Santa Clara's win over UC Davis has vaulted the Broncos into the California Conference conversation.

Bolstered by a strong game from flyhalf Lucas Domine, Santa Clara ran out to a 13-0 lead midway through the first half. Domine accounted for all of those points with a try, conversions, and two penalty goals, the try coming off a nicely-timed interception as UCD worked their way toward midfield.

David rebounded well and scored twice to make it a one-point game at 13-12 ten minutes into the second half. The second was a very well-taken try that involved a patient buildup and some nifty passing to get th score in the corner. 

But as time told Santa Clara retook the momentum. Reserve Vincent Carrubba's try, with Domine's conversion, made it a two-score game against at 20-12. The try capped off a serious of silly penalties by Davis. Finally, camped out on the Aggie line, Santa Clara went over as Carrubba stretch as far as he could go and just touched down on the line. Flanker Connor Pearson capped it off with a try to make it 25-12. That moves Santa Clara to 1-1 and with that one loss to Saint Mary's, the Broncos are in a good position to chase a #2 spot in the California.

There are, however, several challenging games to come.

One of them will be in two weeks against Grand Canyon. GCU moved to 2-0 after beating UC Santa Barbara 62-17. Flanker Ronald Sallee scored three tries in the first 32 minutes. Wing Christopher Berry also scored three tries while flyhalf Royce Fisher kept the scoreboard ticking over with his goalkicking and ran the attack smartly.

Also undefeated in the California is, of course, Saint Mary's. Playing with a ton of pace and controlling the point of contact nicely, the Gaels defeated Cal Poly 46-10. Wing Jonathan Hackett was especially electric, center Tavite Lopeti was very difficult to bring down, and forwards Chase Jones and Joe Marchant put in a full day's work. Hackett scored two tries while Jones and Marchant got one each.

More impressive was the defensive effort from Saint Mary's, and even when they were in danger of giving up a try, they held firm.