Coach Plough on the Bye Week, Sac State, Rhode Island, & ESPN2 History
In this special post-Thanksgiving episode, Brock and Danny sit down with Head Coach Tim Plough to break down a massive week for UC Davis Football: the win over Sac State, the program’s second straight top-8 seed, the healing impact of the bye week, and the historic upcoming first-ever home ESPN2 playoff game at UC Davis.
The guys dive deep into:
How the bye created space for rest, recovery, and much-needed family time
Why the team desperately needed a reset after playing for weeks with only ~50 healthy players
Why even though no major injured players are returning, the team feels rejuvenated and locked in
Why Coach Plough calls it one of the greatest Causeway Classics ever
The defensive masterclass vs. an explosive offense
Caden Pinnick’s most poised, complete performance of the season
Mitch & Jaden’s emotional trophy moment with Coach
Why that win meant so much culturally, personally, and programmatically
What national exposure means for UC Davis, the program, and recruiting
Why this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Shredville
A direct call to students, alumni, parents, locals, and the Sacramento/Bay Area community:
“Every seat matters. Don’t let this opportunity go to waste.”
Alumni buying student tickets so the game can be free for students
Strengths of Rhode Island’s offense: experienced QB, explosive receivers, slippery RB
Defensive keys to slowing their QB’s improvisation
Offensive keys for Davis: protect the ball, run efficiently, spread it out
Why special teams will quietly be decisive
How he’s balancing his natural playmaking with learning the offense
Why his Sac State performance was a breakthrough
What “four or five missing touchdowns per game” really means
Why Coach believes Pinnick’s ceiling could be national-championship level
Coach Plough announces on the pod:
⭐ Sam Gbatu Jr. is officially returning for 2026
⭐ Grant Gerritsen is returning as well
Why Sam’s decision reflects the culture UC Davis has built
How these players could’ve chased big NIL elsewhere, but chose Davis
Coach Plough shares a powerful closing reflection on:
Why he and his family sacrifice for this program
What it means to represent every alum who ever wore the gold helmet
Why the “army is growing”
Why Saturday is a defining moment for UC Davis athletics
UC Davis Student Tickets: Free (thanks to alumni donors)
Saturday Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT — ESPN2 National Broadcast
Location: Shredville (UC Davis Health Stadium)
Thank you to our generous sponsors, BPMNJ, Moon Real Estate Group, and Larison Real Estate