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Published Saturday, December 30, 2000

Huskers' Davison leaves with some regrets

SAN ANTONIO -- As Nebraska split end Matt Davison contemplated putting the wraps on his college football career, he couldn't help but think about what might have been.

Davison will be among 27 seniors playing for the Cornhuskers for the final time in tonight's Sylvania Alamo Bowl against Northwestern. Although pleased with many aspects of his career, Davison said he'll leave the program a little disappointed that he was a part of just one national championship team back in 1997.

"To tell you the truth, after that year, I thought hopefully I'd win another one or two by the time I was out of here," Davison said. "I guess when you're that young, you don't realize how important, how precious a national championship is."

Davison played a big part in Nebraska's national championship run as a freshman in 1997. He was on the receiving end of the famous "flea-kicker" play that helped the Huskers avoid a loss at Missouri. Nebraska went on to post a 13-0 record and share the national title with Michigan.

Nebraska suffered through an injury-plagued 9-4 season in 1998 and went 12-1 and finished ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the final polls last season. Things looked good for Davison and the Huskers early on this season as they were ranked No. 1 in the preseason and started the year 7-0. However, losses at Oklahoma and Kansas State dashed any hope of gaining another national championship.

Still, the self-professed skinny white kid from Tecumseh has done pretty well for himself as a Husker. Davison ranks second on Nebraska's all-time career charts in pass receptions (93) and receiving yards (1,456). The man he trails: Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, who had 143 receptions for 2,479 yards from 1970-72.

"Individually, I think I accomplished more than I ever thought I would when I came here," Davison said. "Looking back, there are plays that I wish I had back and there are games I wish I could play over again. But overall, I've fulfilled many of the aspirations I had coming out of high school, so it's been a good experience."

HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR?: With two of the nation's top scoring offenses going head to head, it seems likely that the Alamo Bowl combined scoring record of 71 points could be in jeopardy. Nebraska ranked sixth nationally in scoring offense (41.5 points per game) and Northwestern was ninth (38.6).

"If either team is not playing good defense, they're in trouble," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said. "Both teams have shown great ability to move the football and put points on the board. Both teams can put together the long drives that keep the other team's offense off the field and yet, both teams have big-play potential to where they can strike very, very quickly to put points on the board. It will be interesting to see how it all works on that end of it."

CLASS ACT: Even Nebraska fans will likely appreciate the old-school approach of Northwestern's Damien Anderson. By most accounts, Anderson is a class act on and off the field. In a day and age when end zone celebrations are the norm, Anderson simply hands the ball to the official after he crosses the goal line.

"I respect the game too much to do that stuff," said Anderson, who rushed for a school-record 1,914 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. "I don't want to disrespect myself or my school. I try to let my play speak for itself."

Anderson, a junior who is 214 yards short of breaking Darnell Autry's school rushing record of 3,793 yards, said he considering coming to Nebraska out of high school. However, the Wilmington, Ill., native eventually opted to stay closer to home and chose Northwestern.

QUICK HITTERS: Solich said that Nebraska All-America middle linebacker Carlos Polk won't be 100 percent healthy, but should be able to play. Polk suffered knee and ankle injuries Nov. 24 against Colorado. Š Adams Central graduate Rod Baker, Nebraska's backup at strongside linebacker, was presented with a Blackshirt for his final college game. It's a customary practice for Husker defensive backups that have made significant contributions to be presented with a Blackshirt for their final game. Š There were two significant depth chart changes on defense for Nebraska for the bowl game. Troy Watchorn is now listed on top of the depth chart at free safety as the co-No. 1 with Dion Booker. DeJuan Groce is now on top at right cornerback and is listed as a co-No. 1 with Erwin Swiney. Š Nebraska is listed as a 14 1/2-point favorite by Las Vegas oddsmakers, which doesn't exactly bode well for the Huskers in the Alamo Bowl. Favorites are just 4-3 in Alamo Bowl history, while double-digit favorites are 1-1. Nebraska is the biggest favorite since 1998 when Kansas State came in as a 14-point favorite over Purdue, which upset the Wildcats 37-34. Š Northwestern wide receiver Sam Simmons was expected to make it back from Chicago Friday to play in the Alamo Bowl today. Simmons left the team to be present for the birth of his child.

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