GRAND FORK (AP) - UC Davis coach Bob Biggs still remembers the raucous atmosphere from his trip to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks seven years ago.

"I literally could not talk to a coach standing right next to me," said Biggs, recalling the 2001 NCAA Division II semifinal game between his Aggies and the University of North Dakota.

"It was as noisy as can be. They had a great crowd there. And the noise affected us a bit. We had a number of illegal movement penalties," Biggs recalled.

Seven to be exact. And the noise generated by UND fans helped the Sioux beat UC Davis 14-2 during their national championship season.

Both teams are now members of the Great West Football Conference. UND will play at UC Davis on Saturday night in its inaugural Great West league game.

The game will be a measuring stick for the Sioux to see how they stack up against an established team in their conference and against one that recently completed its transition to full Division I FCS status.

Biggs said he can't remember many of the UND players or plays from the 2001 game. But he knows the philosophy of the 2001 Sioux and the 2008 Sioux hasn't changed much.

"North Dakota was sound back then and they continue to be sound," Biggs said. "They play hard and within their system. That's what jumps out at you the most. They do what they're supposed to do."

UC Davis left Division II after the 2002 season. The Aggies now are eligible for Division I FCS postseason play. But they're 4-4 this season, with three of their losses coming by a combined 11 points.

The losses were on the road at Division I FBS member San Jose State (13-10), FCS power Montana (29-24) and Central Arkansas (24-21).

The Aggies have won their last three games, averaging 46 points per game. But UC Davis' 55-24 win last week came against Iona, a team that ranks No. 119 out of 125 teams in the latest Gridiron Power Index.

UC Davis' strength appears to be its offense. Quarterback Greg Denham has completed 190 of 279 passes for 2,085 yards and 18 touchdowns. He's been intercepted 10 times.

"Our quarterback is finally getting into a comfort zone," Biggs said.

In all, UC Davis quarterbacks have thrown for 2,315 yards.

Three of Denham's receivers have 36 or more receptions, led by Chris Carter who has 47 catches for 549 yards. Bakari Grant, with 45 catches for 523 yards, and Brandon Rice, with 36 catches for 488 yards, are Denham's other top receivers. All three have five touchdowns.

The UC Davis defense is anchored by lineman John Faletoese, the Great West preseason defensive player of the year. Faletoese has blocked five kicks during his career, four of them field-goal attempts.

UND has been involved in three straight high-scoring games.

"Both teams have shown the ability to put points on the board," Biggs said. "Both defenses have been susceptible to giving up points. My guess is that both teams will be able to move the ball effectively.

"It'll probably come down to which team doesn't turn the ball over."