USF freshman Davis makes impact

Posted Sep 18, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 17, 2011 at 11:38 PM

Freshman WR Andre Davis, a Jefferson High product who was part of USF’s 2011 recruiting class, made his debut last week against Ball State. Saturday night against Florida A&M, he made his first impact.

Davis caught three consecutive passes on the Bulls’ next-to-last offensive drive of the first half, the last a 27-yarder from QB B.J. Daniels that went for his first career touchdown. It was the final score for USF’s offense in a 49-point first-half outburst, which tied a school record for most points in a single half (Cumberland, 1998).

“I think Andre Davis is going to be a talent,” USF coach Skip Holtz said. “That was one of the things we wanted to see tonight when we got an opportunity to play some of these guys, to see the ball in the air and see what they could do. ... Andre Davis is going to be special.”

Davis wasn’t done, though. He blocked a punt in the third quarter, recovered the ball and returned it 11 yards for another touchdown. It marked the second consecutive game USF’s special teams produced a touchdown.

“We were setting up a return. I came free and blocked it,” Davis said. “I never played special teams like this in high school. This was a different feeling. It was a thrill.”

REVERSAL OF FORTUNES: USF ranked near the bottom of FBS programs a year ago with just five fumble recoveries, but that has changed dramatically so far in 2011.

The Bulls recovered their fifth fumble of the season in the opening quarter against the Rattlers to match their entire output in 2010 three games into the season. Sophomore DT Luke Sager pounced on the loose ball, which was the first fumble recovery of his career.

It was one of two first-half turnovers for the Bulls defense. Junior S Jon Lejiste had an interception in the first quarter, the second of his career.

The USF offense made the most of both takeaways, converting both into touchdowns.

DANIELS CLIMBS CHARTS: B.J. Daniels accounted for two touchdowns in the opening quarter Saturday night, and both helped him move up in the career record books.

Daniels threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to senior WR A.J. Love on his first attempt of the game, which was his 28th career scoring pass. That moved him into third on the school’s all-time list, passing Chad Barnhardt.

Daniels also moved into a tie for eighth place on the career rushing touchdowns list, with former RBs Mo Plancher and Ben Williams, with a 5-yard scoring run in the first quarter. It was his first rushing touchdown of the season and 15th of his career.

BULLS BITS: This is the fifth time in the last six years USF has started 3-0. … The Bulls improved to 2-0 all-time against Florida A&M and 15-0 against FCS opponents since 2001, when USF became a full FBS member. … USF improved to 13-9 when playing as a nationally-ranked team. … Freshman OL Darrell Williams made his debut Saturday, becoming the fifth member of the 2011 recruiting class to play this season. … Sophomore CB JaQuez Jenkins (hamstring) sat out his second straight game, though senior WR Joel Miller returned after missing last week with a concussion. ... Freshman DT Elkino Watson finished with a team-best seven tackles, the second consecutive game he’s recorded seven tackles. ... Senior DE Rony Delisca recorded his first career sack in the fourth quarter.