Wildcats Face Uphill Battle Against San Diego in PFL Clash
Davidson College prepares to host the San Diego Bullfighters this Saturday, October 25, 2025, at noon in a Pioneer Football League matchup that presents a significant challenge for the struggling Wildcats. The game, set to be broadcast on ESPN+, will take place at Davidson College Stadium (capacity 5,000) in Davidson, North Carolina.
Wildcats Seek to Break Losing Streak
Davidson enters the contest with a 1-6 overall record and an 0-3 mark within the PFL, following a decisive 45-0 defeat at the hands of Drake University on October 18th in Des Moines, Iowa. The team, under first-year Head Coach Saj Thakkar, is looking to turn the tide against a historically strong San Diego program. Despite the current difficulties, the Wildcats boast a strong recent history in the PFL, having achieved a 35-21 record since 2018, including two regular season championships and three FCS Playoff appearances.
San Diego Brings a Winning Pedigree to Davidson
The San Diego Bullfighters arrive in Davidson with a 3-4 overall record and a 1-2 record in conference play. Led by Head Coach Brandon Moore, who has a 15-14 record with the Bullfighters and a 28-17 career record, San Diego presents a formidable opponent. Historically, the series heavily favors San Diego, which leads with a 15-5 record over Davidson in 20 meetings.
Key Players to Watch
Despite the team’s overall struggles, senior Ivan Hoyt remains a bright spot for Davidson. Hoyt currently leads the Pioneer Football League in touchdown catches (7) and receiving yards per game (83.3), also ranking highly in receptions and yards per catch. He and teammate Brody Reina have combined for 11 scores this season, and 12 of Davidson’s 18 touchdowns have come through the air. For San Diego, Ja’seem Reed, the PFL’s top wide receiver, poses a significant threat, having recorded 14 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the last meeting between the two teams.
Series History Favors the Bullfighters
The series between Davidson and San Diego dates back to 2005, with San Diego holding a commanding lead. While Davidson secured an improbable 31-25 victory on the road in the Spring of 2021 – a game that ended San Diego’s 39-game conference winning streak – the Wildcats have struggled at home against the Bullfighters, posting a 2-8 record in Davidson. The most recent matchup, on November 2, 2024, resulted in a 40-13 San Diego victory.
Looking Ahead
Following this weekend’s game, Davidson will travel to Morehead State for a 1 p.m. kickoff next weekend. The team will need to regroup and find solutions to their offensive struggles, as evidenced by the recent shutout loss to Drake.
Last Time Out: Drake Dominates Davidson
Drake, the defending PFL champions, proved too strong for Davidson on October 18th, securing a 45-0 victory. Drake’s offense was relentless, finishing with 561 yards of total offense and forcing four turnovers. Despite the lopsided score, senior Ivan Hoyt continued his impressive performance with 12 catches for 148 yards. Davidson’s quarterback, Coulter Cleland, completed 22 of 41 passes for 252 yards.
Recapping the Previous Encounter: San Diego’s Second-Quarter Surge
In their last meeting on November 2, 2024, Davidson fell to San Diego 40-13. A pivotal moment in the game was a San Diego fumble recovery returned for a 73-yard touchdown, sparking a 30-point second quarter for the Bullfighters. Davidson’s scoring came from rushing touchdowns by Sam Valor and Luke Durkin. Despite the loss, junior Mari Adams surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career, becoming just the fourth Wildcat in program history to achieve this feat.
