DAVIS, Calif. – Utah Tech’s offensive struggles continued Saturday night against UC Davis. The Trail Blazers didn’t spend much time on the field for UC Davis as they turned the ball over four times and punted seven times. The Aggies held the ball for over 38 minutes and stuffed the stat sheet with 419 yards of offense.
Utah Tech scored a touchdown in each of the final two frames to close the gap, but UC Davis dominated on both offense and defense to win, 32-14.
Utah Tech First Half
UC Davis’ first drive of the game lasted only a minute and a half and ended in a punt, but the Aggies quickly got the ball back after Reggie Graf threw an interception on Utah Tech’s third play of the game. This was just the beginning of Graf’s struggles on Saturday.
(1Q) I’ll take that…
Cavill Baynes gets an interception and the Aggies take an early lead!!
Aggies – 0
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/MEU7oM3ME1
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
UC Davis turned an interception into a touchdown on a Ran Larison touchdown run and a failed PAT gave the Aggies a 6-0 lead.
(1Q) Aggies score a touchdown!!
Ran Larison made a powerful shot from 7 yards out to give the Aggies an early lead!!
Aggies – 6
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/nyJadbHBHG
— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
When the Trail Blazers got the ball back, the hole they were already in got even deeper: Reggie Graf fumbled the ball deep in Utah Tech territory and UC Davis recovered it. The second turnover on consecutive drives led to another score for the Aggies, thanks to Hunter Ridley’s 19-yard touchdown run.
1Q
Break through the upward right!!
Aggies – 9
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/S2hRPpo6kB
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
Utah Tech got the ball back but punted after 71 seconds.
The Aggies’ offense after that was a slow one that lasted 9 minutes, 35 seconds, going 85 yards on 19 plays, 12 of which were runs. Despite the offense, UC Davis was forced to kick a 27-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 12-0 lead.
1Q
Ridley again 😏
Aggies – 12
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/l3gxPm4PZw
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
Their next three attempts down the field resulted in punts, consuming nearly half of the second quarter.
UC Davis kicker Hunter Ridley got plenty of work in the first half, kicking two more field goals in the first half to extend UC Davis’ lead to 18-0 by halftime.
2Q
Three wins in a row, Ridley 😏
Aggies – 15
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/YBMlaGbcez
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
In between UC Davis’ scores, Reggie Graf threw another interception.
Davis at halftime. #UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/o9IX0iNWpW
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 22, 2024
Utah Institute of Technology (late)
The Utah Tech Trail Blazers received the second half kickoff and only managed three plays before Andy Day fumbled, giving UC Davis the ball at the Utah Tech 26-yard line.
The Aggies finally scored on a Trail Blazers turnover when Miles Hastings passed to Lan Larison from 2 yards out to extend their lead to 25-0.
3Q
Hastings 🤝 Larison
Aggies – 25
Utah Institute of Technology – 0#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/zSpVh3uQtG
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
Following a UC Davis touchdown, Utah Tech finally broke through, completing a five-play, 75-yard drive sparked by a 37-yard run by Reggie Graf.
3Q – Reggie Graf helped set things up with a 37-yard run down the right wing.#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/ZQL0WAwZFy
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 22, 2024
A quarterback draw allowed Reggie Graf to score a touchdown from 12 yards out, giving Utah Tech its first points and cutting the lead to 25-7.
3rd Quarter – …Reggie Graf scores his first collegiate rushing TD from 12 yards out, putting the Blazers on top in the points!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/SQPNXCxvfA
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 22, 2024
UC Davis struck back quickly, scoring again on a Ran Larison touchdown run.
3Q
That guy is on his way!!
Aggies – 32
Utah Institute of Technology – 7#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/3snFs61k15
— University of California, Davis Football (@UCDfootball) September 22, 2024
The next eight drives featured five punts, a missed field goal for Utah Tech, two UC Davis turnovers, one fumble and one turnover on downs.
4th Quarter – The Trail Blazers recover one of their turnovers on a pass stripped by Amari Pouncey and a recovery by Cody Carlson.
#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/sBv4hoGksO
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 22, 2024
The final score of the night came with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter when Reggie Graf hit a long ball to Bryce Parker for 48 yards for a touchdown, making the final score Utah Tech 14, UC Davis 32.
4th Quarter – Touchdown!! Reggie Graf passes up the middle to Bryce Parker for a 48-yard catch and run!
#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/SdbbLqVDaE
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 22, 2024
What’s next for Utah Tech?
Utah Tech will face off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats next Saturday night at 7pm Mountain Standard Time in St. George.
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Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all the Utah teams. X Follow him @tanner_tripp and on Instagram @tanner.tripp
