UC Davis head coach Tim Plough is loosening the reins on quarterback Treynor Cleeland by letting the redshirt freshman change plays at the line of scrimmage. To allow a relative rookie to freelance is a change for Plough, who usually bestows the privilege to quarterbacks with far more experience.

The game plan for Northern Colorado last Saturday was similar to those Plough devised for senior Miles Hastings in 2024. To entrust Cleeland to handle such a responsibility is a testament to how he has digested the playbook and learned how difficult it is to please a coach who never accepts less.

A 17-0 lead was halftime as not enough to spare Cleeland from Plough’s wrath. Plough did not turn quarterback Jake Maier into the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2018 and make Hastings the Aggies all-time leader in passing yards (11,168) by handling the two with kid gloves all the time.

The same goes for Cleeland, who is learning he will need a thick skin. “I was really upset with him at the end of the first half,” Plough said. “I think he changed 14 plays. That’s close to what Miles and Jake used to do. There were still eight to 10 plays that I’m not happy with. I’m sure he’s not either.”

Cleeland did his part in the Aggies’ 33-6 victory byu throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He bounced back after a 38-17 loss at Southern Utah in which he did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time in six games when he has had 30 or more attempts. He was 25-for-33 (75.8 percent) against Northern Colorado.

That was Cleeland’s highest completion percentage this season, another sign that he is coming into his own. Plough attributed that to Cleeland being “really motivated” to have the freedom for the first time to change plays. “He felt like he was finally ready to do it,” Plough said. “He took a huge step.”

Saturday’s game at Weber State could be an ideal opportunity for Cleeland to put his right arm to good use. Weber State is tied with Idaho for the second-most touchdown passes allowed by a Big Sky defense at 21. Portland State has allowed the most at 23, including two to Cleeland on Aug. 28.

RECRUIT TO RIVAL: Plough is picky in recruiting quarterbacks and usually pursues no more than three a year. One this year was Nate Dahle, who threw for 4,005 yards and 54 touchdowns as a Ridgeline High senior. Plough and offensive coordinator Paul Shelton flew to Utah to sell Dahle on UC Davis.

Plough also offered a scholarship to Trevor Taumoepeau and the Mt. Carmel High quarterback committed to the Aggies as Dahle remained undecided. Dahle chose to stay in Utah and go to Weber State. Dahle is starting as a true freshman with the Wildcats, who will host the Aggies on Saturday.

Dahle has thrown for 1.813 yards and 18 touchdowns along with rushing for 394 yards and one score. “I’m not shocked at all about (Dahle’s) success. We do understand how talented he is,” Plough said. “We’ve been rooting for him from afar, but we won’t be rooting for him this Saturday.”

PLAYOFF PROSPECTS: Plough believes Saturday’s battle of ranked teams will have little impact on either’s hopes of making the FCS playoffs. Each team has five wins and Plough said eight is the magic number to qualify. The Aggies made it in each of Plough’s first two seasons as head coach.

UC Davis is 20th in the Stats Perform Top 25 and 21st in the FCS coaches poll. Weber State is only ranked by Stats Perform at No. 22. UC Davis is one of five Big Sky teams ranked in both polls. The others are No. 3 Montana State, No. 7 Northern Arizona, No 16 Montana and No. 23 Idaho State. 

UC Davis is 3-2 in the Big Sky and 5-3 overall with four games remaining. Weber State is 4-2 and 5-4 with three games to go. “I think it’s a great resume game. If you beat a ranked team, it’s always going to help you,” Plough  said. “I think a win for either team really puts you in a great spot.”