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LOGAN — Imagine playing the ninth-ranked team in the country for the season-opener in your final year of eligibility. Then imagine having to watch the majority of the game from inside the tunnel, dressed in street clothes.
That is exactly what Utah State senior defensive back Jalen Davis had to do.
After recording his fifth career sack and playing stellar defense to help USU take a 10-0 advantage in the first half, a targeting penalty was called that affected the rest of the game.
Davis was penalized on the third play of the second quarter against Wisconsin on Sept. 1 while trying to break up a pass attempt and missed the rest of the game.
Davis had to watch as his teammates and "brothers on the field" gave up 59 unanswered points in the 59-10 loss.
"I was really anxious to get back on the field," Davis said. "I just wanted to be out there with my brothers and play. That kind of broke my heart that they kicked me out of the game because I wanted to be with my family."
In the USU home-opener on Thursday night, Davis had a big chip on his shoulder, and it showed.
The senior from La Mesa, California, tied his career-high for interceptions in a game with two. The second pick of the night was returned 25 yards for a touchdown that gave USU a 31-6 lead in the second quarter.
It was the second career touchdown for Davis. Both of the touchdowns have come against Idaho State. He has four interceptions against the Bengals.
"I knew I just need to come back and get my team up so we could go out here and get a wn," Davis said.
Since coming to Utah State in 2014, Davis has started in 36 games and was the first true freshman in USU history to start a season-opener at cornerback. Davis has eight interceptions in his career, with the lone touchdown coming on Thursday night.
"It's important for your best players to play good," USU head coach Matt Wells said. "That's something we try to preach in terms of leadership. The first way to lead is by production. You've gotta play well to be able to lead, and I think your best players have to play great every night."
Wells believed that Davis showed that leadership and did exactly what needed to be done to prepare himself to get back on the field Thursday night.
"He (Jalen) was ready to play. He was excited to play. I thought he handled himself well last week in an unfortunate situation for him, but he had a good week of practice. He's a good player. He's in the right place at the right time and he was ready to play. He played well."
The Aggies are going to need that senior leadership and great play night in and night out from Davis if they expect to compete in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.
USU travels to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to take on Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. MDT and will be on the ACC Network.
Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
