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| BYU Linebacker Bob Davis (1986-89). Photo courtesy BYUCougars.com |
Last week, the Blue Cougar Football Flashback highlighted linebacker Uani Unga's 2013 season when he had a breakout season and finished with 143 tackles. There was another BYU Cougars linebacker 30 years ago who had a similar breakout season. The only difference was that year, the nation took greater notice.
After his sophomore season, there were signs that BYU could count on Bob Davis being a very productive defender. Slowed by injuries, he didn't take over the staring spot until midway through the season and had two games with 10-plus tackles (11 vs. Hawaii, 12 vs. UTEP). He finished with 64 tackles, plus 13 tackles against Virginia in the bowl.
In 1988, Davis was healthy the entire season. Opponents were forced to deal with number 36, because he was all over the field.
The first four games, Davis had 10, 11, 11, and 10 tackles, respectively. Three of the first four opponents were some of the best teams the Cougars faced that season. Wyoming finished 11-1; UTEP 10-2. Texas was nationally ranked at the time.
Davis showed he was human with just five tackles in game five, or it was a sign that Colorado State was that bad. The Rams completed 10 passes and ran the ball 26 times. The Cougar defense had just 36 tackles as a whole.
Davis came right back with 11 tackles against TCU and a season-high 16 in Hawaii.
He had an interception to go along with five tackles in a 65-0 win against New Mexico. Like Colorado State, the Lobos had just 10 pass completions and 26 rushing attempts.
Just like the first time he had five tackles, Davis had double-digit tackles the next two games. He notched 15 take downs against San Diego State. With 14 tackles the next game, Davis went over 100 for the season.
Davis had to have arthroscopic surgery on his knee following the Utah game, but he still managed to make eight tackles that game. It was the only game of the season Davis wasn't the team's leading tackler. The surgery didn't keep him from playing in the next game against Miami.
In the bowl game against Eric Bieniemy and the Colorado Buffalos, Davis had 12 tackles.
He finished the season with 148 tackles. At a school much better known for its offensive identity, Davis had a superb season on the defensive side of the ball that could not be overlooked. He earned first team All-WAC recognition and Honorable Mention All-American honors. Perhaps the highest honor he received was to be named a Butkus Award finalist.
Davis led the BYU defense with 290 points. (A point system is used to measure overall achievement by defensive players. Tackles, interceptions, etc. are awarded points.) He had 97 more points than the next Cougar defender that season. It was the largest point margin between first and second in BYU history.
Editor's Note: All stats used come from the records available on BYUcougars.com and CougarStats.com. Detailed stats for the Miami game were not available on either site. Blue Cougar Football acknowledges that the individual game totals do not match the season total of 148 tackles. The reason for the discrepancy is unknown.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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