(STATS) – Josh Davis suffered a season-ending injury on the first play of Weber State’s 2017 opener, but did the true freshman ever leave a lasting image with a 46-yard kickoff return.
This season, when injuries to the Wildcats’ top two returning rushers opened additional playing time, Davis was more than ready to answer the call as a redshirt freshman. The 2018 Jerry Rice Award winner led all FCS rookies in rushing and all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns as the Big Sky tri-champions reached the national quarterfinals for the second straight postseason.
“It’s just been a fun year to be a part of this team and win another championship and compete in the playoffs,” said Davis, whose Utah high school is about an hour’s drive from Weber State.
“To me, all of these accomplishments aren’t about me,” he added. “All of my honors are as much our offensive line and our receivers as they are mine. I don’t do anything but see the holes they give me and try to hit them. I have a great line, great fullbacks and great receivers blocking for me – and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”
Davis didn’t play in the opening game this season, but he made his first career start the following week and rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ first win. With the ability to gain the tough yards or break off a long run, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder went over 100 yards eight times, including two games over 200 yards, and finished with 1,362 yards on 250 carries. He averaged 148.3 all-purpose yards per game.
The Big Sky’s top rookie was the only player in the nation to earn two STATS national freshman of the week honors.
Davis will receive the Jerry Rice Award at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet Friday night in Frisco, Texas.
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