This past Saturday night was UC Davis’ homecoming. Ah yes, Homecoming, the event where the alumni come back to the site of their glory days. For current students Homecoming is a weekend of parties and the perennial Homecoming Football Game.
Homecoming games are meant to be exciting. The craze of Homecoming is supposed to make the team play explosively, and send the fans home happy with a win. Well at least the Aggies were able to accomplish the latter against South Dakota this Saturday.
If you went to the Homecoming Game as yours truly did, then you will agree that the game as entertaining as waiting in line for an Aggie Pack T-shirt! Well the game wasn’t that bad, the Band-Uh was the shiz and Dean Rogers’ touchdown was nothing short of spectacular.
Aside from those two highlights the game was pretty lame. Thankfully the Aggie defense was able to give the offense enough opportunities to redeem itself and send the Aggie Pack home with a win.
So without further a do, here is my report card for the Aggies this weekend against South Dakota:
Offense:
QB C Randy Wright was able to deliver the game-winning touchdown but I wish he had aired it out a lot more. The play action seems to be when he shines the most. His inability to lead the offense to a touchdown in the closing moments of the 2nd quarter shows he has ways to grow still. Not to mention he stares his receivers which can only lead to interceptions.
RB D- 34 combined rushing yards. This was a pretty pathetic effort. The running game either improves or the Aggies aren’t to be winning many more games.
WR B These dudes were able to get the first downs and kept drives alive. Hopefully they can find the end zone against South Alabama.
TE B+ Yes Dean Roger’s game winning TD was A+ material but his first quarter fumble and his lack of receptions bring him down. Nonetheless, great catch!
OL C This unit was able to keep Randy Wright off his back but couldn’t open up the holes for the running game.
Defense:
DL C+ Great job pressuring Dante Warren the whole night. Unfortunately they were not able to contain him or Chris Ganious who juiced them for 142 yards.
LB C Could have done a better job getting to SD’s running game. Tackling needs to improve as South Dakota was able to run 238 rushing yards down the Aggies throat.
DB A- The secondary gave up 89 yards!!! These dudes were on their guys the whole night! There were about four plays where their wide receivers got past them. This could have hurt the Aggies big time if not for overthrown passes.
Special Teams:
K B Has made kicks longer than 45 yards before but the 28 yarder forced South Dakota to seek the TD for the win.
P B+ Half of his punts were inside the 20. Definitely gave a boost to the defense.
Coaching:
Offense C+ Offensive play calling was just bad. 294 total offensive yards is not the work of a dynamic offense. Definitely need to open up the vertical game and abandon this west coast offense.
Defense B The defense won this game, specifically the secondary. Even Coach Biggs had more confidence in his defense to hold on for win than having his offense continue its final drive.
Nevertheless, the team played hard and came out with a conference win. Both the students and the alumni had a great night cheering on our team and left for home happy. Hopefully our Aggie football team can continue its success and make it 3 wins in a row in two Saturday’s against South Alabama.
-Edwin Gonzalez
