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Witness History Firsthand, Click to Purchase Tickets for Football's Inaugural FCS Home Playoff Game

DAVIS, Calif. – What started back in August, when UC Davis earned its third victory versus a FBS program, continued through its 100th season of football with a six-game win streak, an undefeated home record, two top-10 national rankings and a FCS playoff appearance, all historic firsts for the football program.

Add an overflowing trophy case that includes hardware from the Battle for the Golden Horseshoe, Causeway Classic, and for the first time in program history, a Big Sky Championship trophy, the decision for conference officials was an easy one to select Dan Hawkins as Coach of the Year.

"These awards are a result of working at a great place, with great leadership that facilitates success," said Hawkins. "We have an amazing staff and special student-athletes.

"You cannot achieve excellence by yourself. There are a thousand invisible moments that occur each and every day by everyone associated with UC Davis football. I am humbled with this award, and pleased to accept it on behalf of everyone associated with one of the great academic, and athletic programs in the country. This is recognition for a job well done by everyone within UC Davis Athletics, and still continuing. Go Ags!"

This is the first time an Aggie was named Coach of the Year. Wednesday's announcement took place less than 24 hours after UC Davis received a program-record 12 All-Big Sky awards, a collection of honors that also includes Offensive Player of the Year (junior quarterback Jake Maier this season, Keelan Doss last year) for the second consecutive season.

In just his second season leading his alma mater's football program, Hawkins took a 2-9 team and turned it into one that finished the 2018 regular season with nine overall and seven league victories, both program records.

With Hawkins on the sidelines, UC Davis also earned its first-ever top 25 ranking. And once the Aggies earned a spot on the national media poll, they continued to climb up in on a weekly basis, reaching as high as No. 4. and ranked for 11 weeks entering postseason play.

A combination of their ranking, performance on a weekly basis, overall and league records, quality of schedule and wins allowed the Aggies to earn a No. 6 seed from the NCAA FCS Playoff Committee, another first for the program. This allowed UC Davis to earn a bye and host its inaugural FCS home playoff game in program history on Dec. 1, against Northern Iowa or Lamar.

Under Hawkins' tutelage, four Aggies are finalists for major national awards this year. Maier and Doss are in the running for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the most outstanding offensive player in the nation; senior linebacker Mason Moe is the Aggies' first-ever candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, bestowed to the best defensive player in the country; redshirt freshman Ulonzo Gilliam is the program's inaugural nominee for the Jerry Rice Award, bestowed to the freshman of the year.

Hawkins himself is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the top FCS coach.

Last weekend, UC Davis won its inaugural Big Sky title, which led to its first-ever FCS postseason appearance — a game that will take place on Dec. 1 at Aggie Stadium. Do not miss this opportunity to witness history firsthand, secure your seats for this playoff contest today!


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. DON'T MISS OUT!
Secure the best possible seats at all home games throughout the 100th season of UC Davis football by purchasing single-game tickets. Directly support the program by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at (530) 752-AGS1, or online at UCDavisAggies.com. 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.