Oct. 17, 2003

Complete Game Notes

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis begins the second half of its season with its second straight home game, this one being the Aggies' annual homecoming game... The Aggies, who have played three times on the road so far, play four of their final five games at Toomey Field.

UC Davis is also half way in its quest for its 34th consecutive winning season... The Aggies need three more wins to continue their Div. II-record streak after establishing the mark of 32 years in 2001... The Aggies are also tied with West Chester (Pa.) for most consecutive "non-losing" seasons at 33.

Home-cookin' seems to be the flavor of the day for the Aggies, who are 24-3 (.889) during the regular season at Toomey Field since the start of the 1998 season and 26-6 (.813) overall.

The Aggies are also facing this week another team from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference... Last weekend, UC Davis beat Western Oregon and still has Central Washington (Nov. 15) left on the 2003 slate.

The Aggies are 60-16-3 (.778) all-time against teams that currently make up the GNAC; the bulk of that total coming against Humboldt State (41-15-3)... UC Davis is also 6-1 against Central Washington and unbeaten against both Western Washington (6-0) and Western Oregon (7-0).

This weekend's game also leads into the Aggies' second bye week of the season, having taken a break from the schedule on Sept. 27... After a trip to Moraga to face rival Saint Mary's, UC Davis finishes its 'non-playoff' season with three games at Toomey.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. VIKINGS
UC Davis is 7-0 all-time against Western Washington with the teams playing each year beginning in 1997... The Aggies are 3-0 at Toomey Field against the Vikings... The teams have played some wild shootouts, including 2000 (35-28) and 2001 (40-32)... Also included was a close 28-24 Aggie win in 1998. Needing a win in its final game last season to assure its seventh straight NCAA Playoff berth, UC Davis got 308 yards rushing from RB O.J. Swanigan (178 yds) and RB Elihu Vann (130) in a rain-sloshed matchup to beat the Vikings, 14-7... The Aggies rushed for 336 yards in Bellingham last season and finished with 420 yards in total offense.

HEAD COACHES
Aggie Head Coach Bob Biggs (UC Davis '73) is in his 11th year and owns an 93-32-1 (.742) overall record... He is the second-winningest coach in the history of the program and trails only Jim Sochor (156-41-5, .785) at UC Davis... Biggs entered the season tied as the seventh-winningest active coach in Division II - by percentage - and entered the year 23rd in total victories.

Biggs holds an impressive 36-8 (.818) record in games played during October, is 58-15-1 (.791) against Division II teams, and entered the season 43-9-1 (.821) against teams on the 2003 schedule... Biggs is 6-0 against Western Washington, including a 3-0 mark at Toomey Field... Biggs is 62-15 (.805) since the start of the 1998 season and has posted five double-digit wins seasons in his last 10.

ROB SMITH (Whitman '62) is 96-51-1 (.656) and in his 15th year with the Vikings... He has more wins than any other coach in school history and has led Western Washington to five conference championships in the past eight seasons... The Vikings have posted 12 consecutive non-losing seasons under Smith and advanced to the 1999 NCAA Division II Playoffs.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE VIKINGS
Western Washington opened the season with three consecutive losses - and following an OT win against Saint Mary's - has lost two. The Vikings feature a potent offensive attack that is ranked 35th nationally among Div. II teams at 403.8 ypg... It's seventh-ranked passing attack (307.0) has made WR ANDY OLSON one of the nation's leading receivers. His 865 yards are second while his 44 receptions rank him fifth... He's far surpassed his freshman year last season when he had 18 catches for 362 yards. The Vikings have utilized a pair of quarterbacks this season in STEVE NICHOLS and JOSH SHIMEK... Each has seen action in all six games with Nichols (1,051 yds, 10 TDs) garnering most of the numbers... Shimek has (791 yds, 5 TDs) has also played well... The team is rushing for just 96.8 ypg. Defensively, MLB LANN OLSON has a team-high 3.0 sacks while SS ROB WHITE has a team-best 62 tackles... The Vikings have just two interceptions and have recovered just two fumbles. (They're minus-17 in turnovers this season; 21-4). While averaging more than 400 ypg on offense, Western Washington has allowed 441.0 ypg, including 209.2 ypg rushing.

LOVE OF THE LINE
UC Davis sports perhaps one of its best offensive lines ever with this year's experienced, talented - and very large - group... The five starters - which include bookend brothers Cory (6-6, 315) and Brad Lekkerkerker (6-7, 330) at tackle - average 312 pounds.

The remaining three starters - G Forest Vance (6-5, 302), G Eric Troglia (6-4, 315) and C Marc Manfredda (6-3, 300) have started a combined 86 games, including 39 by Vance, 30 by Troglia and 17 by Manfredda... In fact, Vance - a 2002 All-America - has started every game as an Aggie.

DEFENSE TOUGH VS. THE RUSH
The Aggies allowed Western Oregon just seven net rushing yards in last week's 27-7 win over the Wolves, marking the ninth time since the start of last season that UC Davis has held an opponent to less than 100. In fact, the seven yards last week rank just third during that span, following five yards against WWU last year and two yards versus Humboldt State last season. The Aggies are currently ranked 21st (97.8 ypg.) against the rush among Div. II teams. Below is a game-by-game total of the "Rushing Defense's Top 9" the last two years.

Date Opponent Rushes-Yds
Oct. 19 HUMBOLDT ST. 26-2
Nov. 16 at W. Washington 19-5
Oct. 11 W. OREGON 22-7
Nov. 23 at C. Washington 18-30
Sept. 28 at W. Oregon 31-37
Sept. 14 ABILENE CHRISTIAN 38-49
Oct. 5 SACRAMENTO ST. 36-59
Sept. 21 NORTH DAKOTA ST. 27-87
Nov. 9 at C. Washington 40-97

RED ZONE MEANS "SCORE ZONE"
UC Davis has been very proficient when getting into the opponents' 'red zone' (20-yd line or closer)... So far, the Aggies are 16 of 17 (94.1%) with eight touchdowns and five field goals... The only blemish was a missed field goal at Sac State on Oct. 11... The proficiency has accounted for 87 points... Opponents, meanwhile, are 13 of 18 (72.2%) with Sac State going 4 of 4 (all TDs) for the most success against UC Davis.

KICKING UP A LITTLE "DUSTY"
PK Dusty Apocotos continues to be one of the best kickers in the Div. II rankings... His 10 field goals average to 2.0 an outing, placing him No.1 on the list with Jerry Holstrom of Midwestern St. (Texas) and Travis Snyder of Western State (Colo.)... Apocotos has kicked at least one field goal in each game this season, including a pair of career-best 49-yarders.

WHERE THE AGS RANK IN NCAA
A look at where the Aggies are in the Div. II stat rankings: RUSHING DEFENSE - 21st (97.8 ypg); SCORING DEFENSE - 35th (18.2 ppg); TURNOVER MARGIN - 15th (1.2 pg); SCORING - Antar Mahsin (30th, 8.8 ppg); KO RETURNS - Aaron Plunkett (32nd, 25.2 avg.); FG PER GAME - Dusty Apocotos (T1, 2.0 pg); PUNTING - Chris Shibel (32nd, 40.5 avg.); FORCED FUMBLES - Ejiro Evero (17th, 0.4 pg); PASSES DEFENSED - Angelo Caffese (15th, 1.6 pg).

EXPERIENCE ON "D" RETURNS
Five starters return on the Aggies' defense. That's the good news. The better news is two of them - FS Ejiro Evero (76 tackles) and MLB Kelly Valaau (57 tackles) were the top two UC Davis tacklers a year ago. Evero added 4.0 tackles-for-losses while Valaau had 4.5, including a sack. Altogether, six of the top nine defenders are back for the Aggies, which last season allowed just 92.0 ypg rushing, third best in school history.

MR. RIGHT-PLACE-AT-THE-RIGHT-TIME
MLB Justin Patterson has had a knack for being in the right place whenever a lose ball or passed ball has six points written all over it... His 31-yard fumble return for a TD at Texas State on Sept. 20 was the fifth defensive touchdown he has scored in his Aggie career... He has three fumble returns and two interceptions totalling 253 yards... While no official records are kept in that department, the total is believed to be the most in school history... His five career touchdowns are also the third-most among Aggies on this year's team.

Here is a look at "J.P.'s" five touchdowns:
* 23-yd int return vs. N.M. Highlands (2000)
* 67-yd fum return vs. Bloomsburg (2000)
* 66-yd int return at W. Oregon (2002)
* 66-yd fum return vs. Sac St. (2002)
* 31-yd fum return at Texas St. (2003)

AND THEY CALLED IT THE STREAK
UC Davis is on a quest for a 34th consecutive winning season against arguably its toughest schedule... The Aggies hold the Div. II record for consecutive winning campaigns while also tying West Chester (Pa.) last year for most consecutive 'non-losing' seasons... The Golden Rams non-losing streak record went from 1940-73 while their then NCAA-record 31 consecutive winning seasons streak went until 1972. NDSU - which UC Davis beat earlier this season - had a streak of 26 consecutive winning seasons snapped last year after going 2-8.

Other streaks worth noting: UC Davis has not been shut out since losing 19-0 to Cal Poly in the fifth game of the 1990 season... The Aggies have gone 152 games without seeing a goose-egg, although a 14-2 loss to North Dakota in the 2001 NCAA Semis nearly ended that streak... UC Davis had its streak of 74 straight games with at least 10 points snapped against Grand Valley State... Before that, the last time was a 17-7 home loss to South Dakota State in 1997.

The Aggies were held without a TD against Grand Valley State for the first time since losing to North Dakota (14-2) in 2001 - a streak of 12 games - and the first time in a regular-season game since losing to Cal Poly (19-0) in 1990 - a streak of 127 games.

NEW FACES, TEAMS ON SCHEDULE
Texas State and Northern Colorado have never been on the Aggies' regular-season schedule... Three returning opponents, meanwhile, have new coaches. North Dakota State (Craig Bohl), Sacramento State (Steve Mooshagian) and Saint Mary's (Vincent While) are in their first years leading their respective programs.

LOOKING BACK ON WESTERN OREGON
Remembering last week:
* UC Davis had no turnovers and has just one in its last two games.
* CB Angelo Caffese broke up four passes and had his second career interception.
* The Aggies forced 12 punts and forced five straight "three-and-outs" for a total of minus-6 yards... There were 10 "three-and-outs" altogether.
* RB Antar Mahasin had two rushing touchdowns, giving him seven the last three games.
* The Aggies were just 4 of 18 on third down conversion attempts, dipping their season average to 28% (23 of 82).
* WR Aaron Plunkett's 69-yard kickoff return in the first quarter was a career best... He also had five punt returns for 60 yards, including a 23-yarder.
* UC Davis blocked a kick for the fifth straight game, this one a punt that resulted in a touchdown by LB Scott Williams.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
UC Davis has a bye for the second time this season and will use the break to prepare for its final four games, a stretch that begins with a Nov. 1 date at Saint Mary's.

CAPTAINS, HONOR PARADE
UC Davis has four captains this season for the sixth consecutive year... The 2003 team captains are:
* SS Ejiro Evero (also a captain in '02)
* MLB Kelly Valaau
* OL Forest Vance
* QB Ryan Flanigan

The Aggies' coaches also select weekly players of the week:
GRAND VALLEY STATE - Offense: OL Brad Lekkerkerker; Defense: MLB Kelly Valaau; Special Teams: PK Dusty Apocotos; Scout team off: Tim Plough; Scout team def.: James Amos.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE - Offense: RB O.J. Swanigan; Defense: DE Aaron Latzke; Special Teams: LB Dan Elbanna; Scout teamoff: RB BRYAN HARRISON; Scout team def.: LB Josh Yarbrough.

TEXAS STATE - Offense: TE DANIEL FELLS; Defense: FS Ejiro Evero; Special Teams: TE Nolan deGraaff; Scout team off: JOSH HOLLOWAY; Scout team def: Brandon Quinn.

SACRAMENTO STATE - Offense: RB Antar Mahasin & QB Jon Barragan; Defense: DE Jake Mossawir & MLB Kelly Valaau; Special Teams: Nolan deGraaff; Scout team off: TIM KEANE; Scout team def.: Naveen Daftari.

WESTERN OREGON - Offense: RB Antar Mahasin; Defense: CB Angelo Caffese; Special Teams: Aaron Plunkett; Scout off: Kale Turner; Scout def: CHRIS BUCK.

AGGIE OFFENSE
TIGHT END
87 Daniel FELLS (6-3, 225, So., Fullerton, Calif.)
84 Aaron Hines (6-5, 240, RFr., Pacifica, Calif.) OR
83 Nolan de Graaff (6-3, 220, So., Granite Bay, Calif.)

RIGHT TACKLE
71 Brad Lekkerkerker (6-7, 330, Sr., Chino, Calif.)
67 Elliot Vallejo (6-7, 290, RFr, Salinas, Calif.)

RIGHT GUARD
76 Forest Vance (6-5, 302, Sr., Colfax, Calif.)
79 Jeff Anderson (6-1, 290, Jr., Orange, Calif.)

CENTER
58 Marc Manfredda (6-3, 300, Jr., Eureka, Calif.)
64 Michael Wolfson (5-2, 290, Jr., Long Beach, Calif.)

LEFT GUARD
74 Eric Troglia (6-4, 315, Sr., Stockton, Calif.)
79 Jeff Anderson (6-1, 290, Jr., Orange, Calif.)

LEFT TACKLE
68 Cory LEKKERKERKER (6-6, 315, Jr., Chino, Calif.)
77 Kyle SKIERSKI (6-5, 255, RFr, Trabuco Canyon, Calif.)

QUARTERBACK
15 Ryan Flanigan (6-5, 230, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.) OR
4 Jon Barragan (5-10, 165, Sr., San Jose, Calif.)

RUNNING BACK
13 O.J. Swanigan (5-7, 172, So., Elk Grove, Calif.)
35 Antar Mahasin (5-8, 195, Sr., Daly City, Calif.)

RECEIVER
6 Kevin Freeman (5-8, 167, Jr., Oceanside, Calif.)
81 Mo Mortazavi (5-10, 165, Sr., San Rafael, Calif.)

RECEIVER
85 Tony KAYS (6-1, 180, RFr., Elk Grove, Calif.)
10 Billy Zeier (6-2, 200, Sr., Point Richmond, Calif.)

RECEIVER
5 Jesse Oliva (5-10, 180, Jr., Tuolomne, Calif.)
3 Aaron Plunkett (5-10, 165, Jr., Chico, Calif.) OR
19 Brandon Gilmore (6-2, 190, Jr., Alta Loma, Calif.)

AGGIE DEFENSE
LEFT END
62 Aaron Latzke (6-3, 240, Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif.)
99 Kent Sheridan (6-4, 240, Jr., Grass Valley, Calif.)

LEFT TACKLE
47 John Downs (6-5, 260, Sr., Republic, Mo.)
59 Matthew Ngwun (6-2, 280, Fr., Torrance, Calif.)

RIGHT TACKLE
66 Daniel Kim (6-3, 275, Jr., Trespinos, Calif.)
52 Chris Jones (6-1, 255, Sr., Stockton, Calif.)

RIGHT END
91 Jake Mossawir (6-3, 250, Jr., San Jose, Calif.)
66 Tyler BIRKLEY (6-3, 230, RFr., Modesto, Calif.)

SAM BACKER
27 Tom Parisi (6-1, 218, Jr., Rocklin, Calif.)
28 Lewis Burkhart (6-1, 235, Jr., Lake Oswego, Ore.)

MIKE BACKER
42 Kelly Valaau (5-10, 220, Sr., Paso Robles, Calif.)
23 Dan Elbanna (5-11, 210, So., Walnut Creek, Calif.)

WILLIE BACKER
20 Justin Patterson (5-11, 210, Sr., Santa Ana, Calif.)
55 Clayton O'KANE (6-2, 210, RFr., Altadena, Calif.)

LEFT CORNERBACK
24 Michael Penna (6-1, 180, Sr., Aptos, Calif.)
26 Nevan BERGAN (5-10, 168, RFr., San Diego, Calif.)

RIGHT CORNERBACK
32 Angelo Caffese (5-8, 160, Jr., Lodi, Calif.)
7 Jashaun McCOWAN (5-8, 162, Jr., Oxnard, Calif.)

STRONG SAFETY
31 A.J. Avila (6-3, 210, Sr., Seaside, Calif.)
19 Dan Reece (5-11, 200, Jr., Paso Robles, Calif.) or
17 Luis AMARAL (6-3, 200, RFr., Salinas, Calif.)

FREE SAFETY
8 Ejiro Evero (6-0, 195, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
30 Jonathan BARSI (6-0, 195, RFr., Los Altos, Calif.)

SPECIAL TEAMS
HOLD
51 Chris Shibel (6-3, 215, Jr., Hollywood, Calif.)

LONG SNAP
45 Ryan Payne (6-2, 215, RFr., Sonoma, Calif.)

KICK RETURN
6 Kevin Freeman (5-8, 167, Jr., Oceanside, Calif.)
3 Aaron Plunkett (5-10, 165, Jr., Chico, Calif.)
9 Ryan Ramey (6-2, 188, So., Alta Loma, Calif.)

PLACEKICKER
69 Dusty Apocotos (6-1, 195, Jr. Lake Tahoe, Calif.)

PUNTER
51 Chris Shibel (6-3, 215, Jr., Hollywood, Calif.)

PUNT RETURN
5 Jesse Oliva (5-10, 180, Jr., Tuolumne, Calif.)
3 Aaron Plunkett (5-10, 165, Jr., Chico, Calif.)