What Is 2020 UC Davis Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 2-3 record due to the pandemic-shortened schedule played in the spring of 2021.

Key Facts

2020 UC Davis Aggies had a 2-3 record in games played during spring 2021
Season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Played in the Big Sky Conference
Head coach: Dan Hawkins, in his 5th season
Home games were held at UC Davis Health Stadium in Sacramento

Overview

The 2020 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Originally scheduled for fall 2020, the season was postponed to spring 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting traditional college football calendars across the country.

The Aggies competed as members of the Big Sky Conference and played a shortened five-game schedule. Despite the challenges, the team managed to field a competitive roster under head coach Dan Hawkins, who was in his fifth season leading the program. The team finished with a 2-3 overall record, showing resilience amid unprecedented circumstances.

Record: The Aggies posted a 2-3 overall record during the spring 2021 season, with both wins coming against conference opponents.
Schedule shift: The 2020 season was moved to spring 2021 due to health concerns and conference-wide decisions to delay play.
Home venue: All home games were played at UC Davis Health Stadium in Sacramento, a 10,343-seat facility that opened in 2007.
Head coach:Dan Hawkins led the team, bringing experience from previous roles at Boise State and Colorado.
Conference affiliation: As a member of the Big Sky Conference, UC Davis faced regional rivals such as Eastern Washington and Montana.

Game Results & Performance

The Aggies' abbreviated season included a mix of home and away matchups, with games scheduled to minimize travel and exposure risks. Each contest followed strict health protocols, including frequent testing and limited fan attendance.

March 6, 2021: UC Davis defeated Idaho State 34-31 in a close, hard-fought victory to open the season.
March 13: The team secured a 35-14 win over Northern Arizona, showcasing a strong offensive performance.
March 20: Suffered a 41-10 loss to Eastern Washington, one of the conference's top-ranked teams.
March 27: Lost 38-31 in overtime to Montana State, despite a late rally.
April 10: Concluded the season with a 34-31 loss to Sacramento State in the annual Causeway Classic.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2020 season performance is best understood in context with prior years. The following table compares key metrics from the 2019, 2020 (spring), and 2021 fall seasons:

Season	Record (Overall)	Conference Record	Head Coach	Key Game
2019	5-7	4-4 Big Sky	Dan Hawkins	Beat Sacramento State 24-0
2020 (Spring)	2-3	2-3	Dan Hawkins	Lost Causeway Classic 34-31
2021 (Fall)	8-4	6-2	Dan Hawkins	Beat Idaho 31-28 in FCS playoffs
2018	6-5	5-3	Dan Hawkins	First FCS playoff appearance since 2007
2017	4-7	3-5	Dan Hawkins	Lost to Sacramento State 42-24

This comparison highlights the disruption caused by the pandemic. While the 2020 season was abbreviated, it served as a bridge to a stronger 2021 campaign. The Aggies showed improvement in subsequent years, building on the experience gained during the shortened schedule.

Why It Matters

The 2020 UC Davis Aggies football season, though limited, played a crucial role in maintaining program continuity during a global crisis. It demonstrated the adaptability of college athletes and coaching staffs in navigating unprecedented challenges.

Player development: The season provided valuable game experience for young players, helping them grow despite limited matchups.
Health protocols: UC Davis followed strict NCAA and conference safety guidelines, setting a model for safe competition during the pandemic.
Local rivalry: The Causeway Classic against Sacramento State remained a key highlight, preserving tradition even in a disrupted season.
Recruiting impact: Completing a season allowed the team to showcase talent to prospective recruits and scouts.
Conference stability: Participating helped maintain Big Sky Conference integrity amid widespread cancellations.
Program momentum: The season laid groundwork for the 2021 playoff appearance, marking a turning point for the program.

The 2020 UC Davis Aggies football team may not have had a full season, but their participation was a testament to perseverance and adaptability in college sports during a historic year.