Davis Making Big Impact for Northwest Missouri

By David Boyce

Northwest Missouri junior defensive end Roberto Davis headed into the locker room at halftime of the NCAA Division II semifinals on top of the college football world.

Sure, there were players at Alabama and Texas just as happy last Saturday. They are going to be playing in the BCS championship game in front of 100,000 fans and millions more on television.

But given where Davis started, the two-year interruption in his college football career and the resumption at lower levels, the game-changing play he made just before halftime against California (Pa.) had to be the thrill of his football career.

The Bearcats were clinging to a 14-10 lead with just six seconds remaining before halftime. Davis blocked the punt and freshman Billy Creason picked up the football and scored a touchdown.

Northwest Missouri went into halftime ahead by 11 points.

"The whole team was telling me that was a big play for us," Davis said. "The momentum changed in the game. That was real exciting for me."

The Bearcats went on to win 56-31 and earned their fifth straight trip to the NCAA Division II championship game.

Northwest Missouri, 13-1, will face Grand Valley, 13-1, noon Saturday at Braly Memorial Stadium in Florence, Ala.

"It means so much to me, especially after sitting out," Davis said. "There is no other feeling like it. There are only two teams left that are practicing at Division II and getting ready for this game. For us to be one of those teams is a big honor."

Davis, a native of Copperas Cove, Texas, has taken a bit of a journey to arrive at Northwest Missouri.

After graduating from Copperas Cove High School, his college career couldn't have started better. He appeared in 14 games as an offensive lineman as a true freshman at New Mexico State.

Davis redshirted his next season at New Mexico State. In 2007 he went to Reedley Community College in California and was a part time student. He returned to the football field in 2008 for Reedley.

"I'd say it was frustrating sitting out and watching everybody else get to play after I got to play my true freshman year," Davis said. "I got to start and then the next year I redshirted. So it was two years out of playing the game I love."

Davis enjoyed team success at Reedley. His team played for the Northern California championship game.

"It was the best feeling playing for a championship," Davis said.

He was looking for a program that was good enough to play for a title. Northwest Missouri coach Mel Tjeerdsma was looking to add some depth at the defensive line.

"We saw Roberto on a junior college tape and we really liked what we saw," Tjeerdsma said. "We liked his speed, his quickness. We went after him and got him at the semester.

"He's really helped out our pass rush. He's quick off the ball. And of course he makes some big plays on special teams."

Davis really opened some eyes Oct. 3 when Northwest Missouri lost a couple of defensive linemen against Missouri Western. One of the players who went down was Sean Paddock.

Davis stepped into Paddock's spot and made some big plays, including a sack and a fumble recovery in a 49-35 victory.

"It was a big confidence booster for me," Davis said. "I sit behind Sean Paddock. He's a great defensive lineman. Knowing that I contributed and was able to be a part of something special meant a lot to me."

But it's on special teams that Davis has made the biggest impact. The starters on offense and defense appreciate the work the players on special teams put in to help the Bearcats win.

It is definitely noticed.

"Special teams is where some of the back-ups make their money," Northwest Missouri junior quarterback Blake Bolles said. "Roberto has done a great job for us at defensive end but for him to come up with some of the big plays on special teams has been huge.

"It's an opportunity for guys who don't start to play that secondary role which is their starting spot on special teams. They really thrive on making big plays."

So Davis is now going to his first NCAA Division II championship game. It was what he was after when he decided to go to Northwest Missouri.

The game on Saturday will be a new experience for him. He's talked with teammates about what to expect.

"The thing around here is it's a national championship but everybody is treating it as just another game," he said. "The fact they have been here before and they want to get over that hump. But they don't really talk about the losses.

"It's more about right now. For me it's a new experience, but I'm trying to fit in with the team and treat it as another game."

To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com.