Nov. 17, 2002
DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis will make its seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Football Championships when the 14th-ranked Aggies travel to face unbeaten fifth-ranked Central Washington in a first-round matchup Saturday at noon in Ellensburg.
UC Davis, 8-2 after finishing the regular season on Saturday with a 14-7 win at Western Washington, is seeded fourth in the NCAA West Region. Top-seeded Central Washington finished the regular season with an 11-0 record after beating the Aggies, 38-14, on Nov. 9 in Ellensburg.
The other first-round game in the West will feature second-seeded Nebraska-Kearney (9-1) hosting third-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville (8-2). Winners of the two West Region games will meet next week.
UC Davis is making its 18th appearance in the tournament, the most in Division II history.
The Aggies and Wildcats are familiar foes after having squared off last week. In that matchup, Central Washington quarterback Zak Hill threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns, while receiver Brian Potucek had 10 catches for 180 yards and a pair of scores. The Aggies led the game in the second quarter, 14-7, but the Wildcats scored 31 unanswered points in the victory.
The loss forced UC Davis into a 'must-win' matchup at Western Washington on Saturday and the Aggies responded with a hard-fought 14-7 win in rainy and windy conditions. Running backs O.J. Swanigan (178 yards) and Elihu Vann (130) combined for more than 300 yards, each also scoring on short touchdown runs. The defense, meanwhile, held the Vikings to just five rushing yards. The victory delivered UC Davis its seventh straight playoff berth, the longest active streak in Division II. The Aggies have reached the NCAA Semifinals four of the past six years, including the last two. Eventual national champion North Dakota eliminated the Aggies, 14-2, in last year's semis.
"This is one of the most fulfilling seasons," said UC Davis coach Bob Biggs, who has now led the Aggies to the playoffs eight times. "Given the lower expectations and a tough schedule, for the team to finish 8-2 and make it into the playoffs is tremendous. I'm happy for this group of players."
Central Washington features one of the most high-powered offenses in Division II, averaging 478.5 ypg, including 317.5 ypg through the air, as well as 39.6 ppg. Hill has thrown for 2,422 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. Potucek is the team's leading receiver, having hauled in 77 catches for 1,175 yards and 11 scores. Running back Willie Johnson has 891 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.
UC Davis is averaging 427.3 ypg in total offense, including 199.0 on the ground. The Aggies are allowing just 78.7 ypg rushing and 291.4 total yards. Running back Matt Massari has 1,204 rushing yards, quarterback Ryan Flanigan has thrown for 1,750 yards and 18 touchdowns, and senior Michael Oliva has 806 receiving yards on 50 catches.
UC Davis has never won a national championship in football. The Aggies appeared in the 1982 NCAA Final and have advanced to the semifinals seven times.
Complete NCAA Pairings at http://www.ncaachampionships.com
