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In football's Big Sky season opener, which took place inside Aggie Stadium vs. Idaho on Sept. 22, sophomore biological sciences major Darius Livingston caught his first career touchdown pass. That reception added another six points on the scoreboard for UC Davis and served as a personal milestone for the walk-on wide receiver who is now making a name for himself throughout the league, and is the subject of this week's Inside the Huddle.
 
 
What did it feel like after you saw the linesman throw his hands in the air and officially give the signal for your first touchdown as an Aggie?

"Coming off last year's injury, and redshirting my true freshman year, I felt nothing but pure joy. That was a testimony for all the hard work I invested the last two years, I felt blessed more than anything else.
 
"It was a sweet experience, but I moved on and ready to make the next play, or do whatever the team needs to help it win games. It's back to work."
 
 
How difficult, and challenging was it to sit out last season, especially with your competitive nature?

"It is tough whenever anyone misses games due to an injury. It's not an easy role to accept, but one that was handed to me. I needed to handle it accordingly and face all trials and tribulations head on.
 
"It's just another obstacle for me to overcome; this was a challenge and an opportunity for me to improve. That was the mindset I possessed."
 
 
Everyone will experience adversity at some point of their life. Based on last season's experience, what would you share with others who are dealing with adverse situations of their own?

"Do not have a negative mindset. I could have dwelled on missing last season, and asked 'why me?' but I kept a positive perspective throughout the entire experience. I simply viewed this as an opportunity to become a better person, and student-athlete, by overcoming this obstacle.
 
"It's all about one's mindset, to me. If you start off from a bad place mentally, it is hard to succeed at anything.
 
"I've overcome numerous challenges, and you can too if you put your mind to it."
 
 
What parts of your UC Davis experience would you share with others who are considering attending the fifth-ranked public school in the nation?

"If there is one thing I learned as a walk-on, it is this: you are going to earn an opportunity. It's up to you to prove yourself and take advantage of that opportunity to its fullest potential. I just needed an opportunity to show what I could do."
 
"When you face that opportunity, seize that moment!"
 
 
You and your teammates recently conducted a football skills clinic at Folsom State Prison during the team's bye week. That was an uncommon educational experience for everyone involved, how would you describe that two-hour-long moment?

"It was eye-opening just walking through three different gates simply to enter the facility. Seeing their everyday environment made me feel blessed to have this opportunity to give back to a group of individuals that are often overlooked by society."
 
 
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation.
 
Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
 
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ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.