SAN DIEGO Ñ Easing right in isnÕt exactly the way to describe Randy WrightÕs tenure as UC DavisÕ starting quarterback.

A 52-3 loss at Cal followed by a 41-33 defeat at the hands of Portland State in successive weeks is more like getting thrown into the fire. But the 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman got into a bit of a groove in his third game and the result was a 38-24 win over University of San Diego on Saturday.

Wright completed 14 of 23 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns but, more importantly, throwing two picks didnÕt faze him.

ÒIÕm definitely getting more confident and comfortable as the days go on,Ó he said. ÒThe other guys see me in the huddle and see me taking snaps, and the more games I get under my belt, the more confident IÕll get.Ó

His confidence had to be soaring after running a successful two-minute drill before the end of the first half. Wright needed just seven plays and 1:41 to drive UCD 60 yards before he hooked up with Stephen Dunstan on a pretty 22-yard touchdown pass.

Wright completed 5-of-6 passes on the drive and showed his ability to stay cool while racing against the clock.

USD defensive end Mario Kurn sacked Wright twice, but didnÕt frustrate the rhythm that had been established in the pocket.

ÒHe got hit a lot and he keeps coming back,Ó UCD head coach Bob Biggs said. ÒThatÕs part of playing quarterback. You have to be able to take the hits.Ó

Certainly, Biggs and his staff wonÕt hesitate to dial long distance after Wright heaved a 38-yard TD to tight end Dean Rogers in the first quarter. Despite hitting his funny bone before the half, Wright missed just one play in the second half, returned to the game and appeared to be fine.

Nice haul: Wideouts Sean Creadick and Dean Rogers were among WrightÕs favorite targets. Creadick had a team-high five receptions and he tallied 67 yards. Sophomore Anthony Soto nabbed four balls for 30 yards and Rogers had four catches for 71 yards.

USDÕs Godfrey Smith was the ToreroÕs most potent weapon as he had game-highs of nine catches and 174 yards. His 44-yard TD in the second quarter put the Toreros on the board.

Flags a-flying: Coming into the San Diego game, UCD ranked second among FCS schools in penalties (two) and sixth nationally in fewest penalty yardage (44). That all changed with the AggiesÕ 10 flags for a cool 100 yards against San Diego. Biggs was clearly irked by that.

Baller in the house: Former UCD quarterback and current San Diego Charger J.T. OÕSullivan took in the game from the sideline, holding his young son. In all, the Aggie fan

contingent was quite strong among the paid attendance of 2,562.

SoCal sojourn: It was a nice homecoming for the members of the Aggies who grew up in the San Diego area. Among them DE Bobby Erskine, RB Corbin Cutshaw, OL Ivan Perez and safety Jeff Freeman. Erskine and Perez sat out the game with injuries.

Just kickinÕ it: Aggie junior kicker Sean Kelley hit a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give UCD a 31-17 advantage. The Great West Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year is 4-for-4 on the season and has nailed 8-of-9 PATs.

SAN DIEGO Ñ Consider the monkey strapped to the UC Davis football team officially removed.

It didnÕt go quietly, but away it went, and the Aggies posted their first win of the 2010 campaign by doling out a 38-24 beating to the University of San Diego on Saturday night. Using its superior size and speed, UCD (1-2) overwhelmed the Toreros on their home turf at Walter J. Zable Field at Torero Stadium, piling up 186 yards on the ground and five touchdowns in all.

UCD managed to avoid going winless after three games for the first time since 1979, when the Aggies went 0-2-1. The last UCD squad to start 0-3 was in 1965, but it was clear from the start

that the Toreros would be the team dropping its third consecutive contest.

ÒIt feels good to get the monkey off our back,Ó UCD linebacker Dozie Amajoyi said. ÒWe have high

expectations for the season. It was big just for morale in the locker room and to keep everybodyÕs heads up.Ó

An impressive running attack led by junior tailback Josh Reese finally broke free and imparted its will on San Diego. Reese finished with 104 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Sophomore Nick Aprile added 85 on 10 carries and even tossed a TD to tight end Dean Rogers out of a Gator formation.

Reese credited the offensive line with the extra push he needed to wreak havoc on the Torero defense.

ÒWhen my big guys go all out for me, I go all out for them,Ó he said. ÒIt was nice to see some running room.Ó

Reese, the Davis High product, burst through a gaping hole for a 12-yard score in the second quarter. He also tacked on another six points for the Aggies on a 17-yard run to give his team a sizable 28-10 cushion.

ÒI hit the seam and saw daylight and my eyes got all big,Ó Reese said of his third-quarter TD. ÒWe definitely believed the offensive was effective, especially on the ground.Ó

For all that went right, UCD head coach Bob Biggs wasnÕt ready to declare his squad fixed. Luckily, four turnovers didnÕt derail the Aggie Express, nor did the 10 penalties that racked up 100 yards. UCD has turned the ball over nine times in the first three games.

ÒItÕs good to get a win, but I gotta be honest; I wasnÕt pleased,Ó Biggs said. ÒIt was a sloppy game. There were way too many penalties.Ó

Late in the third quarter, a muffed punt return by UCDÕs Danny Hart set up the Toreros in the red zone. Four plays later San Diego quarterback Mason Mills found Jon Harris for a 5-yard TD toss that trimmed the AggiesÕ advantage to 28-17.

The non-scholarship Toreros capitalized on UCDÕs miscues. In the second quarter, San Diego used an interception to set up a Stanley Shurson field goal that cut the lead to 14-10 and swing the momentum.

ÒWeÕve got to play better,Ó Biggs said. ÒWe just canÕt continue to turn the ball over. If you do that, youÕre going to struggle.Ó

Despite throwing two |interceptions, Aggie redshirt freshman QB Randy Wright managed the offense well and threw for 202 yards and two TDs. Using a hurry-up offense, Wright effortlessly guided the Aggies down the field at the end of the second half, connecting with wide

receiver Stephen Dunstan for a 22-yard TD.

It was a much-needed shot in the arm, as the play staked the Aggies to a 21-10 lead.

But it was the consistent ground game that really marked the evening for UCD.

ÒThe run saved us tonight,Ó said Wright, who was 14-of-23 passing. ÒIt opened up some passing lanes, which was helpful.Ó

Tight end Dean Rogers capped a stellar evening with a 2-yard TD pass from Aprile in the final period. His 38-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter had put the Aggies up 7-0 and showcased WrightÕs arm.

After that, San Diego used some trickery to get on the board. Godfrey Smith hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass on a halfback option from Sam Hoekstra. But the TorerosÕ running game was non-existent, and Mills was chased by Aggie defenders much of the night. Mills

finished 24-for-40 with 221 yards passing and two TDs.

ÒWe played decent,Ó Wright said, Òbut not as good as our potential.Ó

Much like the tough-minded Wright, who sat out a series with a dinged-up elbow, the

Aggies persevered and earned the all-important first ÒWÓ.