What Is 2013 UC Davis Aggies football team

Overview

The 2013 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as an independent due to the dissolution of the Great West Conference, the team was led by first-year head coach Ron Gould.

The Aggies played their home games at UC Davis Health Stadium and faced a challenging schedule of regional and conference-aligned opponents. Despite not being eligible for postseason play, the team showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to previous seasons.

• Record: The Aggies finished the season with a 5–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from the previous year’s 3–8 campaign.
• Head Coach: Ron Gould took over as head coach in December 2012, succeeding Mike Moroski, and led the team through his inaugural season in 2013.
• Conference Status: With the Great West Conference dissolving after 2012, UC Davis competed as an independent in 2013 before joining the Big Sky Conference in 2014.
• Scoring: The team scored 318 total points during the season, averaging 28.9 points per game, a significant increase from 2012’s 22.5 average.
• Home Field: All home games were played at UC Davis Health Stadium, a 10,000-seat venue located on campus in Davis, California.

How It Works

The structure and performance of the 2013 UC Davis Aggies football team were shaped by NCAA regulations, coaching decisions, and scheduling challenges following conference realignment.

• Independent Status: After the Great West Conference disbanded, UC Davis operated as an independent, requiring the athletic department to self-construct a full non-conference schedule.
• Offensive System: The team ran a spread offense under offensive coordinator Nick Edwards, emphasizing a balanced attack with both passing and rushing plays.
• Defensive Scheme: The defense utilized a 4–3 alignment, focusing on aggressive line play and disciplined secondary coverage to counter high-powered FCS opponents.
• Roster Composition: The roster included 87 players, with 18 seniors and 12 starters returning from the 2012 season, providing moderate continuity.
• Recruiting Impact: Ron Gould’s first recruiting class featured 22 new players, many from Northern California, helping rebuild team depth and athleticism.
• Game Strategy: The Aggies emphasized time of possession and red-zone efficiency, converting 61% of trips into touchdowns, ranking them above FCS average.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 UC Davis Aggies with the previous season and conference peers in key statistical categories.

The data shows UC Davis improved offensively in 2013, particularly in scoring and passing efficiency. While they didn’t match top Big Sky contenders, the upward trend laid groundwork for future competitiveness after joining the conference in 2014.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year that set the foundation for UC Davis football’s future in the Big Sky Conference and reflected broader trends in FCS realignment and program development.

• Conference Transition: The independent status in 2013 allowed UC Davis to prepare for Big Sky membership, which began in 2014 with full conference scheduling.
• Coaching Impact: Ron Gould’s leadership introduced a new culture, focusing on discipline and player development, which influenced roster retention and performance.
• Recruiting Shift: The team’s emphasis on in-state talent strengthened local ties and improved long-term sustainability of the football program.
• Facility Investment: Continued use of UC Davis Health Stadium highlighted the need for future upgrades to meet Big Sky standards.
• Competitive Benchmark: The 5–6 record provided a measurable baseline for assessing progress in subsequent seasons.
• Program Visibility: Independent scheduling increased exposure to diverse opponents, enhancing national recognition for the Aggies.

The 2013 season, while not record-breaking, was pivotal in modernizing the UC Davis football program and aligning it with higher-competitive FCS standards ahead of conference integration.