| Tony Davis |
|
|
Tony Davis put a clamp on the starting left cornerback position prior to the 2006 season and had a highly productive campaign in his first year as a starter. Having had the opportunity to observe and learn from three-time All-Big Ten selection Alan Zemaitis in 2005, Davis demonstrated steady improvement as the season progressed. He punctuated his sophomore season against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl, alertly scooping up a fumble and racing 88 yards down the sideline for the eventual game-winning score early in the fourth quarter for his second touchdown of the season. He also returned a fumble for a big score in the comeback win over Illinois. A starter in every game, he was second in the Big Ten with 13 pass breakups and is a potential post-season honors candidate. Davis is a gifted athlete who likely will man the free safety spot this season. He was shifted there prior to spring practice and the transition has been smooth. He has very good skills, speed and instincts and again will be a player of high impact for the defense. An all-state honoree at Howland HS, Davis is another in the long line of outstanding prep student-athletes from Northeast Ohio that have matriculated to Penn State to play for Joe Paterno.
2006 Junior Season
A starter in every game at cornerback, Davis led the team and was second in the Big Ten with 13 pass breakups. He was seventh on the squad with 42 tackles (29 solo), including a half-sack. However, his season will most be remembered for his electrifying fumble recovery and return of 88 yards for the eventual game-winning touchdown in the 20-10 Outback Bowl victory over Tennessee. The fumble return, his second for a score during the season, marked the first defensive touchdown for Penn State in a bowl game since Derek Fox returned an interception for a TD against Texas A&M in the 1999 Alamo Bowl. In addition to his game-changing fumble return against the Vols, Davis made a career-best seven tackles (five solo). Davis was instrumental in helping the Penn State defense finish the season ranked in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th) and pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th) and sacks (40, sixth tie). Davis posted then season-highs with five tackles each against Akron and Minnesota, with four solo stops against the Gophers. At Ohio State, he helped limit the No. 1 Buckeyes to just 115 yards passing, nearly 115 yards below their season average. With the Lions holding a 10-9 lead in the third quarter against Illinois, Davis picked up a fumble, forced by Paul Posluszny, and returned it six yards for his first collegiate touchdown to continue the Lions' momentum in the 26-12 win. His fumble return was the defense's first touchdown of the season and he added four solo hits. Davis and the secondary held Purdue's Big Ten-leading passing attack 125 yards shy of its season average of 309.6 ypg that was then No. 4 in the nation. Penn State became the first team to shut out the Boilermakers during Coach Joe Tiller's tenure. In the Lions' second shutout of the year, against Temple, Davis had two stops and broke up one pass. He helped the secondary limit Temple to just 58 yards through the air, the lowest total by an opponent since Notre Dame's 47 yards in 1989. Against Michigan State, Davis broke up a season-high three passes and made one solo tackle. He was on the field for 789 snaps, topped by 90 against Akron and 86 against Illinois.
2005 Sophomore Season
Davis saw action in nine games, playing as the top reserve to All-America cornerback Alan Zemaitis. He recorded four solo tackles and had an interception in the win over Minnesota. Davis made a pair of tackles at Illinois and also recorded solo tackles against Cincinnati and Central Michigan. He was on the field for 99 snaps, logging his most extensive playing time at Illinois.
2004 Freshman
Redshirt season. Davis made two solo tackles in the 2005 Blue-White game.
High School
Davis capped off an outstanding career at Howland HS with first-team all-state accolades. He was the Ohio Division III Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year for Coach Richard Angle and a two-time All-Metro Athletic Conference pick. A two-way starter as a senior, Davis had four interceptions, giving him eight in his career. He rushed for 1,768 yards with 22 touchdowns and gained 2,053 all-purpose yards.
Personal
Full name is Antonio West Davis. He is enrolled in the recreation, park and tourism management program. Born September 9, 1986.
