Neither of these schools wants to give up its pride
By DAVID HU — sports@theaggie.org
There’s only about a 19-mile separation between two notable colleges in Northern California. To the east of the Yolo Causeway lies UC Davis, located in the heart of Yolo County. On the other end is Sacramento State, near the state capital.
These two schools have developed a passionate rivalry that fans can count on for excitement when it comes to sports.
Much like the famous UC Los Angeles and University of Southern California rivalry in Southern California, this is a light-hearted but fierce competition that’s played out across multiple sports over the years. The close proximity has helped create a special connection between the two schools.
A prominent part of this rivalry is the “Causeway Classic,” an annual football game between UC Davis and Sac State. What was once a normal football game between the two schools turned into the Classic when an alum from Sac State decided to donate a horse-drawn carriage as a trophy for the winner in 1954.
Since then, the Causeway Classic has become a staple for both schools, celebrated by students, athletes and alumni annually. The 2024 game marked the 70th anniversary of the Classic.
“Four consecutive times, [Lan] Larison put the Aggies on his back to prevent the Hornets from having a chance to comeback,” Sac State Editor Ryan Lorez said in an article on the 2024 game. “The game-breaking play was Larison’s final carry, going up the gut for a 59-yard touchdown.”
With this game, UC Davis ended Sac State’s hopes of a playoff run in that season. Despite Sac State’s best efforts, Davis was able to win the game by consistently being on top of their own game.
Historically, UC Davis has dominated the regular season matchups, winning more than double the number of games in their shared conference. However, in their only postseason meeting, Sac State came out on top, proving their resilience and competitive spirit.
In basketball, both schools are part of the highest division in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division 1. While these two schools aren’t in the same conference, they have faced off plenty of times. Since 2008, UC Davis and Sac State have met 17 times on the field with the current record sitting at 9–8 in favor of Davis.
With no other major colleges in the area, UC Davis and Sac State naturally capture the attention of the local community in Yolo County. The rivalry between the two schools goes beyond individual sports such as football or basketball.
Both schools have a deep hunger for athletic success and regional pride for each sport. While both of these schools are in Division 1 of many sports, they have never experienced the high of winning an NCAA championship.
These two colleges often struggle when going up against more reputable programs during the regular season and postseason across multiple sports. But that shared experience has created a sense of mutual camaraderie and respect between them.
Their rivalry in football and basketball highlights just how evenly matched the schools can be at different points in time.
All of this only adds to the rivalry’s appeal. Every faceoff is exciting, competitive and important, as both teams can’t afford to fall behind one another. Neither side wants to fall behind, because losing to each other gets in their way of chasing a grander goal.
“Today the Causeway Classic is expanding, as you know, we have a rivalry in football between Sac State and UC Davis,” a Sac State faculty member said. “Now, the night before the Causeway Classic, we’re going to have a boxing match between Sac State and UC Davis.”
With the launch of Sac State’s boxing ring, it just shows the rivalry will continue to live on as the future unfolds. The ring proves both of these colleges will continue to invest in their athletic programs, as well as honor the rivalry.
The energy and significance of this long-standing rivalry are not going away anytime soon. The longevity of the rivalry marks something special about the bond UC Davis and Sacramento State share.
Written by: David Hu — sports@theaggie.org
