Anthony Davis Interview

Recently I had an opportunity to speak with former Wisconsin Running Back Anthony Davis who played for the Badgers from 2001 to 2004. Davis was a very explosive running back from his first carry in Cardinal and White, to his last game as a Badger. Throughout his career Davis compiled 4,874 all-purpose yards which is second in program history to Ron Dayne (1996-1999). Throughout Davis's career he ran the ball 908 times for 4,676 yards (5.1 yds/carry) and 42 touchdowns. Here is what Anthony had to say about his time in Madison, and his life after graduation.

Sportsman87: What was it like to play at Camp Randall Stadium?

Anthony Davis: "Eighty plus thousand rocking the Stadium, there's no other football atmosphere like it."

Sportsman87: What was it like to play for Wisconsin, a Division 1 program?

Anthony Davis: "It was definitely exciting just playing big time football, but any time you take a place like Wisconsin where football is so important, its such a big deal. The fan's are so into it that it just adds to the game."

Sportsman87: You had a 4.0 with two majors going into your Senior year what was that like?

Anthony Davis: "Yeah I did you know I took school pretty seriously when I was here. Its a free education, so by all means I took advantage of that."

Sportsman87: What did it feel like to play in front of 80,000 plus people?

Anthony Davis: "You know what, you notice it when you run on the field, and once the ball is kicked you really don't notice it. The crowd noise kind of gets blocked out and your just so focused, and in the zone you really just hear the game. Until someone breaks a big run and you can feel the roar, you really don't notice it. The games can be so intense and so physical that you really have no choice but to focus on the game. Thinking about the crowd could mean a mistake, or getting your head knocked off."

Sportsman87: What did it feel like to playing on the road in the Big 10 versus non conference road games?

Anthony Davis: "Big 10 games were unique in the sense that on any given day, anyone could win the game. Whoever came to play was going to win the game. It seems like there are a lot more rivalries, and the games are a little more personal when it's non conference. The fan's are more on top of you, and know a little more about you. It's a totally different dynamic playing in the Big 10 versus non conference."

Sportsman87: Did you have a favorite place you played on the road when you we're at Wisconsin?

Anthony Davis: "I didn't have a favorite place but I always liked to play at Ohio State mainly because I knew it would probably be an ABC game. Penn State was awesome, just the facilities there were awesome."

Sportsman87: When playing against the Gophers did you guys have a different mentality because it is such a big rivalry game?

Anthony Davis: "I think it was a lot more personal, it was like a back yard fight. It wasn't like a football game. We knew at the end of the game whoever got the axe would pretty much rub it in the other teams face. When we used to go up there, and we would win we would pretend like we were chopping down their goalposts. We would storm their bench and grab the axe with them standing right there and just take it. They did the same exact thing when they took it from us."

Sportsman87: What was your favorite memory when you were at Wisconsin?

Anthony Davis: "I had ton's of memorable games that I played in. Going back to 2002 we were in a situation where we needed to win one game to go to a bowl game. The coaches pretty much sat me down, and said we hope you got a lot of rest this week because we are going to ride you to a victory. All week the coaches teased me about it, and called me a horse. Come Saturday they gave me the ball 45 times. Probably the best game of my life 300 yards, 5 touchdowns, we got the axe, and went on to win the Alamo Bowl."

Sportsman87: What did it feel like to be drafted in the NFL?

Anthony Davis: "It was definitely an exciting feeling. It's something you cherish, and something no one can ever take away from you. It's a great feeling to know someone thought that highly of you, and picked you up."

Sportsman87: What have you been up to since football?

Anthony Davis: "I was living in North Carolina for a while when I was playing in Canada. I just recently moved back to Madison last August. I have been in Madison for about a year working on my Masters. I have been working in the athletic department helping out with recruiting for the football team. Also I have been working with the Freshman football players, along with teaching a class on campus."

Sportsman87: Do you have any future goals for coaching football?

Anthony Davis: "I am looking to really get into things more on the administrative side, but I wouldn't rule coaching out. Ultimately I know I want to be an administrator."

A great thanks goes out to Anthony for his time and knowledge. Stay posted for week 9 football predictions.