on the west side of UC Davis Health Stadium.

BUY 2026 SEASON TICKETS

Season tickets start at just $100 for new alumni (2017–26 UC Davis graduates) and $140 for the general public. Season ticket holders also receive a variety of exclusive benefits, including priority access to postseason tickets, select away games and parking.

Additional benefits include a dedicated Aggie Ticket Representative, flexible payment plan options and invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events. Purchase your season tickets today. For more information, email the Aggie Ticket Office at aggietickets@ucdavis.edu or call (530) 752-2471.

BUY 2026 GROUP TICKETS

Group ticket discounts begin with just 10 tickets and provide the perfect opportunity for company outings, family gatherings, birthday celebrations and more.

Create a memorable birthday experience with a player high-five tunnel or reserve a turnkey tailgate space for your group before kickoff. Call the Aggie Ticket Office at (530) 752-2471 to customize an unforgettable game-day experience.

BUY 2026 TAILGATE/PARKING SPOTS

For more information about purchasing tailgating or parking for the 2026 season, contact the ticketing office at (530) 304-1433.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS

UC Davis, ranked No. 2 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal in the value of a college degree, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked top in the United States in agriculture and forestry as well as No. 1 in veterinary medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.