After conceding 13 unanswered points to the California Golden Bears before the half, UC Davis chipped in a 32-yard field goal to tie the match at 13-all, four minutes into the third quarter.
The two Northern California sides traded punts in an otherwise forgettable third quarter before California sophomore Christopher Brown, Jr. rushed five-yards up the middle for a California touchdown. California ended the third quarter with more than double the rushing yards than their opponents—165 to just 70 and an average 5.2-yards per rush.
California enters the last quarter of regulation with a seven-point lead over UC Davis, 20-13.