Wednesday, October 16, 2002
The junior tackle has been a starter on the line since his freshman year.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Josh Davis has played a key role in the Youngstown State football program ever since he stepped on the campus as a freshman in 2000.
The 6-5, 286 pound tackle from nearby Lisbon is currently in his third season as a starter for the Penguins, although this is the first year he began the year in the starting lineup.
Davis has seen the offensive line make big strides in the past three weeks, a big reason the Penguins are on a three-game winning streak following Saturday's 24-17 win over Florida Atlantic in Miami, Fla.
Key matchup
The Penguins (4-2, 2-1 Gateway Conference) have a big conference matchup Saturday with defending Gateway champions Northern Iowa at Stambaugh Stadium.
The offensive line was a big disappointment early in the season. During the team's open week, head coach Jon Heacock and his staff made a few minor changes, moving junior guard Nick Roberts to center and putting junior center Will Sanders into the guard position.
According to Davis, those simple moves were big ones for the Penguins.
"We weren't playing well at all those first three games and then we made the switch," Davis said. "Nick [Roberts] is a great athlete and made the move easily and it has really made a difference in the way we've played the last three weeks."
"It just seems like the last two or three weeks we have really been going out and hitting people."
Davis isn't concerned about the YSU passing attack.
"We've been running the ball so well, that there hasn't been any need to throw it more often," he said. "But we know that down this stretch there's going to be a time when we'll have to throw and I think we're ready for that when it happens."
"Regardless of whether we've thrown or not these past three weeks, we have been working just as hard on the passing game in practice," he added. "We'll continue to work on that phase and we'll be ready for it when it comes."
Played in every game
Since coming to YSU from Lisbon, where he was a second team All-Ohio selection, Davis has played in every football game. He started three games as a freshman and started seven of the final eight games last season.
He earned offensive lineman of the week for his play against Illinois State last season. He was also part of the offensive line which set a school record averaging 280.3 rushing yards per game and scored 33.5 points per game.
Davis said that he expects a tough game this week against the Panthers after watching them on film. Northern Iowa comes into the contest with a 3-3 record and has lost two straight Gateway Conference games.
"They are very quick on defense," Davis said. "They are a good football team and we will need a much better effort Saturday to beat them."