Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Montana State, Big Sky schools take unique approaches entering 2021 fall

By Colton Pool

"... UC Davis was 3-2 during the spring season, which was postponed from 2020 and shortened. Aggies head coach Dan Hawkins told the Chronicle the FCS playoff committee called his team multiple times with an offer to continue into the postseason, but UC Davis declined.

Hawkins felt his players had participated in too many games if they were to be fully ready for the fall. This fall was always the priority. Hawkins said this year’s squad will be “the best UC Davis football team in the history of UC Davis. There’s no question about that.”

“Sometimes you have to be the adult in the room,” he said, “and I thought it was great for their mental health to have some normalcy in the spring, but also understanding what looms in the fall and what that takes.”

Hawkins noted a few players are nicked up but believes none will miss significant time. He lauded his strength and conditioning staff for contributing to that result.

“To be a heavyweight boxer,” Hawkins said, “you have to be able to trade blows in the 12th round or you’re not going to make it.”

And now, the Aggies feel they’re faster and stronger because of the spring season. They accomplished what they sought to during the spring, UC Davis offensive lineman Connor Pettek said. If his teammates were feeling beaten up or if injuries had sidelined several players, he admitted he might have changed his mindset.

“I feel like I’m ready for this fall season,” Aggies defensive back Jordan Perryman said. “The spring I saw as an opportunity to get better. So we all went out there, competed a little bit and it’s not like we wasted time out there. I feel like we’ll be ready.”

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sports/bobcats/football/montana-state-big-sky-schools-take-unique-approaches-entering-2021-fall/article_a71c61c0-4335-5b80-8a4c-b6025cda21a2.html