Bears dominate second half to take down Aggies, 31-13, in football opener

Cal went on 24-0 run, despite a strong effort from UC Davis defense

BERKELEY - Despite a fast start and a stellar defensive effort, UC Davis dropped a 31-13 non-conference football decision to the California Golden Bears on an otherwise beautiful Saturday afternoon in historic Memorial Stadium on the Berkeley campus.

The game, played before 32,275 sun-splashed fans in the 101-year-old venue, was the season opener for both schools.

The Aggies dominated the first half, but several missed opportunities had them trailing, 14-13, at intermission. The second half, however, belonged solely to the Golden Bears.

"We're not a 'pat on the back' kind of team," said first-year Aggie head coach Tim Plough afterward.

"We're disappointed with the loss. We just couldn't get enough on first down at the start of some of our drives, but I was really pleased with our defensive effort today.”

The defense accounted for half of the Aggies’ two touchdowns with a scoop-and-score from Porter Connors. The offense, however, stalled at several key points in the first half and was unable to rally in the final 30 minutes.

Cal took a 7-0 lead on a one-yard run from Jadyn Ott midway through the opening quarter, but the Aggies marched down the field to a first-and-goal at the Cal four, but were unable to convert.

The Bears took over at their own two, but on the first play from scrimmage, UCD defensive back Kavir Bains crushed Cal ballcarrier Kadarius Calloway, forcing a fumble that Connors picked up at the six and strolled in untouched. Hunter Ridley's PAT, however, was no good, and the Aggies trailed, 7-6, with 0:07 left in the first quarter.

Porter Connors scoops up a fumble and scores easily against Cal

"Kavir came out of nowhere and made a great tackle and I just happened to be there to get the football," Connors explained.

"It was an exciting play, but it's bittersweet because we lost the game. I think this game gave us some confidence, though, that we can hang with these guys."

The best was yet to come for UCD.

Just over five minutes into the second quarter, Aggie running back Lan Larison scored from a yard out to cap a 9-play, 66-yard drive to give the Aggies a 13-7 lead as the large contingent of UC Davis fans who made the trek to Strawberry Canyon began to smell an upset.

Lan Larison’s short touchdown run gives Aggies a 13-7 lead

Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived, lasting just the 11 seconds it took Nohl Williams to return the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to give the Bears the lead for good at 14-13.

"We had some breakdowns on special teams and our offense had too many turnovers in the second half, so we have to clean those things up," Plough added.

The stats from the first half were eye-popping.

Despite trailing by a point, the Aggies outgained the Bears, 234-109, had a 16-4 advantage in first downs and dominated the time of possession by nearly 11 minutes.

Aggie quarterback Miles Hastings had a flawless first half, but was picked off three times over the final two quarters as the Aggies were unable to seriously threaten down the stretch.

"I have to take better care of the ball in the second half," Hastings said.

"Cal changed up some of their looks on me that made things more difficult. We were able to play really well in the first half and had them on their toes, but you have to play a whole game."

The Bears scored the last 24 points of the game and put things away with two scoring drives and a short field goal after the break.

Plough was Cal's tight ends coach last fall and he and Cal head coach Justin Wilcox remain close.

The two embraced at midfield after the game, rivals for 60 minutes, but lifelong friends afterward.

"I'm really glad we won that game," Wilcox said.

"I'm proud of our team for the way they competed, especially in the second half. I'm also glad, because now I get to talk to Tim again. He's an excellent coach, he's an even better human being. He does a hell of a job. They're in great hands with Tim Plough. Plus, UC Davis has some great players.”

Plough admitted to having some emotional moments as a first-time head coach at his alma mater, where he was a standout quarterback.

"I think we did a great job hanging in there today, but now it's time to go home and light our place up," said the Aggie coach.

The Aggies come home for the first time Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. against Texas A&M-Commerce.

Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com