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Coach Hawkins Postgame Interview  |  N. Anesi Postgame Interview

DAVIS, Calif. -- Redshirt freshman running back, reigning FCS Freshman Player of the Week and Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week Ulonzo Gilliam rushed for three touchdowns, including two during a run of 34 unanswered Aggie points to finish the game, helping UC Davis assemble a 54-21 win over San Diego in collegiate football action at Aggie Stadium Saturday night.

The Aggies, playing in their home opener, improve to 2-0 for the year — the first time since the 2004 season they opened the season with consecutive victories. The Toreros even their season mark to 1-1. 

Saturday's 54 points are the most scored by the Aggies in a home game and the second-highest total recorded in the program's Big Sky era. 

Gilliam scored his first touchdown on a one-yard plunge less than six minutes into the contest, then ran for back-to-back 11-yarders at 2:50 in the third quarter and 14:32 in the fourth, respectively. His second overall touchdown reversed USD's brief 21-20 lead, and began UC Davis' outburst of scoring to close out the contest.

After Gilliam recorded the last of his three touchdowns to push the score to 34-21, Vincent White intercepted Anthony Lawrence on the Toreros' 48 and never stopped running until he reached the end zone. 

On San Diego's very next play, it was Cade Peacock's turn to record a pick, which eventually extended his team's advantage to 26 points on sophomore running back Tehran Thomas' 26-yard TD run.

Sophomore quarterback Brock Johnson recorded his first touchdown as an Aggie, and capped his team's 34-point finish to its home opener when he found senior running back Namane Modise all alone in the middle of the field; he scampered his way around four San Diego defenders to post UC Davis' final points of the night. 

Junior quarterback Jake Maier completed 24 of 48 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown to sophomore wideout Jared Harrell, who led the receiving corps with 6-for-81 stats. Gilliam had 46 yards on 16 carries, while also posting 36 receiving yards. Oddly, Gilliam's longest reception was for five yards, as another 29 ticks came from a Keelan Doss lateral in the third quarter.

In addition to his pick-six, interception return for a touchdown, White also broke up three passes, one shy of a career high. 

Led by Nas Anesi who finished with six tackles, 29 different Aggies recorded at least one tackle; seven of those tackles were for a loss, which includes two sacks. 

UC Davis' defense shined throughout the entire game; the Toreros did not cross their own 37-yard-line at any point of the first half. Throughout the first and second quarters, the average San Diego drive started on its own nine.

USD was pinned deep in its own territory thanks to a phenomenal effort by the special teams unit. 

Led by his game-high kick of 58 yards, including three that landed inside the 20, sophomore punter Daniel Whelan averaged 40.7 yards per punt. Five of junior kicker Matt Blair's kickoffs ended with a touchback; junior kicker Max O'Rourke nailed both attempts, include a career-long kick from 45 yards with no time remaining in the first half. 

For USD, quarterback Anthony Lawrence threw for 274 yards and a touchdown, while senior corner Arrion Archie led the Torero defense with 10 stops.

UC Davis returns to action for an 11 a.m. game at Stanford on Saturday in a game televised by the Pac-12 Networks. 
 

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!
Another exciting season of UC Davis football, the 100th in program history, will arrive before you know it, secure the best possible seats for all five 2018 home games by purchasing your season tickets today! Season ticket holders also enjoy exclusive benefits throughout the season, support the football program by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at (530) 752-AGS1, or by purchasing 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. 6-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal, 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.