UC Davis opens its home football season this Saturday (Sept. 10) with a Throwback Game celebrating Toomey Field (where the Aggies used to play) and other Aggie gridiron traditions, including script “Davis” helmets. Ticket prices are throwback, too, as low as $10. Get tickets here.

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See the home schedule below.

But this weekend’s game against Southern Oregon (6 p.m. kickoff) also launches new traditions at Aggie Stadium: the Kickoff Street Party and post-game access to the field, and upgraded concessions and an easing of the prohibition on bringing food into the stadium.

In announcing the new and improved game day experience, Director of Athletics Kevin Blue — who took the helm of the athletics department on June 21 — noted that many of the upgrades grew out of fan feedback, by way of a survey conducted after last season.

“The most important thing we could do for our fans is listen,” Blue said. “Our staff incorporated helpful fan feedback into these new policies. We look forward to making them part of new Aggie traditions.”

Now, for all those folks coming to see football this season, here’s what’s in store:

Kickoff Street Party — UC Davis Athletics will present this party starting three hours before kickoff of every game. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and the party also will include music, children’s activities and more — in front of the stadium’s main entrance and in the westbound lanes of La Rue Road adjacent to Aggie Tailgate Field. (La Rue Road will be closed in both directions between Hutchison and Garrod drives.)

“We want to give fans a chance to come out with their friends, enjoy a festive pregame atmosphere and get ready for the game in a new way,” Blue said.

Upgraded concessions — Athletics announced an expanded menu and new food trucks. Besides traditional stadium fare such as hot dogs, nachos and popcorn, look for brisket dogs, gyros, Philly steaks, burritos, salads, veggie wraps and chili. Specialized coffees and smoothies, and desserts and ice cream sandwiches will also be available throughout the games.

Pound the Pavement Tour

Within days of announcing the game-day refresh, Blue joined his coaches and other staff and Aggie student-athletes on Intercollegiate Athletics’ first #poundthepavement tour of campus departments and downtown businesses, expressing appreciation for their support of UC Davis athletics.

Also, combo meals for $5 and $8 will be available for children and adults. Signs will direct fans to their favorite foods in different parts of the stadium.

Outside food policy — Fans are now allowed to bring in light snacks or modest amounts of food for personal consumption. The water rule is unchanged: You can bring in sealed bottles.

The new food rule comes with an important reminder: Aggie Stadium has long been a national leader in being a zero-waste facility, so fans are encouraged to bring their food in reusable containers. Then, at game’s end, please take those containers home, and remove other trash as well.

“We received a lot of input from fans regarding the issue of bringing in food,” Blue said. “We think we've established a policy that enables increased flexibility for individuals and families who wish to bring in food of their choosing while also remaining committed to our zero-waste goal at Aggie Stadium.”

Throwback and a toss forward

The stadium announcer this Saturday will offer snippets of Aggie football history, covering a different decade each quarter. The in-game music — recorded and by the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh — will be geared to those decades as well.

After the game, fans will be invited to join the players and coaches on the field — replicating a proud Aggie tradition from Toomey Field. Now the football program is tossing that tradition across campus to Jim Sochor Field at Aggie Stadium, where, just like at Toomey, fan access to the field will be welcomed after every game. (There are four primary access points onto Sochor Field, and fans will be directed to the nearest one during postgame festivities.)

“Interacting with our student-athletes and coaches is a great experience for our supporters,” Blue said. “In particular, we hope that many young fans will take advantage of the opportunity to come down on the field and meet the great scholar-athlete role models on our team that represent UC Davis.”

Intercollegiate Athletics contributed to this report.

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Aggie home football schedule

All games are on Saturday. Kickoff Street Party begins three hours before kickoff.

Sept. 10 vs. Southern Oregon (kickoff 6 p.m.)

• Throwback Game, with ticket prices as low as $10, the same as 2006 during the Aggies’ last season at Toomey Field. The $10 tickets (including $3 ticket fee) are for berm seating, general admission. Throwback Game reserved tickets are $10 to $19, plus ticket fee.

Sept. 24 vs. Weber State* (kickoff 6 p.m.)

• 7th annual UC Davis Brewfest, featuring more than 100 beers. 3-5:30 p.m., Aggie Tailgate Field. Ticket packages include admission to the Brewfest and football game; Brewfest-only tickets are available only to football season ticket holders and students (21 and older). More information is available online.
• Welcome Back, Students! First game since the beginning of the fall semester includes the Running of the First-Years, who are invited to run through the stadium tunnel, onto the field.
• Faculty and Staff Appreciation, tickets available at a discount for faculty and staff ($10 berm general admission; $13 east side reserved; $17 west side reserved)

Oct. 15 vs. Northern Colorado* (kickoff 4 p.m.)

• Homecoming
• Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame Celebration
• Football Alumni Reunion

Nov. 5 vs. Portland State (kickoff 4 p.m.)

• Farm to Football
• Parent and Family Weekend

Nov. 19 vs. Sacramento State* (kickoff time to be announced)

• 63rd annual Causeway Classic
• Salute to Heroes

* Big Sky Conference

Tickets: Online, by phone, 530-752-AGS1 (2471), or in person at the UC Davis Ticket Office at Aggie Stadium's north end (open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday)