Aug. 12, 2011
DAVIS, Calif. - With football preseason camp underway, UC Davis is preparing for the 2011 schedule and the final year in the Great West Conference. In anticipation of the season opener at Arizona State, the Aggies will have a position-by-position preview leading up to the Sept. 1 kickoff. Today the quarterbacks are featured.
With a successful freshman campaign under his belt, the quarterback position starts with sophomore Randy Wright. As a redshirt freshman he led UC Davis to a 6-5 season in 2010, when the Aggies improved to win the final three games of the year. Wright managed to show significant improvement as well during the course of the season. During the final three games, he passed for 286 yards at North Dakota, 302 yards at Cal Poly and helped grind out a rain-soaked, one-point win over Sacramento State after two touchdown passes. Wright combined to tally eight touchdown passes and surrender just two interceptions in that time.
"As he gained experience, as he understood defenses, as the game slowed down for him, he could be accurate and be quicker with his reads and quicker with the ball," said head coach Bob Biggs. "When you get live snaps against quality opponents you learn things that can't be coached."
Wright was named the Great West Conference Rookie of the Year after tossing for 2,432 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. His passing average of 221.1 yards per game was second among Great West QBs. Wright was the first Rookie of Year recipient since receiver Chris Carter in 2006 and the first redshirt freshman in a decade to start at QB.
Despite the postseason accolades that poured in, Wright was not satisfied with a 6-5 record and continued to work during the offseason. The Santa Rosa native has put on 10 pounds since last fall, now weighing in at 195 with a 6-foot-3 frame. A solid showing in spring practices and summer workouts with teammates has allowed Wright to assume more of a leadership role.
"Randy has taken over as the unrivaled leader on the team on the offensive side," said coach Biggs. "He can feel comfortable in that position and he's accepted that role."
The number two spot is less defined at this point, as senior Sean Maraz and Junior Austin Heyworth will compete for the chance to backup Wright. Maraz is in his fifth year with the program and his leadership and tutelage of Wright has proved to be invaluable. Heyworth has been the backup for the past two seasons, appearing in three games each year. In 2010, he played in three games and completed three passes for 23 yards.
The coaching staff likes the arm strength of both Maraz and Heyworth. The Aggie players and coaches would feel confident to win games with either player.
Redshirt freshman London Lacy (6-3, 198) is continuing to improve his skill set and has potential to move up in the depth chart. Should he continue to progress at the same rate, coaches believe he can be the quarterback of the future for UC Davis. Justin Nunes, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman from Upland also joined the program this season.
Assistant coach Tim Plough will direct the quarterbacks for the third consecutive season, while also taking on the position of passing game coordinator. Under Plough's direction, Wright's leadership and maturity are improving and lining up with what the coaching staff is asking.
With a young group of talented skill positions available to the offense, opposing defenses should have their hands full with quarterback Randy Wright and the Aggie offense in 2011.
Season tickets are on sale and available through the campus Ticket Office at (530) 752-1915 or by visiting ucdavisaggies.com.
Position-By-Position Preview Schedule:
Offensive Line - Monday, Aug. 8
Defensive Line - Wednesday, Aug. 10
Quarterbacks - Friday, Aug. 12
Linebackers - Monday, Aug. 15
Wide Receivers - Wednesday, Aug. 17
Defensive Backs - Friday, Aug. 19
Running Backs - Monday, Aug. 22
Tight Ends - Wednesday, Aug. 24
Special Teams - Friday, Aug. 26
