Aug. 22, 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 running backs are featured.
The biggest storyline in fall camp to this point has been the improvement of UC Davis' run game. The Aggies have been a top offensive performer in the Great West the past several years but haven't overpowered opponents by running the ball. In 2011, UC Davis will have continued commitment to its rush offense with a much higher potential for execution.
"We're very excited about our run game this season," said head coach Bob Biggs. "We have more quickness, more speed and more agility. Josh Reese and Nick Aprile will be our tough nosed runners but we also have some guys that at any time can break a play for big yardage."
The depth at running back looks improved from recent seasons, with a mix of resurgent veterans and up-and-coming underclassmen. The top players on the depth chart should see less carries in an attempt to prevent injury and keep all the running backs fresh.
Senior captain Josh Reese (6-0, 196) has been the starting tail back and will continue to be the go-to-guy for carries this season. Last year he battled through injuries to record 317 rushing yards on 82 carries. Reese was second on the team in all-purpose yards after 163 receiving and 373 on kick returns. For his career Reese has 870 rushing yards, 378 receiving yards and seven combined touchdowns.
Junior Nick Aprile (6-1, 212) will be in a more versatile role this year. Last year he was the team's leading rusher with 99 carries, 389 rush yards and six touchdowns. This season he will play as a tail back, full back and receiver. Aprile started his career as a defensive back but last season was used as a return specialist and the carrier in the Aggies' variation of the Wildcat formation.
Redshirt freshman Colton Silveria (5-10, 210) has been the most improved of the running backs and will have a chance to be the starter at tail back. He stayed healthy all through spring drills and has continued to come along during the fall. Silveria attended Central Valley High School, rushing for 678 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year, despite being limited to just seven games due to injury.
Junior Marquis Nicolis (5-8, 175) is another player that has been nicked up in recent years. Last season he appeared in six games as a reserve and amassed 53 rushing yards on 11 carries, to go along with six receptions for 38 yards. Nicolis has looked impressive in fall camp and should be included in several run packages as a reserve this season.
Redshirt freshman Austin Edmonson (5-8, 180) has continued to climb the depth chart and will also get some carries this season. The coaching staff likes his quickness, his ability with the ball out in space and his instincts as a blocker. Another redshirt freshman that has shown potential is Jonathan Maricic (5-11, 208). All three redshirt freshman could be part of a rotation at running back this season.
The Aggies brought in two freshman running backs, Tavior Mowry (5-9, 190) and Courtney Williams (5-9, 195). Both players will likely redshirt this season.
At fullback UC Davis will start true freshman Mark Martindale (6-3, 255). Coaches believe that Martindale will get the most playing time of any true freshman this season. He was also see some time as a tight end.
Aprile will also factor into the position but redshirt freshman Dalton Turay (5-10, 208) will be listed as the backup at fullback. Sophomore Giovanni Javier (6-4, 240) has been sidelined by injuries but will look to be a contributor this season.
Assistant coach Tim Keane will direct the running backs this season. With more of a balanced approach, the run game has shown vast improvements with added explosiveness that the 2011 Aggies will look to utilize in an already accomplished offense.
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
