DAVIS, Calif. – After three games on the road in three different time zones No. 9 UC Davis football will finally open UC Davis Health Stadium in a non-conference finale against Southern Utah.
 
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW
UC Davis Health Stadium (10,743) | Davis, Calif. | Fan Gameday Information
Sept. 20 – vs. Southern Utah | ESPN+/My58 | Listen | Live Stats | @UCDavisfootball
 
REX PASSES A CAL AGGIE HALL OF FAMER: Rex Connors set the program record for total tackles in the Aggie game at Washington, finishing with eight total tackles in the game to hit the 291 mark for his carrer. Connors passed Cal Aggie Hall of Famer Kris Spraker who sits at 290 career tackles during his career from 1997-2000. Connors moved into second-place at Utah Tech, passing Jason Hairston who sits at 271 total tackles from 1992-94 and he entered the game at Washington with 279 total tackles.
 
GAME NOTES

• For the 24th time, UC Davis and Southern Utah will meet on the gridiron. The former and soon-to-be-again member of the Big Sky and the Aggies have met in the past two season and this is the fourth time since 2019. The Aggies have won the past three games, including a pair of wins in Cedar City and one in Davis. This is the second time that Southern Utah has acted as the home opening opponent for the Aggies.
• AN AGGIE WIN … makes it four-straight over the Thunderbirds dating back to 2019, tying the longest winning streak in the series. It would also be the 10th straight win for the Aggies in home openers and the second over Southern Utah in home opening games. The win would also give UC Davis two wins over the opening three games, carrying would be an above .500 record into Big Sky Conference play.

PREVIEWING THE THUNDERBIRDS

• Southern Utah football hits the road again this week to take on the No. 9 Aggies from UC Davis in a Saturday night matchup. The Thunderbirds are coming off a heartbreaking 52-49 loss to No. 18 Northern Arizona, while UC Davis was idle in week three
• The Thunderbirds enter the week with a 1-2 record. Despite putting up huge numbers offensively, the T-Birds have lost two close games
• The Thunderbirds' offensive unit has been firing on all cylinders through the first three games, with standout performances in both the ground and air attacks. Leading the rushing charge is Joshua Dye, who has emerged as a dominant force in the backfield. Dye has carried the ball 61 times for an impressive 383 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and finding the end zone six times. His average of 127.7 rushing yards per game sets the tone for the Thunderbirds' run-heavy approach. Complementing Dye's efforts is backup quarterback Will Burns, who has only appeared in two games but made a significant impact with 131 rushing yards on just nine carries, averaging a staggering 14.6 yards per attempt, including a 72-yard touchdown burst.
• Through the air, quarterback Bronson Barron has been a clear leader, posting a stellar 163.31 passer rating with 837 yards and seven touchdowns, while maintaining a clean sheet with zero interceptions. His efficient 67% completion rate has helped distribute the ball effectively among a talented receiving corps. Gabe Nunez has been Barron's top target, hauling in 17 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns, averaging over 83 yards per game. Not far behind is Shane Carr, who has 220 receiving yards and two scores of his own, averaging 15.7 yards per catch. Together, Nunez and Carr have created a reliable one-two punch in the passing game. With a balanced offensive attack led by Dye and Barron, the Thunderbirds have shown they can strike quickly and consistently both on the ground and through the air.
• The Thunderbirds' defense has been led by a strong core of playmakers, with linebacker Sebastian Adamski setting the tone. Adamski leads the team with 34 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack, consistently disrupting plays at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Lando Brown has been a dominant force up front, racking up a team-high 3.0 sacks and two quarterback hurries. Josh Dunn and Baron Taylor have also been key contributors, combining for 32 tackles and multiple tackles for loss, with Taylor adding a forced fumble. In the secondary, Blake Stillwell and Jakobi Spence have locked down passing lanes, each recording three pass breakups. Up front, Joe Tongamoa has chipped in with 1.5 tackles for loss and two QB pressures, helping anchor a defensive line that's kept steady pressure on opponents. 

SEASON NOTES

• Rex Connors has been all over the field this season, and in two games where the stats have counted the Aggie all-time leader in tackles has averaged 11.5 tackles per game. That places him atop the Big Sky Conference and fifth in the nation
• 20 years ago, on Sept. 17, 2005, the 0-2 UC Davis Aggies travelled a few hours down the road to Stanford for its first matchup against the Cardinal in program history. The Aggies had only recently made the transition from Division II to Division I and entered the game 0-2 after close losses to open the season. It meant no difference, despite early turnovers that led directly to Stanford scores, the Aggies held their own up front and on both sides of the ball to keep things close. In the final two minutes Jon Grant took his Aggie offense down the field to set up a game winning score. The pass, caught by Blaise Smith in the corner of the end zone, capped off a great play called by head coach Bob Biggs to give the Aggies a win they still talk about on G Street
• With 15 tackles at Utah Tech, Rex Connors was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. Connors finished with eight solo tackles and seven assisted tackles to lead the defense in St. George. The Aggie defensive back also makes it two-straight season an Aggie has won the first week's edition of the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, joining his brother Porter after his standout performance at California in the 2024 season opener
• Part of the reason the Aggies came back from 17 down at Utah Tech was because of the second half performance by redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Pinnick and he was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week. Pinnick went 21-for-31, finishing with 253 total passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 14 yards rushing. In the second half Pinnick threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns to power the Aggies to 24 second half points. He became the first Aggie to earn national freshman honors since Nick Eaton earned the nod during the 2019 season
• In the Aggie's second shot at getting 2025 started, UC Davis traveled to St. George, Utah and late in the third quarter they were trailing by 17 points. It was there they got rolling, scoring back-to-back touchdowns while holding Utah Tech to a three-and-out sandwiched in-between to get within three points late in the third quarter. A Hunter Ridley field goal near the end of the quarter tied things up and set UC Davis up to finish off its biggest comeback since 2018. Pinnick then hit Samuel Gbatu Jr., for a 60-yard touchdown that put the Aggies ahead for good. Nate Rutchena then sealed the game with an interception to lock up a win that featured 24-unanswered points
• UC Davis and North Dakota State announced on Sept. 1, 2025 a home and home series starting in 2028. The Aggies will head to Fargo, N.D. to face the Bison in 2028 before the series moves to Davis, Calif., in 2029. It is a rematch of former Great West Conference foes and when they meet in 2028 it will be the 12th time in history and the first since 2019.
• UC Davis, for the first time since 2006, opens its first three games away from Davis, California. After the Aggies visit Montgomery, they will travel to St. George, Utah to face Utah Tech before heading to Seattle, Washington to face the Washington Huskies. This year marks the third time in program history the Aggies have begun their season away from home for so long, spending the opening three weekends away in 2006 and 1978

TEAMS PLAYING AT LEAST FIRST THREE GAMES ON ROAD SINCE 2006
            - UC Davis (2025)
            - East Texas A&M (2025)
            - Southeastern Louisiana (2021; 2023)
            - Duquesne (2017)
            - Tarleton State (2013)
            - Charleston Southern (2008; 2009; 2011)

• Returning for 2025 is talented safety Rex Connors, and he brings with him a collection of 2024 honors that have evolved into 2025 preseason accolades. Connors ended 2024 as a four-time All-American, first team All-Big Sky Conference honors and his 74 solo tackles set a program record. This season he comes in ranked as the No. 1 returning safety by HERO Sports and he has already earned multiple preseason All-American honors. Connors also became the first Aggie to be named the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year to go along with Preseason All-Conference honors
• UC Davis returns all its starting offensive linemen from the 2024 team, making them one of three teams in the nation that can make that claim. The Ags return tackles Eli Simonson and Ernesto Nava to go along with interior starters Zaire Collier (center), Jace Rodriguez and David Porotesano. David Main, once back from injury, will make the Ags six deep on the offensive line. The collection of talent meant that HERO Sports named the Aggie offensive line as the fourth best returning line in the nation

TEAMS RETURNING ALL FIVE STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN IN FCS
            - UC Davis (Big Sky)
            - Charleston Southern (Big South)
            - North Carolina Central (MEAC)

• Entering 2025 the Aggies have been finding themselves individually on several All-American lists, with five Aggies earning honors. Rex Connors (first team), Winston Williams (second team), Hunter Ridley (second team) and Porter Connors (third team) earned the honor from Stats Perform. While FCS Football Central added Jacob Psyk (second team) to a collection that saw Connors and Ridley earn first team honors, Williams earn second team honors and Porter bring home third team honors. It's the most preseason All-Americans in program history 

FAN EXPERINCE (BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT): For the home opener fans and students can expect a full plate of events and giveaways when they come to Shredville.

• STUDENT GIVEWAY: The first 1,000 student in attendance will receive an Aggie Pride Flag
• HALFTIME KIDS RUN: Everyone's favorite halftime tradition is back with the Halftime Kids Run! Participants are asked to meet behind the North Endzone towards the end of the first half to run across the field!
• AGGIE STEAM ENGINE: A staple of football for years, the steam engine has been restored to amplify every Aggie score!

MOBILE TICKET REMINDER: Fans are asked to download your mobile tickets prior to traveling to campus to avoid potential connectivity issues at UC Davis Health Stadium. Follow this LINK for more information on how to access your mobile tickets ahead of game time!
 
SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets are on sale now, and fans can head here to secure their spot in Shredville for the 2025 season. Tickets start as low as $100 for new alumni and $140 for the general public.

GROUP TICKETS: Football group ticket discounts start at 10 or more tickets and provide a great opportunity for gatherings and parties to enjoy Aggie football. If you'd like to create an unforgettable experience with your group, the Aggie Ticket Office is here to help you customize your day! Fans can head to THIS LINK to purchase their group ticket packages.
 
MINI PLANS: Mini Plans are a great way for Aggie fans to save on tickets by bundling multiple games. Choose from 2 different options to get the biggest bang for your buck, and fans get to pick the games that work the best for you. The Pick Any 2 or Pick Any 3 Plans allow fans to pick and choose which games they want to attend at a discounted rate versus buying single-game tickets. Both plans can be purchased here.
 
SINGLE GAME TICKETS: Single game tickets are on sale now and fans can secure their spot at one five home games for as little as $13 a ticket. HEAD HERE to buy single game tickets today.