Aug. 23, 2002

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis football team, currently finishing up its first week of practice for the 2002 season, has picked up lofty preseason rankings from the American Football Coaches Association, D2Football.com and Don Hansen's Football Gazette.

The AFCA and D2Football.com - both which release weekly polls throughout the year - have the Aggies sixth and second, respectively, while Don Hansen's Football Gazette also ranks UC Davis second. The Aggies' opening day opponent on Sept. 7 - Grand Valley State - is ranked No.1 in each poll, just as it is in the three other polls released to date.

Grand Valley State, defending national champion North Dakota, Valdosta State, Pittsburg State and Texas A&M-Kingsville are the five teams ahead of the Aggies in the AFCA poll. Pittsburg State, Valdosta State and North Dakota follow UC Davis in the D2Football.com rankings, while North Dakota, Catawba and Valdosta State round out the top five by Don Hansen's Football Gazette.

Six polls have been released during the 2002 preseason. UC Davis is third in polls by Lindy's and Street & Smith's and is fourth by Sports Illustrated.

Additionally, offensive tackle Forest Vance and wide receiver Michael Oliva

UC Davis opens it season on Sept. 7 at Grand Valley State before returning for home games against Abilene Christian (Sept. 14) and North Dakota State (Sept. 21).

UC Davis is finishing its first week of preseason practice. The team practice once on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before resuming double-day drills on Monday. The annual Blue-Gold scrimmage game is scheduled for Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Toomey Field.
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AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION (top 10)
1. Grand Valley State, Mich.
2. North Dakota
3. Valdosta State, Ga.
4. Pittsburg State, Kan.
5. Texas A&M-Kingsville
6. UC DAVIS
7. Indiana, Pa.
8. Carson-Newman (Tenn.)
9. Saginaw Valley State, Mich.
10. Bloomsburg, Pa.
Complete AFCA Poll
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D2FOOTBALL.COM (top 10)
1. Grand Valley State
2. UC DAVIS
3. Pittsburg State
4. Valdosta\
5. North Dakota
6. Catawba, N.C.
7. Texas A&M-Kingsville
8. Indiana, Pa.
9. Central Arkansas
10. Saginaw Valley St.
Complete D2Football.com Poll
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DON HANSEN'S FOOTBALL GAZETTE (top 10)
1. Grand Valley State
2. UC DAVIS
3. North Dakota
4. Catawba
5. Valdosta St.
6. Pirrsburg State
7. Tarleton State, Texas
8. Saginaw Valley State
9. Tuskegee, Ala.
10. Chadron State, Neb.