11-24-2006, 10:00 AM
Earning his keep
Davila's first start at Cincinnati is one to remember
T.J. Berka, Staff Writer
Article Launched:11/24/2006 12:23:32 AM PST
In the state of Ohio last Saturday, a quarterback had the best game of his collegiate career to lead his team past an undefeated opponent.
No, this isn't a story about Troy Smith and No. 1 Ohio State's defeat of No. 2 Michigan in Columbus.
As the hubbub about the Buckeyes' victory over the Wolverines was dying down, Nick Davila was holding court at Cincinnati.
The Damien and Chaffey College graduate made the most of his first start for the host Bearcats, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-15 passing while rushing for 23 yards and another score in Cincinnati's 30-11 upset of previously undefeated and seventh-ranked Rutgers.
Davila's big day came on Senior Night, as his parents, three younger sisters and brother (a fourth sister broke her leg playing soccer and was unable to make the trip) saw him excel in the biggest game of his college life.
"You couldn't have drawn it up better," Davila said. "Having my family in the stands to watch me in my first start was great, but to go out and beat a team like Rutgers made it that much better."
The reason why Davila was so happy and played so well was because he has kept a positive attitude despite sitting on the bench for most of his Bearcat career.
After a stellar two seasons at Chaffey from 2003-04 in which he passed for 5,774 yards and 46 touchdowns, Davila signed with Cincinnati expecting to be the starting quarterback last season.
It didn't work out that way though, as then-redshirt freshman Dustin Grutza got the gig. Instead of sulking, Davila waited patiently for the better part of two seasons for his chance.
"I figure everything happens for a reason," Davila said. "I have tried to hang loose and go with the flow and see what happens. When I get my opportunity, I'll do my best to make the most of it."
Davila certainly was able to do that. With the win, the Bearcats finally were able to get a big victory over a ranked team.
Cincinnati has had one of the more rugged schedules in the nation, as they have had to make road trips to Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Louisville and West Virginia this season.
The Bearcats had been close, leading Virginia Tech in the fourth quarter and going down to the last play with Louisville, but hadn't gotten that big W until Davila led them past the Scarlet Knights.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling," Davila said. "This team has worked so hard and been so close that we felt like we deserved to win that game. We deserved to have that big win."
The win got Cincinnati its bowl-eligible sixth win and with a win this Saturday at Connecticut all but securing a bowl bid for the Bearcats. Getting that bowl bid was exactly why he decided to make the journey to Cincy.
"It certainly wasn't the weather," Davila said jokingly.
"I miss the Southern California weather and I miss In-N-Out. I just felt that coach (Mark) Dantonio had this program going in the right direction and I wanted to be part of it."
Davila is glad to be part of it, even if the playing time wasn't quite what he thought it would be. Davila's playing time this week will be based on the health of Grutza, who was hurt in the West Virginia loss on Nov. 11.
Davila excelled in that loss as well, throwing for two touchdowns and 143 yards on 13 of 24 passing. But even if he doesn't play against the Huskies, Davila's experience at Cincinnati will be worth it.
"I've had a great deal of fun here," Davila said. "I'm getting a major in history and maybe I can be a teacher or coach someday. I'd love to work at Damien if at all possible."
After his big night versus Rutgers, Davila has been receiving a lot of love from his friends from Damien and Chaffey. While he appreciates that love, he is especially thankful that his family can share in his crowning moment as a Cincinnati football player.
The Davila family is flying back to California today after spending the entire week in Southwestern Ohio. During that time, Nick showed them around Cincinnati and brought his family to spend Thanksgiving Day with teammates.
"I couldn't ask for anything more," Davila said. "I get to be with my family and I get to spend Thanksgiving with some of the friends I have on the team. It's a great story."
http://www.dailybulletin.com/sports/ci_4714083
Davila's first start at Cincinnati is one to remember
T.J. Berka, Staff Writer
Article Launched:11/24/2006 12:23:32 AM PST
In the state of Ohio last Saturday, a quarterback had the best game of his collegiate career to lead his team past an undefeated opponent.
No, this isn't a story about Troy Smith and No. 1 Ohio State's defeat of No. 2 Michigan in Columbus.
As the hubbub about the Buckeyes' victory over the Wolverines was dying down, Nick Davila was holding court at Cincinnati.
The Damien and Chaffey College graduate made the most of his first start for the host Bearcats, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-15 passing while rushing for 23 yards and another score in Cincinnati's 30-11 upset of previously undefeated and seventh-ranked Rutgers.
Davila's big day came on Senior Night, as his parents, three younger sisters and brother (a fourth sister broke her leg playing soccer and was unable to make the trip) saw him excel in the biggest game of his college life.
"You couldn't have drawn it up better," Davila said. "Having my family in the stands to watch me in my first start was great, but to go out and beat a team like Rutgers made it that much better."
The reason why Davila was so happy and played so well was because he has kept a positive attitude despite sitting on the bench for most of his Bearcat career.
After a stellar two seasons at Chaffey from 2003-04 in which he passed for 5,774 yards and 46 touchdowns, Davila signed with Cincinnati expecting to be the starting quarterback last season.
It didn't work out that way though, as then-redshirt freshman Dustin Grutza got the gig. Instead of sulking, Davila waited patiently for the better part of two seasons for his chance.
"I figure everything happens for a reason," Davila said. "I have tried to hang loose and go with the flow and see what happens. When I get my opportunity, I'll do my best to make the most of it."
Davila certainly was able to do that. With the win, the Bearcats finally were able to get a big victory over a ranked team.
Cincinnati has had one of the more rugged schedules in the nation, as they have had to make road trips to Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Louisville and West Virginia this season.
The Bearcats had been close, leading Virginia Tech in the fourth quarter and going down to the last play with Louisville, but hadn't gotten that big W until Davila led them past the Scarlet Knights.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling," Davila said. "This team has worked so hard and been so close that we felt like we deserved to win that game. We deserved to have that big win."
The win got Cincinnati its bowl-eligible sixth win and with a win this Saturday at Connecticut all but securing a bowl bid for the Bearcats. Getting that bowl bid was exactly why he decided to make the journey to Cincy.
"It certainly wasn't the weather," Davila said jokingly.
"I miss the Southern California weather and I miss In-N-Out. I just felt that coach (Mark) Dantonio had this program going in the right direction and I wanted to be part of it."
Davila is glad to be part of it, even if the playing time wasn't quite what he thought it would be. Davila's playing time this week will be based on the health of Grutza, who was hurt in the West Virginia loss on Nov. 11.
Davila excelled in that loss as well, throwing for two touchdowns and 143 yards on 13 of 24 passing. But even if he doesn't play against the Huskies, Davila's experience at Cincinnati will be worth it.
"I've had a great deal of fun here," Davila said. "I'm getting a major in history and maybe I can be a teacher or coach someday. I'd love to work at Damien if at all possible."
After his big night versus Rutgers, Davila has been receiving a lot of love from his friends from Damien and Chaffey. While he appreciates that love, he is especially thankful that his family can share in his crowning moment as a Cincinnati football player.
The Davila family is flying back to California today after spending the entire week in Southwestern Ohio. During that time, Nick showed them around Cincinnati and brought his family to spend Thanksgiving Day with teammates.
"I couldn't ask for anything more," Davila said. "I get to be with my family and I get to spend Thanksgiving with some of the friends I have on the team. It's a great story."
http://www.dailybulletin.com/sports/ci_4714083