Sept. 5, 2003

DAVIS, Calif. - After establishing itself as one of the elite NCAA Division II football programs - evidenced by a record 33 consecutive winning campaigns - it'll be a season of change for UC Davis in 2003 as the Aggies begin turning their attention away from the land of Division II and toward the world of Division I-AA.

The Aggies began that season this Saturday with a 6 p.m. matchup at Toomey Field against the Grand Valley State (Mich.), the defending NCAA Division II champion.

The four-year provisional process - in which UC Davis will transition from Division II rules and scheduling to those of Division I - is designed to provide the foundation for life in Division I, which officially starts in 2007. The Aggies are no strangers to Division I-AA competition, usually facing at least four such opponents a season. Likewise, success against Division I-AA programs has been just as familiar with UC Davis compiling an impressive 16-3 record versus I-AA opponents since the start of the 1998 season.

This season promises to help prepare the Aggies for the road ahead. The 2003 schedules is perhaps the toughest in school history, featuring Division I-AA foes Cal Poly, Saint Mary's, rival Sacramento State and newcomer Texas State, along with Grand Valley State, and preseason No.1 Central Washington. Toss in perennially tough Division II programs North Dakota State and Western Washington, along with fellow provisional member Northern Colorado, and the table is set for another challenging year for the Aggies.

UC Davis, however, is ready for the challenge. With nine returning starters back on offense and defense from last year's team which finished 9-3 overall and advanced to the Division II postseason for the seventh consecutive year, the Aggies will be ready for the challenges awaiting their first year of transition to Division I-AA.

Gone to the NFL is Michael Oliva, the program's all-time leading receiver (3,379 career yards), as well as standout running back Matt Massari (1,274 yards, 11 TD's in '02), but senior quarterback Ryan Flanigan (2,397 yards, 20 TD's) and sophomore running back O.J. Swanigan (491 yards) will help shoulder the load. Defensively, five starters have graduated - including end B.J. Brust (7.5 sacks), linebacker Dominic Ghio (56 tackles) and cornerback Carnell Green (2 int's.) - but free safety Ejiro Evero and middle linebacker Kelly Valaau are back after leading the team with 76 and 57 tackles, respectively.

Expectations remain high for UC Davis in 2003, but so does anticipation as the Aggies begin moving to a new life as a member of Division I-AA.

OFFENSE
Yardage has been anything but in short supply for UC Davis in recent years and 2002 was no exception. The Aggies averaged 425.6 ypg last season, including 178.6 ypg on the ground and 247.0 ypg through the air. That yardage provided the backbone for an offense that averaged 30.7 ppg, scoring at least 60 points once and at least 30 points six times.

While Oliva and Massari were vital components of that offensive machine, UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs knows he has the personnel for the Aggies to be just as effective. Much of that personnel in 2003 is up front with an offensive line that averages more than 300 pounds a person and features both experience and talent. Three starters return on the line, but two will be in new positions.

Forest Vance (6-5, 302, Sr.) - one of four team captains - has started at tackle during each of his 38 career games at UC Davis, earning Associated Press Little All-America third-team honors last year as well as All-America accolades from D2Football. com. But this season brings about change for the senior from nearby Colfax, who'll make the transition to guard, allowing the Aggies to capitalize even more on his speed and size. Vance moves down the line to replace Marc Manfredda (6-3, 300, Jr.), who moves from his guard spot to center, replacing graduated captain Chris Maben. Manfredda, named the team's winner of the T. Palmer Moody Award as outstanding sophomore last season, started all 12 games for UC Davis in 2002. The other guard spot will be occupied by Eric Troglia (6-4, 315, Sr.), who started each of the Aggies' 12 games last season and has started in 25 straight overall.

The tackle spots will be "Lekkerkerker" bookends as brothers Brad (6-7, 330, Sr.) and Cory (6-6, 315, Jr.) anchor the ends of each line. Brad, who did not play high school football but was a JC All-American at Chaffey College in Southern California, played in all 12 games last season, starting both in the playoffs. Cory was an All-Foothill Conference player at Chaffey alongside his brother, but redshirted his first year with the Aggies.

Returning letterwinner Jeff Anderson will provide depth at guard while a host of newcomers will backup the rest of the line.

The quarterback position - perennially one of the Aggies' best - was a competition amongst four Aggies last season before Flanigan emerged as the starter after the opener at Grand Valley State. The senior from Carmichael capitalized on the opportunity, completing 66 percent of his passes for 2,397 yards and 20 touchdowns, while tossing just 10 interceptions.

Flanigan finished fourth in Division II with a passing rating of 163.4 and highlighted his junior season with a career-high 381 passing yards in the Aggies' tough playoff loss at Texas A&M-Kingsville. He's added to his 6-foot-5 frame this season, bulking up from 215 to 230 pounds. Flanigan was also named co-winner of the team's Coaches' Award as most improved player and will be a team captain this season.

Senior Jon Barragan, who has seen limited action the past three seasons, is an effective scrambler and will back up Flanigan while Andrew Zelinksi, who transferred from Cal last season, is also high on the depth chart.

Oliva finished his outstanding career as the program's all-time leading receiver, eclipsing records for yards (3,379) and touchdowns (37) held by former teammates Charley Enos and John Shoemaker, respectively. Only one of the Aggies' top seven receivers from last season returns, but Biggs is still confident in his weapons. Junior Kevin Freeman proved to be an effective scorer on the ground and through the air. He rushed for a pair of touchdowns while also catching passes for five more. He finished with 281 receiving yards on 20 catches, averaging 14.1 yards a catch. He'll start at the slot position and be backed up by Oliva's younger brother, Jesse, as well as junior Aaron Plunkett. Oliva will also see time at the other wideout position.

Senior Billy Zeier caught six passes - and threw for one more - in 2002, earning the program's Jim Ferrier Award as outstanding transfer. Zeier will compete at wide receiver with Nolan deGraaff (6-3, 220) and Jason Y?klich (6-4, 195) - the latter of whom transferred from Arizona State last year.

Senior Mo Mortazavi, who has been part of the Aggies' program since 1999, will also compete at wideout this season. He has just one career catch but possesses the speed necessary to make the other receiving position a likely target for Flanigan. Sophomore Ryan Smith, an all-state receiver at St. Joseph's High School in Santa Maria, will also see action this season along with sophomore Ryan Ramey and transfer Brandon Gilmore.

UC Davis looked to Massari last season for a large portion of its running duties and Massari responded by carrying the ball 210 times for a career-best 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a long touchdown run of 89 yards. But Massari, despite being a sophomore athletically, earned enough academic units and graduated.

The Aggies, however, found a jewel in sophomore O.J. Swanigan from nearby Laguna Creek High School and he enjoyed a strong season as a redshirt freshman. Swanigan, who had a career-best 31 carries for 178 yards during a crucial late-season win at Western Washington, finished second on the team with 491 yards and five touchdowns. The 5-7, 172-pound Swanigan also caught eight passes, scoring once. Junior Jared Ferrari (6-0, 201) missed last year due to injury but did see action as a sophomore in 2001. He'll back up Swanigan along with a group that includes junior Jerron Cannon (5-9, 180), senior Antar Mahasin (5-8, 195) and true freshman Nelson Doris (6-0, 205).

DEFENSE
To many of those following UC Davis, the Aggies have been synonymous with offense. However, just as strong and unforgiving has been the defense which last year gave up an average of just 18.6 ppg, only 92.0 ypg on the ground and three times held opponents to seven points or less - including just six points in the Aggies' impressive 24-6 playoff win at unbeaten Central Washington.

Five starters return for the defense in 2003 as well as end Pila Fatukala - who started in 2001 before sitting out the 2002 campaign because of an injury. The line should again be a strength - and combined with experience at linebacker and in the backfield - should once again be an asset for the Aggies.

Up front, Fatukala (6-3, 229, So.) returns this season after collecting 47 tackles, a team-high eight sacks and 11.5 tackles-for-losses in 2001. He also forced a fumble and broke up a pair of passes. The Aggies will utilize his speed at right end position while relying on senior Aaron Latzke (6-3, 240), who will start on the left side. Latzke finished the year with 40 tackles, was second on the team with 10 TFLs and a trio of sacks. Latzke also forced a fumble and recovered one as well during his junior season. Jake Mossawir (6-3, 250), the other co-winner of the team's most improved player award, had 5.5 sacks for the Aggies last season and will play behind Latzke. Redshirt freshman Tyler Birkley (6-3, 230) will add depth behind Fatukala.

The Aggies graduated senior tackles Josh Vavao (35 tackles) and Ryan Cacanando (28 tackles) but return key experience to the positions. John Downs (6-5, 260, Sr.) had a sack and a trio of TFL's for UC Davis last season and may also see time at the end position. He'll start at one defensive tackle position alongside Daniel Kim (6-3, 275, Sr.), who last season played in 10 games.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Porter (6-2, 258), freshman Matthew Ngwun (6-2, 280) and senior Chris Jones (6-1, 255) should also see action on the interior.

Valaau (5-10, 220) was the Aggies' second-leading tackler last season, collecting 57 tackles from his middle linebacker position. Valaau, who missed a pair of games because of injury, is another team captain for UC Davis this season. He was named honorable mention All-Independent Football Alliance last year after compiling nine tackles in three different games.

Justin Patterson (5-10, 220), a second-team All-IFA pick, is slated to fill one of the outside linebacking positions after finishing seventh on the team with 42 total tackles. Patterson, however, holds another distinction as he is one of the most prolific defensive scorers in school history. Last season, he had a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown against Western Oregon and then added a 66-yard fumble recovery for a score the following week against rival Sacramento State. He also returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns in 2001, giving him four for his career. Dan Reece (5-11, 200, Jr.) has been a strong safety for the Aggies but should also see time at linebacker with Patterson.

Tom Parisi (6-1, 218, Jr.) played in 11 games last season at weakside linebacker, finishing the year with 15 tackles. He'll begin 2003 as starter. Lewis Burkhart (6-1, 235) will back up Parisi, redshirt freshman Clayton O'Kane (6-2, 200) is among those also behind Patterson and Reece, while Dan Elbanna (5-11, 210) - named the team's outstanding freshman in 2002 - will provide depth behind Valaau, as will redshirt freshman Tim Nelson (6-0, 223). Elbanna made the most of his time while filling in for Valaau last year, earning national Div. II defensive honors after 14 tackles, an interception, a sack and a blocked punt in the Causeway Classic.

The defensive backfield lost standout senior Carnell Green to graduation, but safeties Ejiro Evero (6-0, 195) and A.J. Avila (6-3, 210) return to their starting roles. Evero - another captain for UC Davis - was named honorable mention All-America by Don Hansen's Football Gazette after leading UC Davis with 76 total tackles. Included in that total were 44 solos to go with five pass breakups and a recovered fumble.

Avila started every game last season except for the Causeway Classic, finishing fifth with 50 total tackles, 2.5 TFL's and a pair of sacks. He had two interceptions and has 80 career tackles. Reece had 35 total tackles while at strong safety last season, adding 3.5 TFLs. Sophomore Brandon Quinn will also be at strong safety while redshirt freshman Jonathan Barsi will back up Evero. Redshirt freshman Luis Amaral (6-3, 200) will also see time at free safety and strong safety.

A cornerback spot is ready for Derick Daniels (6-0, 195), who was an All-Big Sky honorable mention selection at Idaho State in 2001 before transferring to UC Davis. Daniels, who prepped at nearby Roseville High School, had 55 tackles for the Bengals during his only season in Pocatello.

Junior Angelo Caffese (5-8, 160) saw action in 10 games last year, picking up his first career interception against Central Washington in the first round of the playoffs. Nevan Bergan (5-10, 168), a redshirt freshman from San Diego, is also in the group backing up the corners. Jashaun McCowan (5-8, 162), a highly touted transfer from Ventura College, is expected to compete for playing time as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Dusty Apocotos (6-1, 195, Sr.) was named co-winner of the team's most outstanding special teams player along with Reece after converting 45 of 48 PATs and seven field goals. The left-footed Apocotos highlighted his season with a pair of field goals against Texas A&M-Kingsville in the playoffs, including a 35-yarder in the final seconds of regulation that forced overtime.

He ranks fourth on the school's single-season list for PATs made and is fifth for attempts. Apocotos had a season-best 44-yard field goal against Western Oregon. Chris Shibel (6-3, 215, Jr.), a converted linebacker, has averaged 40.8 yards a punt through his first two seasons, including finishing eighth in Division II last year with a 41.3 avg. He pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 14 times and had six touchbacks. Shibel was named to the All-IFA first team.

Jesse Oliva and Aaron Plunkett (5-10, 165, Jr.) will go deep for the Aggies on punts this year while Ryan Ramey (6-2, 188, So.) will return kickoffs with Plunkett. Plunkett had 13 returns for 239 yards while Ramey had one for 30.

Freeman can also return kicks after a standout year deep last season. He had a 96-yard return for a touchdown against Western Oregon and averaged 23.4 yards a kickoff return, the highest for an Aggies since 1997.