Who will quarterback young UC Davis? It could be a Player of the Year newcomer
Here’s how the UC Davis football team shapes up entering this season.
Last year’s record: 3-8 (2-6 Big Sky Conference)
Coach: Dan Hawkins (first year)
Key departures: RB Manusamoa Luuga, RB Joshua Kelley, QB Ben Scott, DB Zach Jones
Skinny: The Aggies have only 14 seniors, the fewest of any of the 13 teams in the Big Sky, so youth must be served. The program enthusiastically welcomes a coach who knows the “Aggie Way,” which includes 30 conference championships, 20 in succession from 1971-90, but just three since 1993, the last in 2009.
Players to watch
Brock Dale, QB: After passing for 2,266 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016, he’s the first to acknowledge that he needs to up those numbers to up the win total.
Jake Maier, QB: The California JC Player of the Year in 2016 at Long Beach City College (3,689 yards, 38 touchdowns) could end up as the starter.
Keelan Doss, WR: The preseason All-Big Sky pick had 66 catches for 911 yards, torching Sac State for four touchdowns.
Keleen Culberson, DB: The Aggies had just seven interceptions last season and need more stops.
Nas Anesi, LB: The longtime rugby player was an All-Big Sky honorable mention and had 60 tackles.
Joe Davidson: 916-321-1280, @SacBee_JoeD
Aggies 2017 schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
Saturday | at San Diego State | 5:30 p.m. |
Sept. 9 | vs. San Diego | 6 p.m. |
Sept. 16 | at Portland State | 2 p.m. |
Sept. 23 | at Weber State | 4 p.m. |
Sept. 30 | vs. North Dakota | 6 p.m. |
Oct. 7 | vs. Eastern Washington | 6 p.m. |
Oct. 21 | at Northern Arizona | 4 p.m. |
Oct. 28 | vs. Cal Poly | 4 p.m. |
Nov. 4 | at Idaho State | 1:30 p.m. |
Nov. 11 | vs. Southern Utah | 4 p.m. |
Nov. 18 | at Sacramento State | 2 p.m. |
This story was originally published August 30, 2017 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Who will quarterback young UC Davis? It could be a Player of the Year newcomer."