BOZEMAN, Mont. – The UC Davis football team was in a barnburner with No. 4-ranked Montana State but ultimately fell, 41-24, Saturday evening at Bobcat Stadium. After the loss, the Aggies move to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in Big Sky play, while the Bobcats improve to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference.

The Aggies came out hot despite the dropping temperatures, finishing the first quarter with a 10-7 lead. Senior running back Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr., broke another school record, this time etching his name atop the all-time touchdown mark. The Merced native found paydirt on a 38-yard score in the first quarter to move his career total to 41 career touchdowns, surpassing Preston Jackson (1991-93) and Matt Brown (1998-2000).

Gilliam, Jr. finished with 127 yards on 24 carries and caught four passes for 23 yards. On top of his 150 total yards, the program's all-time leading rusher also threw a touchdown when he found McCallan Castles on a halfback option pass early in the third quarter to pull the Aggies to within three.

That is as close as the Aggies would get as Montana State quarterback Sean Chambers rushed for three scores and passed for two more.

UC Davis senior kicker Isaiah Gomez returned to form, connecting on all three of his field goals, splitting the uprights from 32, 38 and 40 yards to account for the other Aggie scores.

Miles Hastings finished the night 20-of-34 passing for 220 yards. Lan Larison added 60 yards rushing on eight carries while C.J. Hutton hauled in six passes for 46 yards.

Rex Connors returned from injury to lead the Aggies with 10 total tackles, including six solo stops. Campbell Trophy semifinalist Jayce Smalley tallied six tackles, recorded a sack and broke up a pass.

The Aggies will have a bye week and then return to action at UC Davis Health Stadium against Northern Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 15.

GAME NOTES
-Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. scored on a 38-yard run in the first quarter to move his career touchdown total to 41. The 41 career touchdowns are a new school record by a non-quarterback, surpassing Preston Jackson (1991-93) and Matt Brown (1998-2000).
-Gilliam, Jr. rushed over 100 yards for the third straight game and for the fourth time this season. He moves his career 100-yard games to 18. That also marks the 27^th career game of over 100 yards from scrimmage.
-Justin Kraft recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game, hauling in six passes for 114 yards.
-Isaiah Gomez was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals tonight, connecting on kicks from 32, 38 and 40 yards.
-Rex Connors once again tallied double-digits in tackles, totaling 10 on the evening with six solo stops and one for a loss.