QB Jake Maier Hits 10,000-Yard Career Milestone In 33-25 Victory
Oct 22, 2019, 8:43 AM | Updated: 8:44 am
CEDAR CITY, Utah – Five different players scored touchdowns as No. 23/22 UC Davis took down Southern Utah, 33-25, on Saturday night inside Eccles Coliseum.
The triumph advanced UC Davis to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Senior communication major Jake Maier led UC Davis’ passing attack with 271 yards through the air, tossing three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also became the second UC Davis quarterback to reach the 10,000-yard milestone for his career, with the pass below. Sophomore Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. paced the Aggies’ rushing attack by accumulating 140 yards and one touchdown over the course of the game, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Sophomore managerial economics major Niko Harris also added 39 yards and one touchdown on the ground, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Senior managerial economics major Wes Preece hauled in five catches for 75 yards and one score. Freshman Lance Babb II made his presence felt in the passing game, recording seven receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. The Aggies also added 68 yards receiving and one touchdown from junior sociology major Khris Vaughn in the game.
Junior neurobiology, physiology & behavior major Connor Airey led the UC Davis defensive effort, recording 10 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack. Senior managerial economics major Josh Januska added 1.0 TFL and one sack and senior managerial economics major Tiger Garcia had five tackles and 1.0 TFL in the win.
UC Davis scored first and opened a 6-0 lead. Babb II pulled down a 25-yard touchdown reception from Maier with 12:39 left in the first quarter to finish off a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
UC Davis expanded the lead to 12-0 with another score. The Aggies closed a 12-play, 90-yard scoring drive when Vaughn caught a 24-yard touchdown reception from Maier with 6:35 left in the first quarter.
UC Davis’ advantage continued to expand after they put points on the board again to bring their advantage to 19-0. Gilliam converted a three-yard touchdown run with 8:57 left in the second quarter to finish off a seven-play, 63-yard drive.
UC Davis continued to extend its advantage, scoring again to go on top 26-0. The Aggies capped a nine-play, 78-yard drive when Preece hauled in a 15-yard touchdown reception from Maier with 2:29 left in the second quarter.
UC Davis continued to build its lead after Southern Utah closed the gap to 26-7, scoring again to go on top 33-7. Harris powered in a four-yard touchdown run with 4:28 left in the third quarter to finish off a 16-play, 85-yard scoring drive. UC Davis didn’t score again and Southern Utah tacked on 18 more points to finish off the scoring.
The Aggies won the turnover battle in Saturday’s game, forcing one turnover while avoiding any giveaways. UC Davis converted on 53.3 percent of third-down attempts on the day.
UC Davis’ defense held up fairly well against the run, limiting Southern Utah to 140 yards on the ground. UC Davis out-rushed Southern Utah by 54 yards.
UC Davis took care of business in the red zone, scoring 21 points on three trips inside Southern Utah’s 20-yard line.
The Aggies are back in action on Oct. 26, when they’ll take on Weber State at UC Davis Health Stadium. Football fans ages 21 and over can enjoy Brewfest, one of the most popular traditions on campus, before the Aggies face the Wildcats at 4 p.m.
