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"This is incredible. Lots and lots of energy," says one-time UC Davis football season-ticket holder Kim Coates.

Coates, who used to live on Miller Drive, a stone's throw from old Toomey Field at the northeast corner of campus, has not attended an Aggie game in "about decade ... not since the move."

The 67-year-old grandmother of four was asked by a friend to go to last weekend's Cal Poly game at newly named UC Davis Health Stadium. She found the style of play — and the venue atmosphere — well, healthy.

Not only did the re-emerging Aggies find their second gear in winning the Battle for the Golden Horseshoe, 48-24, but the festivities at the 12-year-old facility were energizing.

A crowd of 11,194 set an attendance record for the stadium, which opened in 2007. (The all-time football standard is 12,800 for a 1977 game versus visiting Nevada. Five years later, 12,700 showed up for a Sacramento State showdown.)

The weather, a perfect a 76 degrees at kickoff, added to options now available at UC Davis Health Stadium.

Over the past three years, beer sales and an expanded variety of food have been offered. Two kids' zones have opened. Multiple tailgate areas are available, and nifty promotions — like the Oct. 26 Brewfest when Weber State visits — have been enhanced.

On Saturday, as kids rolled down the berms at either end of Jim Sochor Field, the Aggies opened a 34-0 lead and the atmosphere was downright Woodstockian.

And speaking of Woodstock's, the popular downtown Davis pizzeria has a booth that offers beer and its specialties at the Bud Light Lounge.

Taqueria Guadalajara has been doing its thing near Gates 2 and 3 (southwest corner) while Buckhorn Grill — smell that? — has its tri-tip going along with beer and a selection of wines.

I particularly love that UC Davis Athletics administration turned to local businesses for most of the unique food and drink offerings.

What? Jake Maier's touchdown passes aren't enough? Still need a pick-me-up? Java City Coffee has set up shop to the east of the stands, in close proximity to the expanding menus of concession booths.

In addition to the playoff caliber of football on display these days, local fans are being entertained by the reconstituted Aggie Marching Band, little kids running onto the field before the game and a handful of break-in-the-action tributes — like Saturday's ode to Larry Swanson, the former voice of Aggie football, and the upcoming ceremony honoring early 1980s All-American safety Bo Eason (Oct. 26 at the Weber State game).

As students added to the old-fashioned (new wave?) party atmosphere at the stadium, ample staff and security were on hand to assist with questions or personal assistance.

With Cal Poly fading in the background, oodles of friends were lining up to take pictures at the selfie wall. The lines were growing longer at the merchandise kiosks, new Aggie bling showing up on kids and grandparents alike.

Amenities such as convenient $10 parking, a brilliant multimedia scoreboard and a combination ticket deal that saves fans money and hooks them up for free admission to other Aggie sporting events add to the merriment this fall at UC Davis.

Another cool opportunity at football's home games has been the gathering place behind the UC Davis Health and Children's Hospital Fan Zone. There is room to mingle and catch up with friends and colleagues — like Kim Coates was doing last Saturday — or stand with your food and refreshments at two drink rails — a chance to kibitz and watch the game away from your regular seats.

"I haven't seen Janet in ... I don't know, 15 years?" Coates said. "At Toomey, you'd have to leave the stadium to have these kind of conversations. Here? It all just seems to flow. Fun ... convenient.

"I'll be back. And I'm bringing my whole family next time."

Fans have two regular-season games ahead of them — the aforementioned Weber State game and a visit from Montana State on Nov. 16 (which features a Salute to Heroes, Ag Day, Vet Day and Senior Day.

Visit UCDavisAggies.com for tickets.

While I Have You Here: We were all sad to discover that former Aggie football captain Paul Flack (Class of 1967) died last month. He was 74.
Flack was an All-Far Western Conference selection for UC Davis. As a senior, he was named MVP for both the Aggie gridiron and baseball teams. His father Joe Flack and brother Jim are  members of the Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame.

Paul's sister Nancy Kahn tells us there will be a celebration of life for her brother on Nov. 9 in Chico.


Editor's note: One of the most well-known and respected sports writers in the industry, former Davis Enterprise sports and managing editor Bruce Gallaudet joined the UC Davis Athletics staff as its feature writer in the summer of 2018. Since then, visitors to UCDavisAggies.com have enjoyed his unique perspective on campus student-athletes, coaches, teams, individuals, programs, events and projects that represent the fifth-ranked public school in the nation.