College football: UC Davis races past San Diego in front of a record crowd
Depth and speed are staples for the UC Davis football team, elements coach Dan Hawkins says are reasons why the Aggies are in the midst of their best run at the Division I level.
UCD’s wealth of playmakers were on display in front of a spirited and record home crowd of 14,392 Saturday night at UC Davis Health Stadium, where no one seemed to mind the chilly conditions. The Aggies rolled San Diego 43-13 to wash away any residue of an 0-2 start, playing a crisp game that lasted three hours and six minutes, a sprint in college football.
It was a memorable night for Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, the 40th of his decorated Aggies career. He broke the program’s all-time career rushing mark held by G.P. Muhammad from 1995-98 (3,589 yards). The Merced native is a three-time UCD team captain and stamped as an all-time program great.
“Really proud of him,” Hawkins said. “I’ve seen a lot of great players come through here, and to be here when Jake Maeir broke a bunch of (passing) records and when Keelan Doss set (receiving records), and now Ulonzo with the running back record is surreal. He brings a lot to the table. He practices as hard as he played today. He’s been a real blessing to this program.”
Miles Hastings completed 16 of 21 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns for UCD, which lost at Cal 34-13 and to second-ranked South Dakota State 24-22. Hastings hit Justin Kraft for a 16-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead, and it was a long time coming for the Whitney High School product.
Kraft’s career has been stalled by injuries and bad luck, but he never wavered.
“It’s been a long road,” Hawkins said. “When he played at Cal (in the season opener), it was the first time he played since we played Cal (in 2018). We talk about a hero’s journey. It has been very frustrating to him.”
Trent Tompkins, UCD’s do-all marvel, had three carries for 22 yards, but he made them count. The Fresno native scored on a 10-yard burst for a 14-0 lead and on a 7-yarder to make it 35-7 early in the fourth quarter. Tompkins is the classic situational player who also plays on returns.
“Is that guy unbelievable?” Hawkins said. “I saw him play at Central High School and drove back home and thought, ‘He’s magical!’ He’s got the gift.”
UCD’s depth can be found on both sides of the ball, right on down to the tight ends. With 1:22 left in the third quarter, Hastings found a wide-open Josh Gale over the middle and he took it 62 yards for his first Aggies touchdown. UCD’s starting tight end is NFL prospect McCallan Castles.
“I tell scouts looking at Castles, as they should be, ‘See that 81? He’s talented.’”
Evan Tattersall set a physical tone for UCD on two plays alone. The one-time Granite Bay High School All-Metro star started at linebacker at Cal before his graduate transfer to UCD. He blocked a punt and also delivered a crushing pass breakup.
UCD hosts Weber State on Saturday in a Big Sky Conference opener. The Aggies won a share of the Big Sky title in 2018 and reached the FCS playoffs last season.