Running back Nolan leads UC Davis over punchless SUU

DAVIS, Calif. — Running back Marcus Nolan rushed for 134 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown, and caught 12 passes for 71 yards, to lead UC Davis to a 27-7 victory over Southern Utah on Saturday.

John Grant completed 26-of-36 passes for 233 yards and two TDs for the Aggies (4-3, 1-1 Great Western Football Conference), who have won five straight home games dating back to last season.

With the Aggies ahead 17-0 at the half, Grant extended the lead when he threw his second touchdown pass to Luke McDonough early in the fourth quarter, and Emmanuel Benjamin kicked his second field goal, a 43-yard boot, late in the period.

The Thunderbirds (3-5, 0-2 GWFC) avoided a shutout when receiver Joey Hew Len caught a 14-yard pass from quarterback Wes Marshall with 8:21 left in the game.

Hew Len had five catches for 36 yards and Johhnu Sanchez had 38 rushing yards for the Thunderbirds, who completed a four-game road stretch.

"UC Davis came to play today and I'm not sure everyone on our side of the ball did," SUU coach Wes Marshall said. "We didn't match their intensity on either side of the ball. They were able to establish the run and when you establish the run it opens up a lot of things you can do."

Southern Utah plays host to North Dakota State in another GWFC contest next week.