FOOTBALL OPPONENT PREVIEW #11: UC DAVIS 8/26/2009 Location: Davis, Calif. Nickname: Aggies Colors: Yale Blue & Gold Conference: Great West Home Field: Aggie Stadium Capacity/Surface: 10,849/Sportex Head Coach: Bob Biggs Primary Offense: Spread Primary Defense: 4-3 2008 Overall Record: 5-7 2008 Conf. Record/Finish: 2-1/2nd 2008 Postseason: None Letterman Returning/Lost: 51/12 Starters Returning/Lost: 17/8 Series Record: UCD leads, 39-17 Today marks the final look at the 2009 Sacramento State football opponents. To view previous versions, please select the story from the football main page. GENERAL PREVIEW When discussing UC Davis football in 2009, it's impossible to overlook the team's schedule. The Aggies will arguably play on of the toughest schedules for a Football Championship Subdivision team this year and most of the heavyweights come up front. The team begins the year at Fresno State on Sept. 5 and then hosts Montana the following weekend. After a bye and a home game against Western Oregon, UC Davis will play at Boise State. The remainder of the schedule also features a game against FCS playoff participant Cal Poly and ends at Sacramento State for the 56th Causeway Classic on Nov. 21. Bob Biggs returns for his 17th year as the Aggies' head coach. Biggs will have the majority of his starters back from last season's 5-7 team, including nine players on offense. OFFENSE Davis brings back their leading passer (Greg Denham), rusher (Joe Trombetta) and receiver (Chris Carter) as well as a pair of first team all-Great West Conference offensive linemen. Denham threw for 3,478 yards and 27 touchdowns during his first year as a starter but also had 16 interceptions. Trombetta rushed for 547 yards and three scores despite missing four games. Carter grabbed a team best 69 receptions for 768 yards and five touchdowns. Bakari Grant will also be a target after catching 61 passes for 720 yards and eight TDs. On the offensive line, Jonathan Campos and Tommy Hernandez were both first team all-Great West selections and year ago and both have earned preseason All-America honors. DEFENSE Seven starters return to an Aggie defense which allowed 27.2 points and 229.8 yards per game. Linebacker Mike Morales is the leading returning tackler with 72 stops and 9.0 tackles-for-loss. Senior Patrick Michelier, who recorded 10.0 TFLs and was second with 5.0 sacks, will start at defensive end. One big loss will be on the interior of the line where UC Davis will have to replace All-American John Faletoese. Last season, Faletoese, recorded 32 total tackles but 7.5 of those were for loss including a team-leading 5.5 sacks. He was also a dominant force on special teams, blocking four kicks. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker Sean Kelley is the lone specialist returning from 2008. Kelley made 10-of-13 field goals with a long of 36. SERIES RECORD The Hornets and Aggies have played annually since 1954. Last season, Sacramento State recorded a 29-19 victory at Aggie Stadium to give the team its first win over UCD since 1999. The Aggies lead the all-time series, 39-17.