Nov. 8, 2008
Final Stats
DAVIS, Calif. - Tony Washington caught three touchdown passes, including two in the first quarter, as Sacramento State beat UC Davis for the first time since 1999 with a 29-19 win before a sellout crowd at Aggie Stadium on Saturday in the 55th annual Causeway Classic, delivered by AT&T.
The victory snapped a four-game winning streak for the Aggies who also lost for the first time in six home games this season. UC Davis, which fell to 5-5, was led by 114 rushing yards from Joe Trombetta, 307 passing yards from quarterback Greg Denham and 139 all-purpose yards and a touchdown from receiver Chris Carter. Linebacker Mike Morales paced the defense with 10 tackles.
The Hornets won for the second straight week, evening their record at 5-5. Quarterback Jason Smith threw for 209 yards and three scores before leaving with injury while running back Bryan Hilliard had 95 rushing yards on 32 carries. Linebacker Kevin Moore and defensive back Robert Virgil each had eight tackles for the Hornets with Moore adding a sack.
Sacramento State never trailed in the game, scoring twice in a little more than eight minutes to start the game, taking an early 15-0 lead. Washington's 29-yard touchdown catch in the right side of the end zone capped a game-opening 72-yard drive and helped stake the Hornets - who ran in a misplayed extra-point try for two points - to an early 8-0 lead.
After holding the Aggies on downs during their first possession, Sacramento State went 65 yards on six plays, scoring when Smith hit Robinson in stride down the left sideline for another score and a 15-0 advantage. UC Davis answered on its ensuing drive, going 60 yards on 10 plays, finishing it off with Dean Rogers' one-yard touchdown late in the quarter, his third score over the past two games.
Trailing 15-7, the Aggies got closer when Carter took an end-around and went 23 yards for a score along the far sideline early in the second quarter, bringing UC Davis to within two. A two-point pass attempt, though, was thwarted and Sacramento State led 15-13. Smith gave the Hornets a 22-13 halftime lead when he snuck across from a yard with 3:32 remaining.
Washington's third touchdown catch - this time from two yards - made it 29-13 with 11:47 left in the third before Grant's short scoring grab with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter provided the final margin.
UC Davis had three turnovers in the second half, including a fumble and two interceptions, punted twice and turned the ball over on downs. Despite being stifled by the Hornets' defense, the Aggies held advantages in total yards (451-301) and first downs (27-17). They were also 7 of 15 on third down, compared to just 4 of 12 by Sacramento State.
"I give (Sacramento State) full credit," said UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs. "When you look at it statistically we look like we should have won the game by a touchdown or two but that's where statistics often time don't tell the whole story.
"Once they got the early lead, particularly on defense, they were able to get into their game plan," he added, "that is, not give up the big play and make us kind of earn our way down the field and we didn't capitalize on some fourth downs inside the 35-yard line. That hurt us."
UC Davis was held to just 1 for 5 on fourth down.
Smith completed 13 of 24 passes for his 209 yards while Chase Deadder had a team-high five receptions and 86 yards. Washington, who had three touchdowns among his four total catches, finished with 81 yards.
Trombetta returned for the first time after missing the last two games with injury, carrying the ball 19 times for 114 yards with a long of 15. Denham completed 27 of 48 passes for his third consecutive 300-yard game, but was intercepted twice.
Morales' 10 stops marked his second double-digit effort of the year and fifth of his career. He was one of six Agges who had tackles-for-losses. Hornets linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo and safety Peter Buck had interceptions with Buck's ending a late-game UC Davis drive.
The Hornets win snapped an eight-game winning streak in the Causeway Classic by UC Davis which last lost to Sacramento State 48-27 in 1999. The Aggies lead the overall series 39-17, including a matchup in the 1988 NCAA playoffs.
UC Davis returns to action next Saturday when it travels to face Cal Poly for the Great West Conference championship. Both teams will enter with 2-0 league marks.
