DAVIS, Calif. — College football fans who thought the FCS playoffs were all about the usual suspects haven’t been watching UC Davis. The Aggies just sent a thunderous message: they’re not just along for the ride—they’re hunting a national title.
On Saturday night, No. 8 seed UC Davis crushed No. 9 Rhode Island 47–20 in the second round of the NCAA Division I FCS Championship, advancing to the quarterfinals in dominant fashion. The final score doesn’t even fully capture how thoroughly the Aggies took control after a shaky start, outscoring the Rams 36–6 after halftime.
Pinnick’s 5-TD Masterclass
Quarterback
Caden Pinnick was the star of the night, throwing for
five touchdown passes and adding 99 yards on the ground. He went 16-of-28 for 266 yards through the air, spreading the ball around with surgical precision.
Two of those scoring throws went to
Zach Jones, who continues to emerge as Pinnick’s favorite target in big moments. But the Aggies’ offense wasn’t just about the arm.
Jordan Fisher powered the ground game with
140 rushing yards, highlighted by a
50-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that shifted momentum for good.
“Caden was in complete control,” said an ESPN analyst during the broadcast. “When he’s making plays with his legs and his arm, this offense is almost impossible to stop.”
How the Game Unfolded
The Rams came out swinging. After a scoreless first quarter, Rhode Island exploded for
20 points in the second, including a 63-yard touchdown run by Littleton and a 78-yard bomb from Devin Farrell to Marquis Buchanan that gave them a 20–11 lead.
But UC Davis answered right before halftime with a 15-yard TD pass from Pinnick to Johnson, cutting the deficit to 20–18 at the break.
The third quarter was all Aggies. After a quick three-and-out by Rhode Island to open the half, Fisher broke loose for his 50-yard touchdown, giving UC Davis a 25–20 lead. From there, the Aggies never looked back, outscoring the Rams 22–0 over the final 30 minutes.
A key turning point came when
Jackson Sievers forced a fumble from Rhode Island’s Connor Finer, recovered by Nate Rutchena at the URI 25. Two plays later, Pinnick found Ian Simpson for a 9-yard TD, pushing the lead to 33–20.
In the fourth, Samuel Gbatu Jr. (121 receiving yards) hauled in a 27-yard scoring strike to make it 40–20, and the Aggies’ defense clamped down, allowing just a garbage-time touchdown.
Quarterfinals: UC Davis vs. Illinois State
With the win, UC Davis (9–3) advances to the FCS quarterfinals, where they’ll host
Illinois State next weekend at UC Davis Health Stadium.
The matchup is a fascinating one: Illinois State pulled off a massive upset earlier Saturday, knocking off top-seeded
North Dakota State 29–28 in a thriller. That means the Aggies will face a red-hot Redbirds team that’s already proven it can beat the best.
UC Davis head coach Tim Plough has the Aggies in the quarterfinals for the second straight season, and this year’s squad looks even more explosive. With Pinnick playing at an elite level and a balanced attack that can beat you through the air or on the ground, the Aggies are now legitimate national title contenders.
What This Means for UC Davis Football
This isn’t just another playoff win. This is a
program-defining moment. Beating a strong Rhode Island team in front of a raucous home crowd, with Pinnick throwing five touchdowns and Fisher running wild, sends a clear signal: UC Davis is no longer an underdog. They’re a powerhouse in the making.
The Aggies’ offense has been one of the most efficient in the FCS all season, and Saturday’s performance was their most complete yet. If they can replicate this level of play against Illinois State, a trip to the FCS semifinals—and maybe even the national championship game—is very much in reach.
For fans in Davis, this season is already a success. But with the quarterfinals on the horizon, the dream is growing bigger by the week.
Sources
1. UC Davis 47-26 Rhode Island (Dec 6, 2025) Game Recap - ESPN
2. UC Davis 47-26 Rhode Island (Dec 6, 2025) Final Score - ESPN
3. Rhode Island Rams vs. UC Davis Aggies Live Score and Stats
4. Football vs No. 9 Rhode Island on 12/6/2025 - Box Score
5. NCAA D1 FCS Football Playoffs Second-Round Final Scores, Third Round Info
6. Rhode Island Looks for Program-Altering Win at UC Davis on Saturday Night
