ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Tech gave No. 7/8 UC Davis quite a scare on the opening night of the 2025 season, but the Aggies’ second-half rally was too much for the Trailblazers to overcome in a 31-24 defeat.
First half
The Trailblazers’ offense was set up by the defense early, thanks to a fumble forced by Justin Houston that was recovered by Cody Carlson.
Utah Tech would drive into the red zone, as Ilya Uvaydov converted a 33-yard field goal to give the home team the 3-0 lead just under six minutes into the game.
UC Davis would answer quickly, however. On the second play of the following drive, running back Jordan Fisher took a handoff 66 yards for a score, giving the visitors the 7-3 lead a mere 34 seconds after the UT field goal.
The score remained in favor of the Aggies for most of the remainder of the opening half, before a late Trailblazer score made it 10-7.
With 31 seconds left in the half, junior quarterback Reggie Graff connected with senior tight end Eric Olsen for a 1-yard touchdown.
Second half
Utah Tech came out swinging in the second half, adding to its lead by scoring 14 points in the first seven minutes.
The Trailblazers first capitalized on an interception thrown under a minute into the third quarter by UC Davis QB Caden Pinnick.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, QB Reggie Graff found wide receiver Tru Tanner for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 17-7.
UT would add another score with eight minutes left on the third-period clock with a Chris Street 1-yard rushing score to push the lead to 24-7.
The Aggies were not going to go down without a fight, however, as they began to show why they were a preseason Top 10-ranked team.
In just six minutes, they would put two touchdowns on the board of their own, cutting the Utah Tech lead to just three (24-21) with just two minutes left in the third.
UC Davis wasn’t done there, though. They would later tie the game at 24 just over two minutes into the fourth period courtesy of a 29-yard field goal.
After the Aggies tied it up, the Trailblazers were stopped on offense once more. The visitors would take advantage, turning their next possession into a 60-yard catch-and-run by Samuel Gbatu Jr. for a touchdown, giving them a 31-24 lead.
Utah Tech had one final chance to tie the game with under two minutes to play, with redshirt freshman QB Bronson Barben connecting with Olsen for a 31-yard pitch-and-catch.
Just three plays later, however, the Trailblazers would turn the ball over for the fourth time on the night, sealing the 31-24 season-opening defeat.
Utah Tech was led on the offensive attack by QB Bronson Barben, who finished 24-39 with 222 yards through the air. Reggie Graff also finished 4-for-5 for 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Dallin Havea led the Trailblazers on the defensive side, recording 8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Cornerback Devyn Perkins added seven stops in his first game back as a Trailblazer following a one-year stop at SUU.
Up next
Utah Tech (0-1) travels to Flagstaff, taking on future Big Sky rival No. 18/19 Northern Arizona on Saturday, Sep. 6.
The game is slated for a 3 p.m. kickoff and can be seen on ESPN+.
