Davis Set for Senior Season

By Adam Froemming
Lincoln -- Senior Josh Davis has plenty of reasons to be content. After all, he has already spent the past two seasons re-writing parts of the Nebraska football record book. Despite the rock solid performance that has made him one of the nation's best return men entering this season, there is plenty of motivation for him to do even better and end his career on a tremendous note.

"I just want to win, that's the first thing," Davis said. "I want us to win this year and have fun out there. Last year, it wasn't fun losing games. It brings your attitude down. This year, I want us to come together and win games."

Last year, he smashed former kick returner Tyrone Hughes' school return record, setting an NU career return mark with 1,669 yards heading into this season.

Davis took over the kick return duties from Joe Walker in 2000 and has had 25 career returns over 25 yards, although he has yet to reach the end zone on a return. Davis also owns the top Nebraka mark for returns in a season, with 42 in 2002, and has the top two marks for return yards in a season after recording 994 yards last season and 675 as a sophomore in 2001. Davis also set the NU single-game return record with 186 yards on seven returns at Kansas State last year.

But don't think the 5-11 I-back is resting on his laurels heading into his final season in 2003.

"I don't think anyone is totally satisifed with the way that their career goes," Davis said. "I'm pleased with how I've been able to keep my health, that's probably the hardest thing. Playing for a long time, injuries come and go and you really can't control that. I'm just happy to be healthy right now."

Davis understands firsthand how serious the injury bug can be. In 2000 as a redshirt freshman, Davis tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in practice after seeing action in the first two games of the season.

Davis looks to 2003 with a sense of urgency following last season's 7-7 record. His intensity hasn't gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

"He doesn't cheat the game of football," running backs coach Tim Albin said. "He runs every play and every rep like it's his last one. It's a privilege to coach a guy like that."

On Tuesday, he was named the starter at I-back, and will make his first career start against the Cowboys.

While many consider being a return man one of the hardest positions to play in college football, Davis tries not to turn it into a science.

"I'm looking for where (the kicker) is going to kick the ball," Davis said. "I try not to think about it too much and make it difficult. I just try to field the ball and read my blocks."

Not only is Davis one of the top return men in college football, he was also NU's top receiver out of the backfield last season. On the year, he caught 10 balls for 58 yards. But it's his work ethic that makes him the proudest.

"I'm a hard worker," Davis said. "I try to outwork people and be a smart player."

Growing up the son of a Husker legend, Tony Davis (1973-74-75), Josh felt comfortable attending Nebraska.

"I didn't feel any pressure to come here," Davis said. "I just felt like it was a tradition-rich school and that winning seasons here come all the time. I knew I wanted to go somewhere where I-backs were used a lot, and this is I-back U."

Redshirting in 1999 helped Davis adjust to the college game and gave him an opportunity to learn from the older players on the team.

"I've learned a lot during my time here," Davis said. "I think about the first couple of years, picking up all the things from the older I-backs, mimicking all of the good things that they did, and trying to keep away from the bad habits that you have when you come in. That's a main thing (for a freshman), trying to learn from older guys when you get here."

After his playing days, Davis, who is will graduate in December, is undecided on his career options.

"I don't know what I'll be doing," Davis said. "I'll have to look at my options and see what I can do. I try not to look too far ahead, I try to go take it day by day and see what I can do each day to get better."

While he wants to be the best he can in life, Davis will also be number 1 on the field this season after switching from his old number 25, the number he has worn the past three seasons.

"(One) was my high school number," Davis said. "I wanted it when I got here, but Frankie London had it so I just settled for 25. (This year) it was open, so I figured 'why not?' and took it."