UC Davis vs Sacramento State: Causeway Classic Decides Final FCS Playoff Berth

The 72nd Causeway Classic kicks off with unprecedented stakes. No. 15 UC Davis hosts rival Sacramento State on Saturday, November 22. The game starts at 1 p.m. PT at UC Davis Health Stadium. The winner almost certainly clinches an FCS playoff spot. The loser faces an anxious Selection Sunday wait.

Both teams enter with identical 7-3 records in Big Sky Conference play. This historic rivalry now serves as a de facto playoff elimination game. According to UC Davis Athletics, the Aggies hold a two-game win streak in the series. Sacramento State arrives riding a three-game winning streak of its own.

Rivalry Intensity Meets Postseason Pressure

The atmosphere in Davis will be electric. This is one of the oldest football rivalries in Northern California. It dates back to 1954. The game consistently draws massive crowds and fierce competition.

This year, the stakes are dramatically higher. The FCS playoff field includes 24 teams. The Ivy League’s new participation reduces available at-large bids. A win here provides a crucial eighth victory, a key benchmark for the selection committee. Both teams understand what’s on the line.

The Aggies aim to rebound from a tough loss to Montana State. Sacramento State seeks to continue its late-season surge. The Hornets’ recent win over Idaho was a dramatic walk-off victory. Momentum is firmly on their side.

Sacramento State’s Ground Game Presents Major Challenge

The Hornets’ identity is built on a powerful running attack. They rank third nationally in FCS rushing offense. The team averages an impressive 256.8 yards per game on the ground.

Running back Rodney Hammond Jr. is the engine. He leads the Big Sky with 1,076 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He is not a one-man show, however. Cardell Williams has also scored 11 rushing touchdowns this season.

This dual-threat backfield makes Sacramento State notoriously difficult to defend. They have produced multiple 100-yard rushers in four of their last six games. The Aggie defense, led by standout linebacker Rex Connors, faces its toughest test.

UC Davis Counters With Balanced offensive Attack

The Aggies are far from one-dimensional. Redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Pinnick has been stellar. He has thrown for 22 touchdowns against just eight interceptions this season.

His top target, Samuel Gbatu Jr., has 53 catches for 822 yards. The offense has spread the wealth effectively. Ten different Aggie players have caught a touchdown pass in 2025.

Defensively, UC Davis has playmakers. Linebacker Rex Connors just set the program’s career tackles record. Defensive end Jacob Psyk, a Harvard transfer, provides a constant pass-rushing threat. They must contain the Hornets’ run game to succeed.

The outcome of the Causeway Classic will send one team to the postseason and leave the other hoping for a miracle. This rivalry game has never carried more weight.

Info at your fingertips

What are the playoff implications of this game?

The winner will almost certainly receive an FCS playoff berth. An eighth win is a key benchmark for the selection committee. The loser will need to rely on other results and hope for an at-large bid.

Who is the key player for Sacramento State?

Running back Rodney Hammond Jr. is the focal point. He leads the conference in rushing and has 11 touchdowns. Containing him is UC Davis’s primary defensive objective.

What is UC Davis’s home-field advantage?

UC Davis has been strong at home this season. They set a stadium attendance record earlier this year. The crowd will be a major factor in this high-pressure rivalry game.

What happens if the game is close?

Both teams have experience in tight contests. Sacramento State just won a walk-off game. UC Davis has shown resilience all season. Special teams and turnovers could decide a close finish.

Is this the last Causeway Classic?

It is not the last, but the dynamic may change. UC Davis is moving most sports to the Mountain West Conference. Football will remain in the Big Sky, so the annual rivalry is expected to continue.