The 3-3-5 is the stack defense which few programs run. Davis runs a base nickel in a 4-2-5 alignment like just about everyone in the country these days. The $ position is an edge that lines up on the ball mostly.

I’m sure you are right but the defense has 3 lineman, 3 linebackers and 5 defensive backs.
I take your word for that not being a 3-3-5.

Excellent article about Big Sky football:

https://www.si.com/college-football/how-big-sky-staying-true-old-school-roots-modern-college-football-world

The $ position is an edge that rushes from the LOS, so 4-2-5.

I understand the point.

But if you have outside and inside linebackers (which Davis so designates) are you saying one of the two is middle and the other is outside? Not seeing how that checks.

Most programs Davis included call the edge a LB but functionally this is a pass rushing DE that usually lines up on the ball. Last year they played base with two LBs, Meyer and Connors. This year sub out Meyer for Rutchena. The game is situational so you match groupings based on the personnel on offense but you usually need 5 dbs on the field and a lot of the mix/match depends on whether your better player/matchup is an athletic third backer or a safety that can play up in the box.

Just signed up for youtube tv, new lawn flag representing the Ags here in Boise- Go Ags! 2025.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5Uamyz0MYfI?si=XvVY9z4wKGj9MDw_

Love it!

Question on away games -- I've never been to an away conference game except for Sac State before, but I'm eyeing destinations like Moscow and Bozeman this year. Does UCD or CAAA typically put together packages in the visitor's section for these out of state Big Sky games like they do for FBS games? Or do folks here typically just try to buy a ticket near the visitor's sideline from the other team?

Generally, the FBS games have organized events
https://ucdavisaggies.evenue.net/events/FBAWAY

In the past, we've just bought GA and found all the Aggies (usually parents/family/friends are easy to find).

Its hit n miss. Sometimes CAA puts on a tailgate and offers a tailgate/game ticket combo. And sometimes they don’t. For example, they always have a gathering and game ticket for Cal games. I’ve attended gatherings and bought the game ticket package for PSU, SLO, and EWU. I’m probably forgetting a few.
The players parents have a FB page that is informative on gatherings and team info such as the team hotel. Its always fun staying at the team hotel - usually a good gathering of Aggie faithfuls in the lounge :).

Moscow should be easy to get tickets for on the general market. Bozeman would be very expensive on the third party market. Montana State usually has a sellout and you are purchasing someone’s ticket with a big market. I had a bad experience with vivid seats (for Montana State in 2022) as they don’t release tickets until the last minute and you may have plunked down a lot of money in hotel and air travel before having tickets in hand. If possible going through USD would be better but I think you would need some sort of status to have those available to you.

I only just noticed that the Ags first three games are all on the road. Kind of frustrating for the home town fans in Davis, but it's always bothered me that so many games (four counting the Mercer fiasco) are played before the fall quarter even starts. Maybe that's why the students don't get that involved once they're there?

It makes sense to play games when the students are here. Also makes sense not play games when the students who are here are moving this weekend

They started before Labor Day this year, had 1 FBS and used a bye week to recover from that probable game which is wise. Davis is quiet during the summer but even more so in week between Summer Session II and move in week. Off campus people will either move their stuff on September 1st or closer to school start but they might not stay yet.

Anyone hear anything about athletics facility master plan yet?

Is this the Connor twins final year?

The TV guys yesterday mentioned that UC Davis is the only school in the country to open with three road games.

yes. They both redshirted first year. For some reason they don’t list players by eligibility, or list their year graduated from high school, so you have to look at their bios which show they have been with team since 2021.

So next year we have to replace them, and probably a few of our new graduate contributors.

Will need to replace all the grad contributors except Ty Richardson who will still have eligibility, since he graduated in two years and will have another year remaining.

When he fills in his frame and gets more games under his belt, Drew Cofield is going to be a Teddye/Rex caliber defender. The impact he's making as a freshman is impressive.

I'm also really looking forward to seeing what Totten and Cravin get up to. Bright future for Davis on defense. Coombs is doing a great job.

Hopefully playing teams like Washington and UCLA will help get guys like Coombs paid. I feel like we are already on borrowed time with him.

In recent years the defense has been good but not the best in the conference and prone to giving up big plays, and lots of yardage, and scores in the mid 20s. This year they have more of a pass rush, seem to have quality players everywhere so we should expect more, but so far defense still giving up big plays, sustained drives, and mid 20s scores, against average offenses. Not saying it might not all come together but it hasn’t.

My main point is nobody ever talked about Davis as being one of the toughest defenses in the Big Sky and we never busted into the top 5 before Coombs.

.....but it is time to get over the hump and bust into the top 3 consistently.

Big Sky era scoring defense

before Coombs:
2012: 7th
2013: 11th
2014: 11th
2015: 11th
2016: 8th
2017: 9th
2018: 5th
2019: 5th

since Coombs:
2020: 3rd (covid 6 games)
2021: 5th
2022: 2nd
2023: 5th
2024: 3rd
2025: ?

Through 2 games this is the strongest D I’ve seen.