What Is 2011 UC Davis Aggies football

Overview

The 2011 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis during the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Led by first-year head coach Ron Gould, the team competed in the Great West Conference and played its home games at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California.

Despite high hopes for a turnaround, the Aggies struggled offensively and defensively, finishing the season with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–2 mark in conference play. The team faced a challenging non-conference schedule, which contributed to the difficult season.

• Record: The Aggies finished the season with a 3–8 overall record, including losses in five consecutive games at one point during the year.
• Conference: As members of the Great West Conference, they went 2–2, tying for second place in the league standings.
• Head Coach:Ron Gould took over as head coach in 2011 after serving as an assistant at UCLA, marking his first season at the helm.
• Home Stadium: The team played home games at UC Davis Health Stadium, a 10,300-seat venue formerly known as Aggie Stadium.
• Total Points: UC Davis scored 233 points over 11 games, averaging just 21.2 points per game while allowing 30.5 on defense.

Season Performance

The 2011 campaign was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles, especially against stronger non-conference opponents. The Aggies opened the season with a loss to Sacramento State and never fully regained momentum.

• Offense: The team averaged 21.2 points per game, with quarterback David Fajardo making multiple starts during the season.
• Defense: UC Davis allowed 336 total points, averaging 30.5 per game, among the worst in the FCS.
• Key Game: A 35–34 win over Southern Utah in October kept their conference hopes alive late in the season.
• Rivalry Loss: The Aggies fell to Sacramento State 41–39 in the annual Causeway Classic, a key regional rivalry game.
• Season End: The season concluded with a loss to Cal Poly, finishing on a four-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2011 UC Davis Aggies compared to other Great West Conference teams that season:

The Aggies ranked near the bottom of the Great West Conference in both overall record and defensive performance. While they matched Southern Utah in conference wins, their point differential of –103 was the worst among league teams. North Dakota and South Dakota State dominated the conference, both finishing undefeated in league play.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a transitional year for UC Davis football, setting the foundation for future rebuilding efforts under new leadership. Though the record was disappointing, it highlighted areas needing improvement ahead of future seasons.

• Coaching Transition:Ron Gould’s first season laid the groundwork for long-term program development despite the losing record.
• Player Development: Young players like QB David Fajardo gained valuable experience that helped in subsequent seasons.
• Recruiting Focus: The season underscored the need for stronger recruiting, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
• Conference Realignment: The Great West Conference dissolved after 2012, making 2011 one of its final competitive seasons.
• Stadium Legacy: Games at UC Davis Health Stadium continued to draw strong community support despite on-field struggles.
• Historical Context: The 2011 season is remembered as a low point before gradual improvement in the early 2010s.

While the 2011 UC Davis Aggies did not achieve significant success, the season played a role in shaping the program’s future direction and coaching philosophy in the years that followed.