Dan Hawkins: UC Davis football ‘pretty much have to win out’ to make the postseason
Oct 11, 2023, 10:44 AM
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA- OCTOBER 07: Head coach Dan Hawkins of the UC Davis Aggies looks on during a game against the Montana Grizzlies at UC Davis Health Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Davis, California. (Photo by Tommy Martino/University of Montana/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tommy Martino/University of Montana/Getty Images)
Dan Hawkins, head coach of UC Davis football, joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross on Wednesday morning to discuss their recent loss to Montana, what they need to do to make the postseason, the play of quarterback Miles Hastings, and more.
Hawkins’ Aggies currently sit at 3-3, with their most recent showing being a 31-23 loss. Game-changing turnovers, specifically fumbles, left Coach wanting more from his special teams unit.
“We struggled on special teams. Normally, we’re pretty good there, but we did not do well, so that was a lot of it,” he said. “Our defense played pretty close to dominating at times. But, boy, third and long, we struggled with third and long. Situational football there. We’re trying to shake a few things up this week and see if we can’t get out of the ‘Hey, you were close’ mode.”
Expect to see some changes from UC Davis football moving forward. Hawkins views their newfound required desperation as a potential positive. “The advantage is that you’re backs are against the wall, and if you want to go to the playoffs, then you pretty much have to win out,” he said. “So, we’re in that mode right now. It’s a one-game elimination, so you better put your best foot forward every day to try to get there.”
Dynamic running back Lan Larison has returned to practice in a limited fashion. He went down with a knee injury in their week four loss to Eastern Washington, but “he’s close,” according to Hawkins. UC Davis football continues on Saturday, October 14th, at Weber State.
Other topics discussed include:
- Quarterback Miles Hastings’s recent play: “He got us in a lot of really good plays”
- Previewing their matchup with Weber St.
- Placing significant value in special teams
- Hawkins’ plans to change “a little bit of everything”
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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