DAVIS, Calif. – The UC Davis football team began its spring practice season on Monday. The Aggies will participate in approximately 15 practices, concluding on Saturday, April 23.
UC Davis is conducting its first true spring practice season in three years as the pandemic wreaked havoc on scheduling. The Aggies played a shortened 2020 schedule in the spring of 2021 and turned around a couple of months later to play their full 2021 season, where they finished 8-4, with an appearance in the FCS Playoffs.
"It is good for them to get out here and run around," said coach
Dan Hawkins. "They needed a break. We've played a lot of football - a combined 18 games since March and April of 2021 and last fall season."
The spring drills marked the first time many on the roster get to experience a true spring season.
"I think a lot of it is attitude and effort right now," Hawkins added. "There's a lot of micro things that we're trying to get done. We're looking at the micro details that we're trying to get after - the fundamentals, the effort, the attitude."
Seniors
Jake Parks and
Devon King met with the media after the first practice. Parks, who has been an anchor on the Aggie offensive line his entire collegiate career, noted the team's energy on the first day.
"There was a lot of energy in getting back out here," Parks said. "It's kind of weird; it's been our longest break from football in a long time because we had the back-to-back seasons. It's great to be back out here."
King joined in Parks' excitement as the senior defensive back has battled injuries and is ready to get back into the mix and lead the secondary unit.
"I'm juiced," King said. "I'm excited, I'm pumped. This time, we got a lot more rest. We get to put more work in and go back to the details. I'm excited to see how it goes."
UC Davis will kick off its 2022 season at Cal on Saturday, Sept. 3. The Aggies will play a total of five home games at UC Davis Health Stadium. Season tickets are still available. For more information click
HERE or call
530-752-2471.
