In an exciting quarterfinal matchup, No. 8 seed UC Davis will host unseeded Illinois State on Saturday, December 13, at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California. The game is set to kick off at 4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Both teams are coming into this game with a surge of momentum. Illinois State achieved arguably the biggest upset in FCS playoff history last week, defeating top-seeded North Dakota State 29-28 with an incredible late-game rally. Meanwhile, UC Davis advanced after a decisive 47-26 victory over No. 9 Rhode Island, ensuring they would host this quarterfinal.
The upcoming game is a rematch of last year’s FCS playoff second round, in which UC Davis emerged victorious with a strong performance over Illinois State, winning 42-10. However, the Redbirds bring back several key players from that game, including quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, running back Wenkers Wright, and several defensive stalwarts, all of whom will be seeking revenge against the Aggies.
UC Davis boasts a strong offensive line and a standout redshirt freshman quarterback in Caden Pinnick, who has completed 69.4% of his passes this season for 2,804 yards, 29 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while also contributing 411 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Aggies’ offense has been potent, averaging 32.5 points per game, driven by a wealth of playmaking talent, including over 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Fisher and star receiver Samuel Gbatu Jr.
Despite their offensive firepower, UC Davis’ defense has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, allowing an average of 29.2 points per game. With leading tackler Nate Rutchena and standout players like Jacob Psyk and Sam Goligoski, the Aggies will need to tighten their defensive performance against a balanced Illinois State offense that averages 29.8 points per game.
Illinois State’s Rittenhouse has been a steady presence under center, completing 65% of his passes for 2,740 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. His main target, Daniel Sobkowicz, is among the FCS elite with 65 receptions for 842 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Redbirds also feature a strong backfield duo, with Victor Dawson and Wenkers Wright providing a dynamic rushing attack.
As both teams prepare for the contest, questions abound about whether UC Davis’ defense can hold up against Illinois State’s balanced attack and how the Redbirds will respond after their monumental upset. UC Davis will need to capitalize on its offensive prowess while mitigating defensive breakdowns to avoid an emotional letdown.
Anticipation builds as the Aggies look to harness their home field advantage and assert dominance against the Redbirds, hoping to continue their postseason run and secure a place in the semifinals against either No. 12 Villanova or No. 4 Tarleton State. The Aggies are favored to win in a close battle, with a predicted score of UC Davis 35, Illinois State 31.