OGDEN, Utah -- Linebacker Cole Hansen led the defense with 10 total tackles, running back Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. rushed for a team-high 71 yards with four receptions, and the UC Davis defense held the Weber State to just 247 yards of total offense, but the No. 23 Aggies came up on the losing end of an 18-13 battle to the No. 2 Wildcats in Big Sky Conference football action Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.

UC Davis evens its spring record to 1-1.

Hansen had nine solo stops with one assist, with one tackle for a loss of four yards. Reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week Connor Airey added another seven tackles with two pass breakups. Defensive back Jaylin White also recorded a TFL with an 8-yard hit on WSU quarterback Bronson Barron on a third-and-2 situation to end the first half.

Junior quarterback Hunter Rodrigues completed 13 of 28 passes for 139 yards and a  touchdown pass to tight end McCallan Castles, while adding 52 yards on the ground. Sophomore Lance Babb II hauled in three passes for 53 yards, while junior Carson Crawford chipped in another 2-for-28 receiving. 

UC Davis crafted a 10-0 lead to start the contest. Castles' 15-yard touchdown reception capped a 14-play, 85-yard drive down the stretch of the first quarter, then Justin Kraft's 17-yard catch set up the first of two Isaiah Gomez field goals for the Aggies. The transfer kicker connected for a 40-yarder to extend UC Davis' lead to 10-0 with 2:47 remaining in the half.

Weber State answered with rushing touchdowns from Dontae McMillian and Daniel Wright to take over the lead in the third quarter. McMillan a two-yard punch-in followed by Logan Snyder's two-point conversion, cutting the Aggie lead to 10-8; then Wright's 10-yard scamper lifted the Wildcats to a 15-10 advantage with 3:29 in the third.

Freshman Lan Larison had a 38-yard run to set up Gomez' 38-yard field goal, bringing UC Davis within a 15-13 deficit. However, WSU's Eddie Heckard and Preston Smith each interrupted Aggie possessions with interceptions down the stretch. The UC Davis defense held its host to just 51 yards of offense in the fourth.

The Aggies return to action with their 2021 spring home opener against Cal Poly. That game was initially scheduled for February 27 but was postponed to the Week 4 bye slot. All home UC Davis football games will be televised on CW31 during the spring season.
 

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