Sports

Starting tailback Joe Trombetta was out. Same with top reserve Brandon Tucker. But it didn’t matter,as freshmen running backs Corbin Cutshaw and Josh Reese combined for202rushing yards to help UC Davis to a55-24victory over Iona.

On Oct.13,the Aggies (11-2-2) became the No.7team in the nation and were flying high after a win at then No.15UC Santa Barbara. This week,however,didn’t fare as well for the Aggies as they suffered their first Big West Conference defeat at the hands of UC Riverside,2-1.

Saturday was the day for the Aggies to learn how to race on the national stage.While there,they met – and beat – teams from all over the country. Finishing23rd in the “White” race,the Aggies beat teams such as Texas,Colorado State andCincinnati.Although they raced in the separate “Blue” race,the Aggies ran a much faster team-time than Big West Conference members UC Irvine and UC Riverside.

The Aggies‘ topsy-turvy season continues.The UC Davis women’s volleyball team was on the upside of things this weekend,earning its first Big West Conference victories to double last season’s conference win total.

Going into this weekend,the UC Davis women’s cross country team was one of the best teams no one knew about. Now,people know.

Everyone knew it was going to be a tough weekend,but not this tough. Head coach Steve Doten tested his players this weekend by scheduling games with two of the nation’s best in No.5Pepperdine and No.3California. The Aggies dropped their first contest by a score of14-9on Friday,and then fell11-2on Saturday.

Men’s and women’s swimming and diving The Aggies men’s and women’s teams have been picked to finish second and third in the2008-09Big West Conference Swimming and Diving Coaches Poll,respectively.

Teams:UC Davis vs.Iona Records:Aggies,3-4; Gaels,3-3 Where:Aggie Stadium When:Saturday at7p.m.

Teams:No.7UC DavisatUC Riverside Records:Aggies,11-1-2 (3-0-2); Highlanders,3-9-2 (0-4-0) Where:UCR Soccer Stadium – Riverside,Calif. When:Saturdayat6p.m.

Teams:No.13UC Davis vs.No.4Pepperdine; No.5California Records:Aggies,7-8; Waves,12-4; Golden Bears,10-4 When:Friday at7pm; Saturday at noon Where:SchaalAquaticsCenter

Teams:UC Davis at CalState Northridge Records:Aggies,6-4-3 (1-2-1); Matadors,5-7-1 (0-2-0) Where:Matador Soccer Field – Northridge,Calif. When:Today at2:30p.m.

Event:NCAA Pre-Nationals; Santa Clara Brono Invitational Where:LaVern Gibson Course – Terre Haute,Ind.; Baylands Park – Santa Clara,Calif. When:Saturday at11:35a.m.; 9:45a.m. Who to watch:There’s one problem with having a great front-runner and a very talented group of freshmen:another top runner can be overlooked.