UC Davis football: Porter Connors named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week

This story was initially published by UC Davis Athletics

Junior linebacker Porter Connors’ career day in UC Davis football’s season opener at California has earned him Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career.

The Aggie junior finished with a career-high 13 tackles, one sack and he recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the opening quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Connors’ score was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown by an Aggie since 2019.

Connors becomes the first Aggie to earn a conference weekly award in the opening weekend since 2018 (Ulonzo Gilliam) and he picks up where former Aggie linebacker Teddye Buchanan left off being named Big Sky co-defensive Player of the Week to end the 2023 season. Connors also becomes the first Aggie to earn the Big Sky weekly defensive nod on his own since Buchanan did it on Oct. 31, 2022.

The Aggies open UC Davis Health Stadium on Sept. 7 with a 7 p.m. kickoff against Texas A&M-Commerce.

HAVE A DAY PORTER!

Following a top day at Cal, which included a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Porter Connors has been named the @BigSkyConf Defensive Player of the Week!!

🗞️ – https://t.co/gWo8SOKcwP#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/Gkq0LTwURc

— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 2, 2024

More on UC Davis Football

The short story: No. 18 UC Davis’ afternoon in Berkeley, Calif., started off with a bang, but California used the second half to eventually pull away from the Aggies to taking the season opener.

FIRST DOWN

• Senior running back Lan Larison led the way 62 yards on the ground, scoring one rushing touchdown
• Porter Connors finished with a career-high and game-high 13 tackles, scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery and adding one sack
• Redshirt junior linebacker David Meyer added 12 tackles junior defensive back Rex Connors mad 11 stops to give the Aggies three defenders with double digit tackles
• Senior wide receiver C.J. Hutton finished with game highs in receptions (seven), and receiving yards (68)
• Junior wide receiver Samuel Gbatu Jr., racked up a game-high 92 total all-purpose yards, receiving 53 yards and returning 39 in the kicking game
• Senior quarterback Miles Hastings finished with 221 yards passing going 22-for-48

More on UC Davis vs. Cal:

No. 18 UC Davis football starts fast, but falls at Cal 31-13

This story was initially published by UC Davis Athletics

Upcoming UC Davis Football Schedule

• Saturday, September 7th vs. Texas A&M Commerce – 7:00 pm PDT
• Saturday, September 14h @ Southern Utah – 5:00 pm PDT
• Saturday, September 21st  vs.  Utah Tech – 7:00 pm PDT
• Saturday,  September 28th vs. Idaho –  7:00 pm PDT
• Saturday, October 5th @ Portland State – 1:00 pm PDT

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