Deebo Samuel runs past, over and through Eagles in 49ers’ blowout win
“I ain’t going to lie, I was in that zone all week as far as, they beat us in the NFC Championship, talking trash, I mean, it’s part of the game. Hopefully nobody took it to heart because it’s all fun and games.”
The 49ers deployed their offensive weaponry in a big way Sunday in a no-doubt 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, punking the defending NFC champions in their own yard.
Yet none in the cavalcade of stars — Brock Purdy, Christian Mccaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk — shone as brightly as Deebo Samuel.
The same Samuel who unabashedly told the world after Philly’s 31-7 win in last year’s title game that the 49ers lost because they played with 10 men after Purdy departed in the first
Deebo Samuel
quarter with a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. The guy who called Eagles cornerback James Bradberry ‘trash’ during Super Bowl week.
Samuel didn’t do much trashtalking this week other than to unflinchingly say he regretted nothing. He was apparently saving his energy to make a point not only to the Eagles but to everyone else he is still one of the NFL’S most unique and explosive weapons.
“I ain’t going to lie, I was in that zone all week as far as,
until June to help with the transition.
UCD athletics director Rocko Deluca introduced Plough to a full room at the Edwards Family Athletics Center, saying: “It’s an exciting day for our football program and for the Plough family. This is a programdefining day.”
Plough approached the podium, all smiles and emotions.
“No chance I can get through this without crying,” Plough said. “My buddies are in waders in the back. It’s a great day to be an Aggie.”
Plough then took a moment to collect himself. He teared up to the point that the words would not come out. It was a reminder that in a tough-guy sport heavy on blocking and tackling, it is OK to cry. No one has ever doubted how much Plough cares for his school and his craft.
“It’s a great feeling to be home,” Plough continued. “Davis is home for my family and me. I say we because this decision is about my family. My wife (Christine) is a former Aggie, and she was a helluva intramural football player, too.”
Plough is known for his creative offensive mind, for stretching and buckling defenses with an offense he calls “Shredville,” and for his humor.
A four-year letter winner at UC Davis, through the 2007 season, the 38-year-old Plough said an Aggies career highlight came in 2005. That’s when UC Davis stunned Stanford with a late touchdown drive, a milestone moment for a program that has produced 21 playoff teams, 30 conference championships and once reeled off 37 consecutive winning seasons. Plough was a reserve quarterback who celebrated that win then and now.
“Christine went to watch the Steve Miller Band instead of the game,” Plough said, igniting laughter.
Those in attendance included Aggie boosters, alums, faculty and staffers and former UCD coaches and players. Christine and their three sons, Jackson, Camden and Bodie, were also in attendance.
Plough is the fourth former UCD player to become the program’s head coach, following
Bob Foster (1989-92),
Bob Biggs (19932012) and Hawkins (2017-2023). Each won conference championships and spoke regularly about “Aggie Pride.” They all attended Monday’s event.
Plough thanked each of them and other former Aggies coaches such as Mike Moroski, Fred Arp and Lou Bronzan. He expressed deep appreciation for Jim Sochor, who coached the Aggies from 1970-88 and landed in the college Hall of Fame for his impact on the sport. Sochor met weekly with Plough for
Monday morning coffee sessions, right up until his death in 2015. The initial invitation from Sochor came when Plough first got into coaching with the Aggies.
“In 2008, I got a random text from Jim Sochor, and he speaks in code, and he asked: ‘Young man, have you found joy?’ If joy is what you seek, meet me for coffee,’” Plough said. “We talked about life and we talked about joy. The main word was joy. A week before we lost him, I got a note from Sochor in the mail about this day happening. It feels great to keep that promise today.”
Plough ever since his Sochor chats has talked often about finding joy in every day. In games, that means pushing a defense to the brink. Plough said the Aggies will throw the ball and run it, and they will do so with tempo. He will have the Big Sky Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year to work with in Lan Larison, the leading rusher in the conference in 2023.
“Tempo is a weapon,” Plough said. “It’s fundamental like blocking and tackling. We want to create high tempo and drag (defenders) into deep water and see if they can swim. We want to make defenses feel like they’re getting choked out with all the formations and the attack-minded philosophy.”
Plough’s immediate tasks are to jump on recruiting with signing days for high school seniors starting later this month and in February. He will also navigate the new waters of NIL — Name, Image and Likeness — and the transfer portal. Those are game-changers in college football. Plough said the Aggies may lose some to the transfer portal, the nature of the business, but UCD can also gain some players through the portal.
“We want to create an environment here where it’s hard to leave Davis,” Plough said.
Plough ribbed exteammates who attended the event to reach into their wallets and to donate — and to spread the word. Donations are vital in this sport. It’s a big reason why the Aggies have such nice facilities.
“The team that won the Big Sky this year (Montana) has 500 donors,” Plough said. “We have 75. Let’s compete. Let’s get our numbers up there.”
The new coach added: “We’re going to find joy every day. My No. 1 goal is that our players receive their degree.
The next goal is to beat that team down south
(Cal Poly) and to kick the crap out of the team across the Causeway (Sacramento State), to win this conference and to try to win a national championship. It’s OK to talk about it. If I didn’t think it was possible, I wouldn’t be here.”
To add to the joy theme: Sacramento State’s coach, Andy Thompson, is Plough’s best friend in the business.