BROOKINGS, S.D. – In a rematch of the first round of the 2021 FCS Playoffs, UC Davis fell in a tight battle, 24-22, to No. 2 South Dakota State on the road Saturday night at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
 
The Jackrabbits improved to 1-1 on the season while the Aggies were handed their second road loss of the season to drop to 0-2.

A defensive slugfest all game long, including a scoreless, tight third quarter presented the Aggies with a chance to make a statement in the final frame.
 
Teddye Buchanan forced a fumble with 4:53 left in the quarter, which sparked a five-play, 46-yard scoring drive, capped by a nine-yard pass to Justin Poerio for his first touchdown catch of the season, making it a 24-16 ball game.
 
An on-side kick by Isaiah Gomez was successful, giving the Aggies another late opportunity to answer with Miles Hastings finding McCallan Castles for a 25-yard touchdown strike. UC Davis fell just short on the potential game-tying two-point play, resulting in a final score of 24-22.
 
Following both teams trading interceptions in the opening quarter, South Dakota State drew first blood at the 8:45 mark on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Mark Gronowski.
 
The Jackrabbits tacked on a 41-yard field goal to open the second quarter, however the Aggies responded immediately as Hastings found a wide-open Lan Larison for a 68-yard touchdown to cut into the home team's advantage, 10-7.
 
Another rushing score by Gronowski extended South Dakota State's lead back to 10. In the final moments of the first half, UC Davis quickly marched down the field and Gomez kicked a 36-yard field goal to bring the score to a one-possession game after 30 minutes.
 
The Aggies return home for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 17 at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, Calif. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
 
POSTGAME NOTES
- The last time UC Davis went up against No. 2 ranked team in the country was against Weber State in Ogden, Utah during the 2020 COVID-affected season.
- UC Davis had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period, when they put up 12 points.
- The Aggies collected more total yards than the Jackrabbits with 322 yards.
- Hastings was 26-for-43 with 273 yards with three touchdowns and one interception
- UC Davis had two players with 10 total tackles in the ball game, led by Connors with a career-high 17.
- The Aggies went 7-for-15 on third down conversions and 1-for-2 on fourth downs.
- The 68-yard touchdown reception by Lan Larison was the longest passing touchdown for the Aggies since 2019.
-Rex Connors picked off two passes on Saturday becoming the first Aggie with two interceptions in a single contest since Jaylin White and Chris Venable each recorded two picks against Dixie State last season.