Previewing the UC Davis Aggies

The Ducks open up the 2015/16 season with a team that potential quarterback Dakota Prukop should be quite familiar with. Prukop’s Montana State Bobcats only played the Aggies once during his time there, but it was a total blowout. Winning 77-37, Prukop completed 17 of 22 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Oh, and let’s thrown in the 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns for good measure. Will Prukop be doing this again on September 3rd?

Quick facts:

League- Big Sky

2015 Record- 2-9 overall, 2-6 in league

2015 Points Per Game: 22.27

2015 Points Per Game Allowed: 35.45

Head Coach: Ron Gould, 4th year

Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Daft, 4th year

Defensive Coordinator: Bert Watts, 3rd year

Trends:

Usually a 9 and 25 record wouldn’t be one to keep a head coach around, but that’s what Ron Gould has been able to manage. He should know a little bit about Oregon though as he was the long time running back coach for the University of California. Unsurprisingly he has brought this running attack with him to UC Davis. Last year, the Aggies averaged close to 150 yards on the ground per game, which was their best total in ten years. They’re pretty balanced offensively, showing both power looks from the I formation as well as shotgun looks. They look to be better at running out of the I however.

Defensively last year they lined up in a base 3-4, and I don’t expect that to change with no replacement coming at defensive coordinator. They did bulk up on defense in the recruiting class, brining in quite a few defensive ends and linebackers. The best pickups in the class look to be defensive end Kevin Davidson, wide receiver Khris Vaughn and pro-style quarterback Kevin Davidson.

The Aggies bring back both players who played at quarterback last year. These being the more athletic C.J. Spencer and number one choice, pocket passer Ben Scott, who was a one time Big Sky honorable mention QB. UC Davis also returns their leading rusher and leading receiver.

Key players:

Manusamoa Luuga, #10, senior running back, 5' 10", 195 lbs.

After only rushing for 67 attempts in his first two years on campus, Luuga became the go-to back for the Aggies in the 2015 season. On 166 carries, he went for 613, which was only an average of 3.7 yards per carry, down from his previous average. Luuga found the end zone six times last season.

Chris Martin, #9, senior wide receiver, 6' 1", 175 lbs.

The speedy Martin became the Aggies go-to wide receiver last season. On 46 catches, he was able to pile up 658 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also is a threat returning punts and kickoffs.

Darryl Graham, #21, junior defensive back, 5’ 11”, 180 lbs.

On the defensive side of things their defensive back Darryl Graham leads the Aggies. In starting just eight games last season he was still the leading tackler with 76, while the next closest player had just 60. Also has two interceptions over his career.

What to watch:

Who will be the quarterback? It’s all but decided that Ben Scott will remain the Aggies quarterback, but as of spring there was still a competition with Scott taking the advantage.