Senior linebacker Gary Davis is having an outstanding season with the UNM football team. He leads the Mountain West Conference in sacks with six and tackles for losses with 12.
He also is third in total tackles with 56, just two behind the conference leader.
Davis had the best game of his career against the University of Wyoming Oct. 6.
He recorded 13 tackles, four for losses, and three sacks.
Davis, a Greenwood, Miss. native, transferred last season from Mississippi Delta Community College, where he was an all-state performer.
He talked with the Daily Lobo about himself and the UNM football team.
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Daily Lobo: Who is the football player you pattern your game after?
Gary Davis: (Hall of Fame linebacker) Lawrence Taylor because he always wanted to get to the quarterback and that is something I take pride in, getting to the quarterback.
DL: Who is the person you look up to the most?
GD: My mom because she has helped me through a lot of difficult situations. She has always been there for me.
DL: What is the hardest hit you have ever laid on somebody?
GD: I probably would say against Wyoming. I ran a blitz and the running back was just getting the ball.
I hit him as soon as he got the ball; it was a pretty good hit. It may not have been my best, but it was a pretty good one.
DL: What is the biggest difference between Division I football and junior college football?
GD: Division I football is a lot faster.
As far as the hitting part, it is about the same, but the speed of the game is a lot faster.
DL: Where is the loudest place you have ever played a game?
GD: It would have to be BYU last year in the last game of the season, it was pretty loud there. And our first game out here to open the season (Sept. 1 vs. UTEP).
DL: Why are you playing so well right now?
GD: Probably because I set goals for myself and it motivates me to get it done. I said that I would lead the conference in tackles and sacks and I'm on the road to doing that now.
DL: What do you like and dislike about Albuquerque?
GD: I don't like that it is so dry.
When we play your throat gets all dry and starts to hurt. But everything else is pretty good.
DL: Why did you choose UNM?
GD: Because I liked the defense. I liked the way the defense was set up, blitzing and moving around a lot. And it was the farthest place from Mississippi and I just wanted to get away.
DL: What is the difference between this year's defense (ranked 50th in the nation) and last year's defense (ranked 17th)?
GD: Athletic ability is about the same, but I think we are lacking something attitude wise. And we are not playing the whole game, we play like three and a half quarters and in the fourth quarter we let down. It's something missing there.
DL: What is your secret to getting to the quarterback?
GD: The key is making the offensive linemen miss because if you let them get close to you they are going to grab you. I try not to let them get their hands on me.
DL: What has been your most exciting moment as a Lobo?
GD: It would be last year when we played New Mexico State.
I caught the interception that sealed the game. That was the best time. (UNM beat NMSU 16-13)
DL: What are your hobbies outside of football?
GD: When I was back in Mississippi I liked to fish and hunt. I was the outdoor kind of guy, I liked to do the outdoor kind of things.
But I have been camping here only once.
I don't really have much time to do anything other than football and school.
DL: Which two people would you most like to have dinner with?
GD: Ray Lewis and Michael Jordan.
