FOOTBALL ENDS SEASON WITH 23-19 LOSS IN PEPSI CAUSEWAY CLASSIC
11/19/2011
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Colton Silveria rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown and Sean Kelley made three field goals to lift UC Davis to a 23-19 win over Sacramento State in the 58th annual Pepsi Causeway Classic on Saturday at Hornet Stadium.
The Hornets were never in synch offensively, needing the full 60 minutes to score their lone offensive touchdown of the game as quarterback Garrett Safron scrambled for a 30-yard touchdown as time expired. Sacramento State rushed for 114 yards, led by 93 from Safron, but was just 11-of-31 through the air for 155 yards.
The game had a big momentum swing on the opening kickoff as senior John Hendershott appeared to return the kick 91 yards for a score. However, a holding call nullified the touchdown and brought the ball back to the Sacramento State 25.
Davis struck first with a 33-yard field goal from Kelley. The Hornets tied the score with a 23-yard field goal from Jason Diniz — his first since Sept. 17. Just 61 seconds later, Sacramento State took a seven point lead when Ben Cowger sacked Randy Wright in the end zone forcing a fumble. Cowger jumped to his feet and was able to dive on the ball before it crossed the end line for a touchdown.
The Aggies immediately answered with a 14-play, 78-yard drive which was capped by an 8-yard run from Austin Edmonson to tie the score, 10-10, with 3:31 left in the half. That score held until Diniz made a 25-yard field goal to give the Hornets a 13-10 halftime advantage.
Following a pair of punts to open the second half, Davis took the lead for good when Silveria scored from a yard out. His touchdown was set up by a 40-yard pass from Wright to Taylor Sloat which took the ball to the 1.
In the fourth quarter, Kelley connected on field goals of 22 and 23 yards. His last gave the Aggies a 23-13 lead with 1:22 left.
Safron used a series of small gains to move the ball down field. He ended the contest with a scramble down the right sideline and dove into the end zone from 5-yards out. An extra point was not attempted.
The Aggies easily produced their best rushing game of the season with 206 yards. The team's previous high was 149 against Cal Poly. Silveria also became the first UCD player to rush for over 100 yards this year and more than doubled the previous high (Austin Edmonson, 80 yards, at South Dakota).
Wright was 14-of-23 for 171 yards passing but did have an interception. Overall, UC Davis compiled 377 yards of total offense.
Sophomore linebacker Todd Davis led all players with 10 total tackles. Osagie Odiase was one of four Hornets to have eight stops. Odiase also intercepted a pass and had two tackles-for-loss.
Byron Gruendl had nine tackles, including a sack, to pace the Aggies.
Prior to the start of the game, Sacramento State honored 19 seniors who were playing their final game for the Hornets. The team will host its annual awards ceremony on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Alumni Center.
NOTES: The game marked the fifth straight contest that Sacramento State was led in rushing by a quarterback…the crowd of 12,874 was the largest home attendance this season…receivers Brandon Reed and Chase Deadder both returned to the field for the game…Reed caught four passes for a team-high 78 yards…Diniz's two field goals were a single-game high for the freshman…he also attempted, and made, his first extra point since Oct. 29.
