Carter Vargas could return to action for UC Davis on Saturday when the Aggies host Illinois State in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The redshirt freshman has been out since sustaining an ankle injury on Nov. 1. The absence of Vargas has left Jordan Fisher to carry nearly all of the rushing load.

Fisher is clearly the No. 1 back after running for 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns. The junior has also put his hands to good use with 23 receptions  for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Kai Acia has given Fisher occasional breaks by gaining 136 yards on 27 carries in the past four games.

Vargas had 47 yards and eight carries in the first two games this season before having a breakout performance against Southern Utah on Sept. 20. He gained 136 yards with touchdown runs of 47 and 23 yards. Fisher rushed for 172 yards and also scored twice, the second being a 75-yard dash.

UC Davis rushed for a season-high 376 yards in beating Southern Utah 50-34. The Aggies had their second-high rushing total this season with 276 yards last Saturday in a 47-26 victory over Rhode Island in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Fisher ran for 145 and quarterback Caden Pinnick added a season-high 99.

Illinois State is allowing 134.9 rushing yards per game and held top-seeded North Dakota State to 59 in a 29-28 victory last Saturday. The Bison entered the game with an average of 212.6 rushing yards per game and finished with their lowest total since having 42 against Northern Iowa in 2014.

The return of Vargas could not come at a better time, but the Aggies could lose him whenever the season ends. Head coach Tim Plough is well aware of the statement by a representative of Vargas on social media that made it seem as if Vargas is thinking seriously of entering the transfer portal. 

Vargas might be thinking that staying at UC Davis will leave him playing second fiddle to Fisher in 2026. The right amount of money could persuade Vargas to take his talent to another school where he could carry the ball more often. Plough cannot blame Vargas for considering his options.

“Carter hasn’t let me know he’s in,” Plough said in response to the statement. “He doesn’t need to announce it. I know who’s recruiting him and and how much money they’re offering him. His opportunity to play at the some of the schools he’s being recruited by, it’s tough to turn that down.”

Such is the state of college football these days. Plough recruited Vargas to UC Davis and now has to try to talk the St. Joseph High (Santa Maria) graduate into staying. Plough will again sell Vargas on the value of a UC Davis education and the opportunity to reach his full potential with the Aggies.

“I think Carter would be better served to stay here two or three years and develop with (strength coach Jeff) Bourque,” said Plough, who added Bourque has been instrumental in the program’s recent success. “And maybe then the money he would be offered would get doubled or tripled.”

Plough has managed to retain players who had lucrative offers to leave. He did that last year after returning to UC Davis by convincing quarterback Miles Hastings and running back Lan Larison to stay. He did it again this season when FCS All-American safety Rex Connors was being courted. Connors is the Aggies’ all-time leader in tackles with 313.

Connors stayed because of his loyalty to his teammates, starting with his brother Conner. The twins both sustained season-ending injuries and have exhausted  their eligibility as far as the NCAA is concerned. The issue is whether the Aug. 23 opener against Mercer should count against them.

Lightning strikes led to the FCS Kickoff Classic being halted midway through the fourth quarter and eventually canceled. The game does not count, but the NCAA is counting it toward the brothers’ eligibility. Plough said the school has hired outside counsel to assist in appealing the NCAA ruling.

Plough has no qualms with older players wanting to leave because “they don’t owe us anything. They’ve already gotten their degrees and they played their butts off for us. If you’re a younger guy, I think the investment staying here two or three years before you leave would be the smarter move.

“If they feel like it’s time to go somewhere else, I will help them find that place. If Carter decides to stay, we’ll be thrilled. We love Carter. If Carter decides it’s time go, we’ll be really happy for him.”