UC Davis Athletics

DAVIS, Calif. – RV/RV UC Davis (6-4, 4-3 Big Sky) buckled down when it mattered most as the Aggies got back in the win column on Saturday, defeating Utah Tech (1-9, 1-6 Big Sky), 24-17, at UC Davis Health Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The two teams traded three-and-outs to begin the afternoon before UC Davis got the ball back at 12:35 in the first quarter. Treynor Cleeland completed three passes, then Jordan Fisher ripped off a 19-yard run to move the Aggies three yards short of midfield. On the next play, Will Alovao jumped a route by Winston Williams and intercepted Cleeland, returning the ball to the UC Davis 15-yard line.
• Two plays after the INT, Bronson Barben found Elijah Davis from 13 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. Following a made PAT from Max Shepherd, the Trailblazers took an early 7-0 lead at 9:56.
• Both sides continued to trade possessions as the opening quarter unfolded, but neither team could move the ball to find points. Utah Tech remained on top at the end of the first period.
• The Trailblazers continued to push to start the second quarter, advancing into the red zone near the 10-minute mark. With 10:08 on the clock, Barben took matters into his own hands, scrambling up the middle for a four-yard touchdown run to double up the Aggies.
• UC Davis would answer on the subsequent drive, putting together a 10-play, 73-yard drive capped off by a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Cleeland with 2:06 remaining in the first half. Following a made PAT from Robert Meyer, the Aggies trimmed the deficit to 14-7.
• Utah Tech took control again at the 2-minute mark, but the Aggie defense stood strong and forced the Trailblazers to punt on the UC Davis 25-yard line. Chaos then ensued, as a bad snap by Utah Tech on fourth down gave the Aggies a chance at the ball. Sam Gogligoski instinctively chased the loose football, recovering it at the 7-yard line before punching it into the end zone to even things up with 37 seconds left in the half.
• Choosing to protect the ball to close the opening half, Utah Tech kneeled down on its final play as the teams entered the locker room all knotted up at 14-14.
• Coming out of the break, the UC Davis defense began to find its rhythm, forcing two fumbles on the initial drive by the Trailblazers. The second fumble was recovered by Jackson Sievers at midfield, handing the Aggies their first possession of the new half at 9:32 in the third quarter.
• UC Davis proceeded to use seven plays to drive to the Utah Tech 22-yard line, with Meyer converting on a 39-yard field goal at 5:56 to give the Aggies their first lead of the game, 17-14. The three-point advantage would hold for the remainder of the quarter as UC Davis held steady heading into the final period.
• Continuing to apply pressure defensively, Ty Richardson came up clutch for the second game in a row, intercepting CJ Tiller in the end zone to take the ball back just 40 seconds into the fourth quarter.
• Cleeland found his groove on the ensuing drive, which included a 17-yard scramble, and drove the Aggies into the red zone once more. The quarterback then delivered a 7-yard touchdown to Edward Khutsishvili, pushing the score to 24-14 in favor of UC Davis at 8:11.
• Utah Tech was methodical on its next possession, taking 12 plays to gain 53 yards before Dax Iverson nailed a 40-yard field goal at 3:30 to make it a one-score game, 24-17.
• Once the Aggies got the ball back, UC Davis drained the clock to just 20 seconds left on the game clock before handing the ball back to the Trailblazers. Utah Tech would have four more shots at finding the end zone, but the Aggie defense was stout in the closing seconds as UC Davis held on for the 24-17 victory.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Fisher continues to be a workhorse back for the Aggies, finishing with 21 carries for 79 yards (3.8 avg) to go along with two receptions for 13 yards (6.5 avg). The performance marked his fifth straight game and the seventh time in his career with 20-plus carries. On his fourth rush of the game, Fisher surpassed 1,000 yards on the season with a six-yard gain, reaching the milestone for the second straight season.
• Cleeland's rushing touchdown in the second quarter was the second rushing touchdown of his collegiate career. His 34 rushing yards are also the second-most of his career so far.
• Goligoski's fumble recovery was his second career fumble recovery and his first career touchdown. Overall, it was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown for UC Davis since Porter Connors ran one back at California on Aug. 31, 2024. Additionally, the last special teams touchdown on a blocked kick/punt (non-return) came on Sept. 16, 2017, during a 34-17 victory at Portland State, when Ryan Parenteau blocked a punt, and Darryl Graham scooped and scored in the end zone.
• Rosa continues to be elite at punching out the ball, as his forced fumble in the third quarter was his fourth of the year, good for first on the team and in the Big Sky.
• Richardson recorded an interception for the second straight game after tallying an INT at #22/RV Weber State last Saturday, Oct. 31. Overall, tonight's interception was the fourth of his career.
• Julius Ray forced his first career fumble in the third quarter, turning over Tiller before Jackson Sievers notched his second career fumble recovery. Ray enjoyed a successful night overall, finishing with new career highs in total tackles (five), solo tackles (three), and tackles for loss (2.0/21 yards).

STATS SPOTLIGHT:

• Treynor Cleeland (QB #5) - 21-34, 144 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 62.0% CMP, 101.2 RTG/7 CAR, 34 YDS, 1 TD, 17 LNG, 4.9 AVG
• Jordan Fisher (RB #20) - 21 CAR, 79 YDS, 19 LNG, 3.8 AVG/2 REC, 13 YDS, 12 LNG, 6.5 AVG
• Samuel Gbatu, Jr. (WR #8) - 8 REC, 52 YDS, 18 LNG, 6.5 AVG, 41 YAC
• Edward Khutsishvili (TE #0) - 5 REC, 19 YDS, 1 TD, 7 LNG, 3.8 AVG, 13 YAC
• Laviel Pickett (WR #22) - 3 REC, 47 YDS, 27 LNG, 15.7 AVG, 17 YAC
• Porter Connors (LB #39) - 10 TKL (7 SOLO)
• Brayden Rosa (DB #23) - 8 TKL (5 SOLO), 1 FF, 1 QBH
• Julius Ray (DL #56) – 5 TKL (3 SOLO), 2 TFL (21 YDS), 1 FF
• Hayden John (DB #1) - 4 TKL (3 SOLO), 1 BU
• Sam Goligoski (LB #31) - 4 TKL (3 SOLO), 1 FR, 1 TD
• Ty Richardson (DB #3) - 2 TKL (1 SOLO), 1 INT

POSTGAME WITH THE AGGIES:

• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Tim Plough, Jordan Fisher, and Trent Carrade, please click here.

UP NEXT:
UC Davis will hit the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend as the Aggies will travel to Moscow for a Saturday afternoon matchup at Idaho. Kickoff from P1FCU Kibbie Dome is scheduled for 1:00 pm PT. Live streaming, radio, and live statistics will be available via the team's schedule page.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on UC Davis football, follow the Aggies on X @UCDFootball, on Instagram @ucdavisfootball, and on Facebook @ucdavisfootball.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis Athletics represents one of the nation's premier public universities on the NCAA Division I stage, with more than 650 student-athletes competing across 25 sports, including 16 programs in the Mountain West Conference. Located in California's quintessential college town, UC Davis combines championship-level athletics with the academic excellence of the nation's #8 public research university and is home to the nation's No. 1 programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and sustainability. With a growing national media presence, bold investments in facilities and the student-athlete experience, and a tradition of developing champions in competition, in the classroom, and beyond, the Aggies are elevating UC Davis on a national stage.