What Is 2019 UC Davis Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Big Sky Conference play under head coach Ron Gould.

Key Facts

The team finished the 2019 season with a 7-4 overall record
They went 6-2 in Big Sky Conference play
Head coach Ron Gould led the program for the fifth consecutive season
The Aggies played home games at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California
They scored 331 total points, averaging 30.1 per game

Overview

The 2019 UC Davis Aggies football team competed as part of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), representing the University of California, Davis in the Big Sky Conference. Led by head coach Ron Gould in his fifth season, the team showed marked improvement in conference play and finished with a winning record.

The Aggies demonstrated strong offensive performance throughout the season, highlighted by consistent quarterback play and a balanced rushing attack. While they narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs, their 6-2 conference record tied for one of the best in program history within the Big Sky.

Overall record: The Aggies finished the 2019 season with a 7-4 win-loss record, their best since joining the FCS, showing significant growth under fifth-year head coach Ron Gould.
Conference performance: They posted a 6-2 record in Big Sky Conference games, placing them in the upper tier of the league standings despite not securing a playoff berth.
Home stadium: All home games were played at UC Davis Health Stadium, a 10,341-seat facility in Davis, California, which underwent renovations in 2019 to improve fan experience.
Offensive output: The team scored 331 total points over 11 games, averaging 30.1 points per game, ranking them among the top half of the Big Sky in scoring offense.
Defensive performance: UC Davis allowed 27.5 points per game, with key improvements in red zone defense and turnover margin, which helped secure several close victories.

Season Performance

The 2019 campaign featured a mix of dominant wins and narrow losses, with the Aggies showcasing resilience in conference matchups. Their schedule included non-conference games against FBS opponents and tough Big Sky rivals, testing both depth and preparation.

September 7, 2019: The Aggies opened the season with a 35-21 win over Western Illinois, setting a tone of aggressive offense and solid special teams play.
September 21: A 34-17 loss to Colorado State in an FBS matchup revealed defensive gaps, though the team gained valuable experience against a Power Five opponent.
October 5: A pivotal 31-28 victory over Eastern Washington marked a turning point, as UC Davis defeated a ranked FCS team on the road.
November 16: The Aggies secured a 42-28 win over Sacramento State in the Causeway Classic, avenging a 2018 loss and reclaiming the rivalry trophy.
November 23: A 38-31 loss to Montana State in Bozeman ended playoff hopes, despite a strong offensive showing and four touchdown passes from quarterback Will McElwain.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 UC Davis Aggies compared to key Big Sky Conference peers across major statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Scored	Points Allowed
UC Davis	7-4	6-2	331	303
Eastern Washington	11-3	7-1	478	332
Montana	9-4	7-1	376	287
Montana State	7-5	5-3	358	322
Sacramento State	9-4	6-2	417	278

Despite matching Sacramento State’s conference record, UC Davis did not qualify for the FCS playoffs due to tiebreaker rules and a lower national ranking. The team outperformed Montana State in head-to-head scoring but fell short in the final standings due to strength of schedule and road performance.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season represented a milestone for UC Davis football, signaling the program’s emergence as a consistent Big Sky contender. Though playoff eligibility remained just out of reach, the foundation was laid for future success under Ron Gould’s leadership.

The 6-2 conference record was the best since joining the Big Sky in 2012, demonstrating long-term program growth.
Quarterback Will McElwain threw for 2,847 yards and 24 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the conference’s top passers.
The win over Sacramento State in the 47th Causeway Classic boosted local pride and alumni engagement.
Defensive end Cameron Seward recorded 8.5 sacks, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors.
The season saw increased attendance, with an average of 10,102 fans per home game, up from previous years.
UC Davis finished ranked No. 22 in the final FCS Coaches Poll, their first national ranking since 2018.

The 2019 campaign proved that UC Davis could compete at a high level in FCS football, setting expectations for stronger performances in subsequent seasons.