Welcome to ‘Shredville’: What you need to know about UC Davis’ playoff game today
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UC Davis deploys ‘Shredville’ freewheeling offense under Tim Plough in FCS quarterfinals
- Freshman QB Caden Pinnick fuels attack
- Winner advances toward Dec. 20 semifinal and potential title run
Tim Plough was hired as head coach of the UC Davis football team in late 2023 and had already installed a freewheeling offense while he was an assistant for the Aggies. It was known as “Shredville.”
It still is and, now, the Aggies will try to ride this style of play one more step toward the finals of the Football Championship Subdivision. The Aggies will host the Illinois State Redbirds in the FCS quarterfinals, at 2 p.m. today at UC Davis Health Stadium.
What the game means
UCD has made the FCS quarterfinals twice before, losing in 2018 and 2024. Prior to the Aggies becoming a Division I-AA team in 2004, UCD also played for the Division II National Championship in 1982.
If UCD prevails Saturday, it could be the biggest victory in school history, putting the Aggies, who entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, within striking distance of playing for the FCS title. This would be uncharted territory and a major accomplishment for the program.
The conferences
The FCS is the NCAA’s Division I Football Championship Subdivision, the second-highest level of college football. Its championship comes through a 24-team playoff system rather than bowl games.
UCD finished third in the Big Sky Conference at 6-2 behind first-place Montana State, which went 8-0 in conference play and second-place Montana, which was 7-1. Both Montana and Montana State made the quarterfinals as well.
By contrast, Illinois State is one of just two teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference to have made the FCS quarterfinals — but that’s also because the Redbirds upset conference leader and FCS playoff No. 1 seed North Dakota State 29-28 in the second round.
Three key things about the Aggies
Time for another trip to “Shredville?”: As assistant coach for the Aggies in 2019 and 2020, Plough unleashed “a wide-open” offense designed to stretch and buckle defenses. It became known by players and coaches as ‘Shredville.’”
Another visit to Shredville might be key for the Aggies today. Neither UCD nor Illinois State are known for defense, with the Aggies allowing 350 points and the Redbirds allowing 357. Both teams can also score prodigiously, each averaging around 30 points a game this season. Accordingly, Saturday’s game could be a high-scoring affair.
Now is a good time to learn about Caden Pinnick: The Aggies advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Rhode Island 47-26. At the center of this win was Pinnick, a freshman quarterback who threw for five touchdowns and rushed for 99 yards. In the days after the game, Pinnick was announced as an FCS Football Central Freshman All-American. Already, he’d been named Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year.
“I’m having a blast,” Pinnick told The Bee’s Joe Davidson, who covered Pinnick while he was at Del Oro High School in Loomis. “I’m addicted to winning, which I’m not sure is a good thing.”
UC Davis has won almost every game it should this season: Breaking down the Aggies’ three losses this season, two probably could have been expected: a 70-10 drubbing on the road by college football powerhouse Washington on Sept. 6 and a 38-17 loss at Montana State.
The only real upset for the Aggies this season was a 38-36 loss to Idaho State on Nov. 1. It was the only time this season that UCD failed to take care of business.
For the Aggies to reach the FCS semifinals, it will have to stay that way.
What’s next if UC Davis win
Should the Aggies dispatch the Redbirds, UCD will play whoever wins today’s game at 9 a.m. between Villanova and Tarleton State. The semifinal game is scheduled for Dec. 20 at either 1 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.
Tickets
Last-minute ticket shoppers for Saturday’s game could be in luck. Tickets for the game were still available as of mid-morning Friday, ranging from $15 to $45.
How to watch
The game is on ESPN+ and can be listened to at Aggies All-Access.
