University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Davis Named Butkus Award Semifinalist
10/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Davis Named Butkus Award Semifinalist
Hattiesburg, Miss. - The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc., has announced that Southern Miss senior linebacker Rod Davis is one of 11 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is awarded annually to the best linebacker in college football. Davis was the only player from a Conference USA school named to the list as well as the only player who plays in a non-BCS conference.
The list was determined by confidential balloting of the 28-member Butkus Award Selection Committee, comprised of the nation's foremost media members. The selection committee made its selections from the initial Butkus Award Watch List of 90 college linebackers, which was announced on Aug. 21, 2003.
On Thurs., Nov. 13, The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc., will announce the three finalists for this year's Butkus Award at a national press/teleconference in Orlando. The three Butkus Award finalists and their coaches will participate in the announcement. The 2003 Butkus Award Presentation Ceremony will be held on Fri., Dec. 12, 2003, at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World.
The other 10 semifinalists are Michael Boulware, Florida State; Josh Buhl, Kansas State; Karlos Dansby, Auburn; Matt Grootegoed, USC; Derrick Johnson, Texas; Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma; Jonathan Vilma, Miami, Fla.; Courtney Watson, Notre Dame; Demorrio Williams, Nebraska; D.J. Williams, Miami, Fla.
Davis, a two-time All-American and the No. 2 player listed on the top 150 list by CollegeFootballNews.com's preseason list, leads Southern Miss in tackles (77), solo tackles (55) and ties for the team lead in tackles for loss (9.0) and forced fumbles (2). He is ranked second in the nation in total tackles, sixth in solo tackles and 23rd in tackles for loss.
He currently holds the school record for most solo tackles in a career (304), is second in total tackles (439) and fumble recoveries (8), third in tackles for loss (49.5) and seventh in sacks (14.5). In Conference USA career numbers, Davis is No. 2 in career tackles and eighth in tackles for loss.
In 2002, Davis led the Golden Eagles in tackles (168), solo tackles (122), tackles for loss (23.5), sacks (10.5) and fumble recoveries (3). He also had two interceptions and forced a fumble. He was No. 3 in solo tackles, No. 6 in total tackles, tied for No. 13 in tackles for loss and tied for No. 18 in sacks. He was awarded the 2002 Conerly Trophy, given to the top player in the state of Mississippi and was the first defensive player to ever win the award. He also was selected to several All-America squads.
Southern Miss is 3-3 overall and 3-0 in Conference USA, tied with TCU and Houston for first place. The Golden Eagles face USF at M. M. Roberts Stadium on Sat., Oct. 25, at 2:07 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Ferlise Center on Fourth Street, by calling 1-800-844-TICK or 601-266-5418 or on www.SouthernMiss.com.
