DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis football opened it spring session of practices with high energy on Friday morning, filling the Davis community with sounds of intense and healthy competition coupled with joy being found as the Aggies begin to build toward 2026.

The practice was the first of 15 UC Davis will hold over the next month of April, with Friday's being the first official time the Aggies have taken the practice field as a full unit since the previous season.
 
"We started phase two of our offseason program today following another great job by coach [Jeff] Bourque and his staff during our first phase getting the guys ready and stronger," said head coach Tim Plough. "Now we get on the field and get to do some football, and today was our first practice. It's always exciting on the first day as the guys brought great energy out there as they found joy.
 
"The environment and effort throughout the practice was great and we will continue to work on the things we can improve on. We are excited to work on building out our depth and working to make sure everyone understands their role on the team as we head into the third phase and get closer to the season."
 
Things got started on Bob Biggs Practice Field, where the Aggies spent the first hour of practice working on the individual fundamentals that will win football games come the fall. When it was time, the team got together and started the transition down to the UC Davis Health Stadium field, making sure to serenade Jim Sochor with "Aggie Fight" as they jogged down to the turf.
 
When the Aggies took the turf, things took a more team orientated direction as both the offensive and defensive units truly were able to battle each other in 11-on-11 full squad drills and plays. That high level of competition carried the Aggies for the remainder of the spring's opening practice session and set the tone for the next month of work UC Davis is slated to put in.
 
When the Aggies take the field for the Spring Game on Apr. 18 at 10:15 a.m. to showcase their offseason work, the Davis community is encouraged to make the event a part of their Picnic Day morning. Not only will there be exciting football to watch, but there will also be events throughout the day that should make the event a fun part of anyone's Picnic Day.

The Spring Game is free of charge for anyone to attend. And around the concourse there will be concessions open for purchase, with Woodstock's and food trucks available for fans to purchase. Fans will also be able to renew and purchase their 2026 season tickets, securing their spot in "Shredville" for another exciting season in Davis.
 
Practices are open to the public when held on the UC Davis Health Stadium field, but not during the Bob Biggs Practice Field portions of the practice. UC Davis opens its 2026 season at Portland State on Aug. 29 in a Big Sky showdown and on Sept. 19 Stetson makes the trip to Davis for the 2026 home opener.
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS: UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.