FAIRFIELD - It's too early to make playoff plans, but it's not too early to enjoy the sizzling start by the Davis High School football team. The Blue Devils dismantled previously unbeaten Armijo 34-12 Friday night to improve to 4-0. Not bad considering DHS had four wins all of last season.
The "Blue Force" defense held the Indians to 16 rushing yards in the first half. Armijo, which was averaging 290 yards on the ground in the first three games, did rush for 171 overall, but much of that came late in the contest.
Meanwhile, the Blue Devil offense pieced together long, sustained drives. Quarterback Scott Malinoff was 12-for-18 for 224 yards with a touchdown in the air and another on the ground and talented receiver Mauricio Davidson had 126 yards receiving and Jake Lubisch rushed for 99 yards and two scores.
And as hot as the Blue Devils have been, Nevada Union has been just as cold. The Miners lost their third straight, getting dropped by Granite Bay 36-23. Elk Grove is 3-1 after a 67-7 stomping of Galt. As for the area teams, it was an 0-for-4 night. Woodland was routed 45-14 by Casa Roble, Pioneer fell 14-0 at Rio Linda, Dixon was thumped 41-0 at Yuba City and Winters lost 28-14 to Anderson.
For more on the game, check out Sunday's Enterprise.
- Chris Saur
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Could Devils go 4-0?
The Davis High School football team routed ex-Monticello Empire League foe Will C. Wood 21-0 Friday night at Halden Field to improve to 3-0. The first half was an impressive performance with Scott Malinoff throwing touchdowns passes of 10 and eight yards to Mauricio Davidson and Eric Stenson running one in from three yards out. Meanwhile, the DHS defense did not allow the Wildcats (0-3) a first down before intermission.
Neither team scored in the second half as fumbles and penalties hurt the Blue Devils, but the defense pitched its first shutout in some time.
DHS takes on another beatable opponent, Armijo, in Week 4. So while the start is impressive, the question should be raised: Are the Blue Devils this good or has the opposition been sub-standard? And will this hot start carry over to the Delta Valley Conference, which ultimately will decide the team's playoff fate?
For more on the game, see Sunday's Enterprise.
Here's how the other area teams fared: Woodland improved to 2-1 with a 42-20 win over Foothill, Pioneer was spanked 59-22 by Casa Roble, Dixon was edged 21-20 by El Camino and Winters fell 6-0 to Truckee.
- Chris Saur
Neither team scored in the second half as fumbles and penalties hurt the Blue Devils, but the defense pitched its first shutout in some time.
DHS takes on another beatable opponent, Armijo, in Week 4. So while the start is impressive, the question should be raised: Are the Blue Devils this good or has the opposition been sub-standard? And will this hot start carry over to the Delta Valley Conference, which ultimately will decide the team's playoff fate?
For more on the game, see Sunday's Enterprise.
Here's how the other area teams fared: Woodland improved to 2-1 with a 42-20 win over Foothill, Pioneer was spanked 59-22 by Casa Roble, Dixon was edged 21-20 by El Camino and Winters fell 6-0 to Truckee.
- Chris Saur
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Legend of UC Davis' schedule
The men's basketball schedule has been finalized, with UC Davis opening the year in something called the Legends Classic. When the schedule came out last month, the Aggies were expected to play in the 2k Sports College Hoops Classic. So what happened?
UCD had gotten involved with the 2k Sports event in hopes of being placed in the Kentucky bracket. UC Davis coach Gary Stewart said he liked the symmetry of starting the official Division I era in the state where the Aggies had won a D-II national championship. But the deal with the Gazelle Group, which runs numerous tournaments, gives the organizers the right to move teams around as circumstances warrant. As the entrants and fixtures were coming together, it appeared that the Aggies were being shuffled into the Connecticut region. That normally would have been fine. But UCD already has a trip planned to the East Coast -- a two game jaunt through the Ivy League on Dec. 1 and 3. It's safe to say that the Aggies learned a lesson about excessive early season travel last season.
The Legends Classic was initially planned as event to get four games for eight teams. The initial plan had four "big" schools and four "little" school pooled into Groups A and B respectively. Each Group B school would play games at two different schools from Group A. Then all eight would go to a central site and play a knockout competition against the other teams from its group. The Group A schools will still do that. The Group B ones will not. Instead UCD and Group B teams got the right to schedule two exempt games, which don't count against the NCAA maximum. As Stewart said in the press release and to me on the phone today, getting more games for a young team is really important. The 2k tournament would have guaranteed two games, Legends guarantees four.
The Aggies picked up LaVerne and restored the UC Santa Cruz game to a countable contest rather than an exhibition. Certainly those games won't carry the luster of, say, Oregon State, but getting 15 home games (16 if you count the exhibition with Cal State Maritime) is something of a coup for a Big West program.
UCD had gotten involved with the 2k Sports event in hopes of being placed in the Kentucky bracket. UC Davis coach Gary Stewart said he liked the symmetry of starting the official Division I era in the state where the Aggies had won a D-II national championship. But the deal with the Gazelle Group, which runs numerous tournaments, gives the organizers the right to move teams around as circumstances warrant. As the entrants and fixtures were coming together, it appeared that the Aggies were being shuffled into the Connecticut region. That normally would have been fine. But UCD already has a trip planned to the East Coast -- a two game jaunt through the Ivy League on Dec. 1 and 3. It's safe to say that the Aggies learned a lesson about excessive early season travel last season.
The Legends Classic was initially planned as event to get four games for eight teams. The initial plan had four "big" schools and four "little" school pooled into Groups A and B respectively. Each Group B school would play games at two different schools from Group A. Then all eight would go to a central site and play a knockout competition against the other teams from its group. The Group A schools will still do that. The Group B ones will not. Instead UCD and Group B teams got the right to schedule two exempt games, which don't count against the NCAA maximum. As Stewart said in the press release and to me on the phone today, getting more games for a young team is really important. The 2k tournament would have guaranteed two games, Legends guarantees four.
The Aggies picked up LaVerne and restored the UC Santa Cruz game to a countable contest rather than an exhibition. Certainly those games won't carry the luster of, say, Oregon State, but getting 15 home games (16 if you count the exhibition with Cal State Maritime) is something of a coup for a Big West program.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
So, what exactly would Appalachian State do to Notre Dame?
CHENEY, Wash. -- That's the question that has occupied my mind this pregame. That's a function of not necessarily having much in the way of pregame analysis. This is another relegation six-pointer, and neither team has really necessarily established an identity yet. UCD needs to back up last week's performance for it to mean much going forward. My guess is we'll have a lot more to say about long-term trajectory for both teams when this is done.
A couple of notes: Punter Brett Dickinson made the trip, although we'll see how UCD splits up those duties. Emmanuel Benjamin did a great job kicking into the corners against Portland State and the Aggie coaches are still waiting to feel completely comfortable with Dickinson.
The field appears to be in good shape. Last time the Aggies played here it was basically green mud. Everyone who has been down there has reported that there actually roots in place. So that's good news
There's currently no one here. School's not in session here yet and it sort of shows. There are a bunch of youth football team here in full uniform, which I"m assuming will be the halftime entertainment. I love that.
A couple of notes: Punter Brett Dickinson made the trip, although we'll see how UCD splits up those duties. Emmanuel Benjamin did a great job kicking into the corners against Portland State and the Aggie coaches are still waiting to feel completely comfortable with Dickinson.
The field appears to be in good shape. Last time the Aggies played here it was basically green mud. Everyone who has been down there has reported that there actually roots in place. So that's good news
There's currently no one here. School's not in session here yet and it sort of shows. There are a bunch of youth football team here in full uniform, which I"m assuming will be the halftime entertainment. I love that.
Blue Force strikes again
"Defense wins championships" is a saying thrown around quite a bit. And while the Davis High School football team may not be destined for a section championship, the Blue Devils' defense has looked scary in the early season. For the second straight week, the "Blue Force" has not allowed a touchdown until the game was no longer in doubt.
On Friday against Woodcreek, the DHS defense allowed negative-16 yards rushing and forced three turnovers in a 27-9 win in the home opener at Halden Field. While the defensive line's stellar performance has not been a surprise, the linebacking corps, now led by Leon Siegel and Cody Keefer, and the secondary have played better than anyone could have imagined.
For more on the game, see Sunday's Enterprise.
Other area schools fared well as well as David Butterworth won his first game as varsity coach in Pioneer's 20-18 win over Florin. Also, Dixon won its local matchup with Winters 26-6 and Woodland won its first of the year as well, taking care of Sheldon 35-27.
- Chris Saur
On Friday against Woodcreek, the DHS defense allowed negative-16 yards rushing and forced three turnovers in a 27-9 win in the home opener at Halden Field. While the defensive line's stellar performance has not been a surprise, the linebacking corps, now led by Leon Siegel and Cody Keefer, and the secondary have played better than anyone could have imagined.
For more on the game, see Sunday's Enterprise.
Other area schools fared well as well as David Butterworth won his first game as varsity coach in Pioneer's 20-18 win over Florin. Also, Dixon won its local matchup with Winters 26-6 and Woodland won its first of the year as well, taking care of Sheldon 35-27.
- Chris Saur
Friday, September 14, 2007
The clincher
WEST SACRAMENTO - Champagne flowed (mostly over players' heads) in the Sacramento River Cats' clubhouse. That can only mean one thing: Sacramento clinched its third Pacific Coast League championship on Friday after edging the New Orleans Zephyrs 4-3 in Game 3 at Raley Field.
The River Cats cruised into the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead, but former big leaguer Fernando Tatis crushed a 1-2 slider from Brad Knox for a three-run homer. Jerry Blevins, the 6-foot-6 lefty acquired in the Jason Kendall deal with the Cubs, nailed down the final four outs for the save.
Manager Tony DeFrancesco has won three PCL titles for the River Cats, and this one might have been most impressive. The River Cats' best prospects coming into the year, Travis Buck, Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki, are all with the big league club. Buck, in fact, never spent a day with the River Cats, making the A's coming out of spring training.
One has to wonder if a big league job is in DeFrancesco's future. It may not be with the A's, but there are always plenty of big league skippers canned after the regular season. The three Triple-A crowns should count for something, right?
For more perspective on the title, see Sunday's Enterprise.
The River Cats cruised into the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead, but former big leaguer Fernando Tatis crushed a 1-2 slider from Brad Knox for a three-run homer. Jerry Blevins, the 6-foot-6 lefty acquired in the Jason Kendall deal with the Cubs, nailed down the final four outs for the save.
Manager Tony DeFrancesco has won three PCL titles for the River Cats, and this one might have been most impressive. The River Cats' best prospects coming into the year, Travis Buck, Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki, are all with the big league club. Buck, in fact, never spent a day with the River Cats, making the A's coming out of spring training.
One has to wonder if a big league job is in DeFrancesco's future. It may not be with the A's, but there are always plenty of big league skippers canned after the regular season. The three Triple-A crowns should count for something, right?
For more perspective on the title, see Sunday's Enterprise.
Four innings away
WEST SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento River Cats are trying to wrap up their third Pacific Coast League championship. And it's looking good in the bottom of the fifth inning on Friday in Game 3 at Raley Field against the New Orleans Zephrys.
Sacramento scored four times in the bottom of the fourth against New Orleans starter Jason Vargas. Brant Colamarino had the big hit, a double to right to drive in the first run and Vargas unraveled from there. The Zephyrs made two errors in the inning, including an ugly throwing error by Vargas. Meanwhile, River Cats starter Brad Knox is cruising, allowing one hit. After the big inning, he retired the side in order in the top of the fifth.
The game is a sellout. Look for another blog entry sometime after the game.
Sacramento scored four times in the bottom of the fourth against New Orleans starter Jason Vargas. Brant Colamarino had the big hit, a double to right to drive in the first run and Vargas unraveled from there. The Zephyrs made two errors in the inning, including an ugly throwing error by Vargas. Meanwhile, River Cats starter Brad Knox is cruising, allowing one hit. After the big inning, he retired the side in order in the top of the fifth.
The game is a sellout. Look for another blog entry sometime after the game.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Injury update
PORTLAND, Ore. -- There was so much to pack into Saturday's game stories and so little time. Here two notes things that didn't get all the way into Saturday's game story.
The goal line stand: We'll be talking plenty more about that in Monday's paper. Clearly the best "Aggie Pride" moment since the gamewinning drive at Stanford. This one might have been even more improbable. The momentum had appeared to shift back to the Vikings in the fourth quarter. And then, suddenly, it hadn't.
The injuries: Chris Miller suffered an abdominal injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for observation, although early word was that the injury wasn't serious. Miller is also the holder on placements, which might have contributed to some of the kicking problems. Chris Carter suffered a knee injury, and UCD coach Bob Biggs spoke in tones that suggested it was serious. Tight end Brad Bispo suffered a serious ankle sprain. It would be hard to see him playing next week.
The goal line stand: We'll be talking plenty more about that in Monday's paper. Clearly the best "Aggie Pride" moment since the gamewinning drive at Stanford. This one might have been even more improbable. The momentum had appeared to shift back to the Vikings in the fourth quarter. And then, suddenly, it hadn't.
The injuries: Chris Miller suffered an abdominal injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for observation, although early word was that the injury wasn't serious. Miller is also the holder on placements, which might have contributed to some of the kicking problems. Chris Carter suffered a knee injury, and UCD coach Bob Biggs spoke in tones that suggested it was serious. Tight end Brad Bispo suffered a serious ankle sprain. It would be hard to see him playing next week.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The ‘relegation six-pointer’
PORTLAND, Ore. – In the UC Davis locker room, everyone is now familiar with the story of Montana State. Last year the Bobcats lost to Division II Chadron State and were blown out at home, 45-0, by the Aggies. But MSU still won an at-large bid to the Division I-AA postseason with a 7-4 record.
People forget about Portland State, which finished with an identical 7-4 record. The Vikings also beat a Division I-A team, New Mexico (which last year was a better win than Colorado, the I-A team MSU beat), and didn’t lose to any lower division teams. So why did the committee take Montana State? Well, the Bobcats beat the Vikings 14-0 when the two teams played. Head-to-head results, therefore, matter a great deal.
There’s a term from English soccer that I like, the relegation six-pointer. It’s applied there when two teams at the lower end of the table meet (often with demotion to a lesser league at stake). The winning team earns three points and, more importantly, deprives the opponent of three points. That’s what these next two games most certainly are for the Aggies.
Obviously, It’s too early to tell which teams are going to end up being good this year. But recent history suggests the next two opponents – Portland State and Eastern Washington – have a chance to be in the running for at-large bids to the tournament. Recording head-to-head victories against a pair of Big Sky schools would both give the Aggies a leg-up on both of those teams, should they be vying for the same spot.
Is it too early be talking about playoffs? Maybe. Is it foolish to be talking about them for the Aggies in light of the loss to Division II Western Washington? Not at all. My first law of sports analysis is “No one game proves anything.” Sure the result was embarrassing, but it wouldn’t have counted either way for UCD’s playoff hopes. Everyone in Aggie camp that I talked to seemed to feel as though this team was over the defeat. And anyway, UCD still would have had to win eight of their last 10 to feel really good about their playoff chances come November. Seven out of 10 would earn them consideration, although it would be a long shot.
Good teams generally make their biggest jump between Week 1 and Week 2, so this week’s game probably will set the tone for the rest of the season.
People forget about Portland State, which finished with an identical 7-4 record. The Vikings also beat a Division I-A team, New Mexico (which last year was a better win than Colorado, the I-A team MSU beat), and didn’t lose to any lower division teams. So why did the committee take Montana State? Well, the Bobcats beat the Vikings 14-0 when the two teams played. Head-to-head results, therefore, matter a great deal.
There’s a term from English soccer that I like, the relegation six-pointer. It’s applied there when two teams at the lower end of the table meet (often with demotion to a lesser league at stake). The winning team earns three points and, more importantly, deprives the opponent of three points. That’s what these next two games most certainly are for the Aggies.
Obviously, It’s too early to tell which teams are going to end up being good this year. But recent history suggests the next two opponents – Portland State and Eastern Washington – have a chance to be in the running for at-large bids to the tournament. Recording head-to-head victories against a pair of Big Sky schools would both give the Aggies a leg-up on both of those teams, should they be vying for the same spot.
Is it too early be talking about playoffs? Maybe. Is it foolish to be talking about them for the Aggies in light of the loss to Division II Western Washington? Not at all. My first law of sports analysis is “No one game proves anything.” Sure the result was embarrassing, but it wouldn’t have counted either way for UCD’s playoff hopes. Everyone in Aggie camp that I talked to seemed to feel as though this team was over the defeat. And anyway, UCD still would have had to win eight of their last 10 to feel really good about their playoff chances come November. Seven out of 10 would earn them consideration, although it would be a long shot.
Good teams generally make their biggest jump between Week 1 and Week 2, so this week’s game probably will set the tone for the rest of the season.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Scary moment in Woodland
WOODLAND - Davis High School players will go to sleep Friday night knowing they beat rival Woodland for the second straight season. But they'll also be wondering about their teammate Jake Lubisch, who was carted off to an ambulance in the fourth quarter.
DHS coach Jim Johnson said Lubisch initially was cramping up, came out of the game but then told coaches he was feeling better and went back into the contest. He came out of the game again, complaining about his back. Lubisch was looked over by the trainer and the ambulance was eventually called. Johnson said he was unsure about the extent of the injury but several DHS players were extremely emotional as Lubisch left Woodland Community Stadium.
Check out Sunday’s Enterprise for an update on Lubisch’s condition.
As for the game, the Blue Devils won 34-23, but DHS led 34-3 early in the fourth quarter before the Wolves tacked on three late scores. Lubisch scored three times and rushed for 73 yards and Woodland made two huge mistakes on special teams in the first half, setting up DHS’ first two scores. A roughing-the-punter penalty set up the third touchdown.
Senior quarterback Scott Malinoff was a bit erratic in the season opener, throwing for 173 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 10-for-21 passing. Malinoff was the definition of hot and cold, completing seven straight passes to end the game but missing on 10 straight at one point.
The reception of the game came in the third quarter from wide receiver Mauricio Davidson, who made a 34-yard, diving catch, setting up his 6-yard touchdown reception from Malinoff.
The Blue Devils were the only area team to pick up a win Friday night. David Butterworth's coaching debut did not go well in Vacaville as Pioneer fell 74-6. Winters fell to Willows 12-0, and Dixon lost to Linden 20-14. Those scores were courtesy of maxpreps.com
DHS coach Jim Johnson said Lubisch initially was cramping up, came out of the game but then told coaches he was feeling better and went back into the contest. He came out of the game again, complaining about his back. Lubisch was looked over by the trainer and the ambulance was eventually called. Johnson said he was unsure about the extent of the injury but several DHS players were extremely emotional as Lubisch left Woodland Community Stadium.
Check out Sunday’s Enterprise for an update on Lubisch’s condition.
As for the game, the Blue Devils won 34-23, but DHS led 34-3 early in the fourth quarter before the Wolves tacked on three late scores. Lubisch scored three times and rushed for 73 yards and Woodland made two huge mistakes on special teams in the first half, setting up DHS’ first two scores. A roughing-the-punter penalty set up the third touchdown.
Senior quarterback Scott Malinoff was a bit erratic in the season opener, throwing for 173 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 10-for-21 passing. Malinoff was the definition of hot and cold, completing seven straight passes to end the game but missing on 10 straight at one point.
The reception of the game came in the third quarter from wide receiver Mauricio Davidson, who made a 34-yard, diving catch, setting up his 6-yard touchdown reception from Malinoff.
The Blue Devils were the only area team to pick up a win Friday night. David Butterworth's coaching debut did not go well in Vacaville as Pioneer fell 74-6. Winters fell to Willows 12-0, and Dixon lost to Linden 20-14. Those scores were courtesy of maxpreps.com
It's finally his time
Brian Wickers isn’t your typical fifth-year senior.
The UC Davis men’s soccer starting goalkeeper had appeared in seven games, including just one start, coming into the season. But Wickers will be counted on to have more games like he did on Friday if the Aggies are going to have a successful year. The De La Salle graduate made six saves and allowed an unlucky goal in UCD’s 3-1 win over Oregon State at Aggie Soccer Stadium. He takes over the important spot from Charles Warne, who started all 18 games last season and finished with 49 saves.
"I’ve got to give credit to Brian,” UCD coach Dwayne Shaffer said. “He sat behind two great goalkeepers in front of him but now he finally gets his chance. He’s getting better and more comfortable with every game we’re playing.”
Paul Marcoux, Chris Leer and Ian Conklin picked up the goals for the Aggies, who host Portland on Sunday.
- Conor Tekautz
The UC Davis men’s soccer starting goalkeeper had appeared in seven games, including just one start, coming into the season. But Wickers will be counted on to have more games like he did on Friday if the Aggies are going to have a successful year. The De La Salle graduate made six saves and allowed an unlucky goal in UCD’s 3-1 win over Oregon State at Aggie Soccer Stadium. He takes over the important spot from Charles Warne, who started all 18 games last season and finished with 49 saves.
"I’ve got to give credit to Brian,” UCD coach Dwayne Shaffer said. “He sat behind two great goalkeepers in front of him but now he finally gets his chance. He’s getting better and more comfortable with every game we’re playing.”
Paul Marcoux, Chris Leer and Ian Conklin picked up the goals for the Aggies, who host Portland on Sunday.
- Conor Tekautz
Monday, September 3, 2007
Lights, a back story
A comment yesterday asked me to address why there aren't lights at $31 million Aggie Stadium. The opening game at the stadium, after all, was marred by 85 people needing treatment for heat illness and eight of those being sent along to the hospital.
According to UCD administrators, the reason there aren't permanent lights has to do with a spike in the price of construction materials following Hurricane Katrina. The campus had to re-budget the stadium. When that happened, administrators made the choice to take out things that could more easily be put back in later. They said the thought process went like this: Anything structural they didn't build in the first phase would have to wait until they raised another $10M for the next phase. Whereas things like lights ($500K or so) could be added in more cheaply when the money became available. In June, after months of talking about the topic internally, money was made available.
When we reported this, UCD administrators said they thought the lights could be installed as early as Sept. 22's game against Northeastern. That still wouldn't have done anything about Saturday. My guess would be that UCD administrators didn't look into temporary lights for Saturday's game because they had permanent ones on the way. Again, that's my conjecture. As the poster said, this temperature issue is being discussed by our good friends at Aggiesportstalk.com, and you can read the full thread here.
Campus administrators will meet Tuesday to discuss what changes need to be made at the stadium. This is a long scheduled Monday Morning Quarterback session, to figure out how best to optimize the new facility. Probably, they'll spend most of the day talking about the heat. For the sake of argument, here, according to the National Weather Service, are the high temperatures in Sacramento for the last five Sept. 22's:
2006, 84 degrees
2005, 89 degrees
2004, 87 degrees
2003, 103 degrees
2002, 103 degrees
We'll clearly be following this as it develops.
According to UCD administrators, the reason there aren't permanent lights has to do with a spike in the price of construction materials following Hurricane Katrina. The campus had to re-budget the stadium. When that happened, administrators made the choice to take out things that could more easily be put back in later. They said the thought process went like this: Anything structural they didn't build in the first phase would have to wait until they raised another $10M for the next phase. Whereas things like lights ($500K or so) could be added in more cheaply when the money became available. In June, after months of talking about the topic internally, money was made available.
When we reported this, UCD administrators said they thought the lights could be installed as early as Sept. 22's game against Northeastern. That still wouldn't have done anything about Saturday. My guess would be that UCD administrators didn't look into temporary lights for Saturday's game because they had permanent ones on the way. Again, that's my conjecture. As the poster said, this temperature issue is being discussed by our good friends at Aggiesportstalk.com, and you can read the full thread here.
Campus administrators will meet Tuesday to discuss what changes need to be made at the stadium. This is a long scheduled Monday Morning Quarterback session, to figure out how best to optimize the new facility. Probably, they'll spend most of the day talking about the heat. For the sake of argument, here, according to the National Weather Service, are the high temperatures in Sacramento for the last five Sept. 22's:
2006, 84 degrees
2005, 89 degrees
2004, 87 degrees
2003, 103 degrees
2002, 103 degrees
We'll clearly be following this as it develops.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
We told ya so
For those of you still depressed over the Western Washington shocker on Saturday, there was some good news on another front on Sunday. We said to watch out for UC Davis men's and women's soccer this year. So far, so good.
The Aggie women clipped Fresno State 1-0 Sunday evening at Aggie Soccer Stadium after a golden goal header by Dayna Dumont in the 97th minute. (Wayne Tilcock was there, of course). That was after UCD won its season opener 1-0 over Kent State on Friday. The Ags head to Orlando, Fla. on Thursday to take on South Carolina at the UCF Invitational. Among Big West schools, Long Beach State, UC Riverside and Pacific are also off to 2-0 starts. No. 25-ranked Cal State Fullerton is 1-1.
The UCD men, meanwhile, were victorious as well, beating Pittsburgh 4-2 at the Ramada Xavier Challenge in Cincinnati, Ohio. Davis High grad Sule Anibaba recorded the first hat trick of his career. Not bad since he scored a total of two goals all of last season. The Ags host Oregon State of the Pac-10 at 5 p.m. at Aggie Soccer Stadium on Friday. As far as the Big West, defending national champ UC Santa Barbara hasn't lived up to the hype thus far, tying Stanford 2-2 and falling to Gonzaga 1-0 to begin the season.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Notes on a scandal
Midway through the second half today, I started to think about the Stanford game. Not because of the scope of the potential upset, but because of the identical game progressions. Western Washington did to the Aggies almost exactly what UC Davis did to the Cardinal two years ago. The Vikings held the ball for more than 38 minutes and ran 22 more plays than the Aggies. Go back and look at the Stanford stats and you'll see some similiarities. In both cases, the superior depth of the better-funded team never really had a chance to take control.
Here are some other obsevations:
--There's not a quarterback controversy. Aggie coach Bob Biggs had planned to play both Tim Plough and Matt Engle, just to allow each of them to get some snaps.
--UCD's receivers were disappointing. One wonders how different the game is if Chris Carter catches that pass over the middle on the Aggies' first drive. Too many drops.
--UCD's defense committed three personal foul penalties, including back-to-back ones late in the second half that gifted Western Washington a field goal. The Aggies had a nasty habit of taking personal foul calls last year too, some of which were quite costly. It will be interesting to see what the coaches think of those plays when they see them on film.
--UCD's defensive line couldn't get to the quarterback. There were two sacks and some hurries, but mostly, in passing situations, the Aggie defensive backs were left in single coverage. That's not to say the DBs had a great game, because they didn't. But things aren't always what they seem.
--Aggie Stadium needs lights. The final totals, as you'll read tomorrow, 85 fans treated, eight sent to the hospital (although none were critical). The lights are coming, but this was a tough opener all around.
Here are some other obsevations:
--There's not a quarterback controversy. Aggie coach Bob Biggs had planned to play both Tim Plough and Matt Engle, just to allow each of them to get some snaps.
--UCD's receivers were disappointing. One wonders how different the game is if Chris Carter catches that pass over the middle on the Aggies' first drive. Too many drops.
--UCD's defense committed three personal foul penalties, including back-to-back ones late in the second half that gifted Western Washington a field goal. The Aggies had a nasty habit of taking personal foul calls last year too, some of which were quite costly. It will be interesting to see what the coaches think of those plays when they see them on film.
--UCD's defensive line couldn't get to the quarterback. There were two sacks and some hurries, but mostly, in passing situations, the Aggie defensive backs were left in single coverage. That's not to say the DBs had a great game, because they didn't. But things aren't always what they seem.
--Aggie Stadium needs lights. The final totals, as you'll read tomorrow, 85 fans treated, eight sent to the hospital (although none were critical). The lights are coming, but this was a tough opener all around.
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