One step forward, two steps back. A week after playing one of their best games of the year, the UC Davis offense came out flat and ineffective on Saturday, scoring only one touchdown in a 14-7 loss to North Dakota. The loss drops the Aggies to 3-7 overall and 1-3 in the Great West Conference. “We were totally out of sync,” Head Coach Bob Biggs said. “We didn’t get any consistency at all.” The game against the Fighting Sioux started the way many others have this year, with the opponent scoring on the opening drive of the game. From then on, the contest became a slow defensive grind, with both teams punting on nearly every possession. Midway through the second quarter the Aggies broke through, tying the game on an 18-yard touchdown run from junior running back Marquis Nicolis. The final touchdown of the game didn’t come until the fourth quarter, when North Dakota was able to take advantage of great field position after a UC Davis fumble. After the... ...

Teams: UC Davis vs. No. 22 North Dakota Records: Aggies, 3-6 (1-2); Fighting Sioux, 6-3 (1-1) Where: Aggie Stadium When: Saturday at 2 p.m. Who to watch: Last week against Cal Poly quarterback Randy Wright was accurate and efficient, leading a balance Aggie attack that scored to three first-half touchdowns. After going 5-5 on the first drive of the day, Wright finished the Battle for the Golden Horseshoe 14-20 for 203 yards and one touchdown. Against a North Dakota defense that is excellent against the run, Wright is again prepared to lead the offensive charge. “We’re going try to run the ball,” he explained. “But if not, I’m sure me and company (looks around at his receivers) would love to throw it a little bit. “We’ll be dialed in to hurt them in the air.” Did you know? North Dakota is still in the hunt to win a share of the Great West Conference title. Had Cal Poly won last week, it would have clinched the outright title. However, the... ...

It was a massive win — a victory in a football rivalry game to keep the Golden Horseshoe in Davis for the third year in a row. But UC Davis’ 24-17 win on Saturday could prove to have a much more long-lasting effect than simple bragging-rights over our rival to the south over the next 12 months — it could prove to be the win that saves head coach Bob Biggs’ job. Entering the weekend, UC Davis was 2-6, coming off a pair of tough losses and an incredibly underwhelming season to that point. Fans and media alike seemed to be bracing themselves for an embarrassing defeat on their home field at the hands of the hated Cal Poly. Indeed even the Mustang fans that made the five-hour drive to Aggie Stadium entered the game with confidence and boldness rarely seen by supporters heavily outnumbered by home-town fans. And while no one seemed willing to take an outright public stance on the issue, the general rumbling around the UC Davis... ...

With its back up against the wall, the UC Davis football team came out and played its most complete game of the year. The Aggies were quick and balanced on offense, strong and unrelenting on defense, and avoided costly mistakes in all phases of the game. The 24-17 victory over the Mustangs brings the Aggies to 3-6 on the season, 1-2 in Great West Conference play. “I thought the coaching staff did a great job,” head coach Bob Biggs said, referring to his coordinators and assistants. “On both sides of the ball we knew exactly what we wanted to do and were very well prepared. We went out and executed.” The game started ominously after Cal Poly received the opening kickoff and quickly worked downfield before kicking a field goal to take the first lead of the game. As it turned out, it would be the only Cal Poly score in the first half and its only lead of the afternoon. Once the Aggie offense got the ball in their... ...