Frustrating Senior Season for WR Geremy Davis

@MattSchonvisky

It was not supposed to be like this. Senior WR Geremy Davis entered 2014 with much anticipation, looking to not only take the Huskies to new heights under first year head coach Bob Diaco, but improve his draft stock in the process.

With WR Shakim Phillips transferring to the hated school up north and only WR Deshon Foxx coming back as a key contributor from a year ago, Davis was expected to be showcased in the passing game, early and often.

Heading into 2014, Davis had four career 100-yard receiving games. This season? Just one, coming in the Huskies first win of the year against Stony Brook.

He is off the pace of his junior year numbers, where he had 71 catches for 1,085 yards and three touchdowns.

Injuries have hampered Davis’ production in 2014, as has play calling. Early on in Bob Diaco’s first season as head coach, Davis was seen consistently going off the field on key third downs in one and two possession, second half contests. The result? Just 437 yards, on 36 receptions, for three touchdowns.

“It’s frustrating,” Davis said on Tuesday regarding his lack of production. “Whatever they ask me to do, blocking, be a decoy in a route or the actual play, I’m going to do it. It is frustrating because I’m a competitor, but I’m going to do what the coaches ask me to do.” 

Despite the frustration, the Lawrenceville, GA native knows that the future is bright here in Storrs, even though the first year record under Diaco is 2-8, thus far.

“Just have faith,” he said. “Diaco is a guy who has abundant faith. I feel like he believes in what he’s doing and it’s going to work. Obviously it takes time, but this guy’s a workhorse and he’s competitive. Sometimes you don’t see the things from the outside looking in, but he’s working his butt off to get this thing in the right direction.”

Davis missed the two weeks prior to Saturday’s game against Cincinnati, after going out early in the Huskies close loss at East Carolina. Getting back on the field was something Davis cherished. 

“Oh heck yea and by the grace of God, I’m so happy.” he exclaimed on Tuesday. “It’s been a tough two weeks, but that’s when you lean on your faith the most. I was happy I was here to help from a mental standpoint with the younger receivers and offense as a whole, in terms of coverage’s and how the defensive backs play. I was just so happy that I was able to play against Cincinnati with these guys, despite the score, it was still a good time.” 

Davis just had two catches for one yard on Saturday, the first time QB Tim Boyle started this season. Davis had some high praise for the sophomore quarterback, who starred at Xavier.

“Unbelievable measurable’s, tall kid, very lanky,” Davis said. “He’s a smart guy. I think he prepared every week as if he was going to be a starter, even though he wasn’t, he knew he could get in the game at any time. Even with the few reps he had at the beginning of the season, I think he took full advantage of those reps. Sometimes it may not look like it, but I know that he did. Now that he’s starting, you see him more focused, how he carries himself, how he was in the huddle and how he conducted the clock and just playing the position.”

Tomorrow is the final road trip of his collegiate career and what better place for him, than Memphis, TN?

“I thank God he sent me here to UConn,” Davis insisted when asked about his college career winding down. “Obviously there’s been some ups and downs, coaches, players in and out, but I couldn’t ask for anything else. I’m blessed to be here. It’s my final road game. It’s funny, I was born in Memphis, so I have tons of family coming in. This is one of the best road games for me personally.”

Davis and the Huskies will look to spoil Memphis’ conference championship aspirations at 4PM, on ESPNews.

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