Q&A with Sammy Davis

Senior defensive back Sammy Davis talked with AggieAthletics.com about playing against passing teams, the team's attitude entering this week, and how important religion is in his life.

How did it feel to come out and shut down a high-powered passing attack like Louisiana Tech?

"It felt good. We just have to give glory to God for what we did, because it was a special thing to be able to play a team like that that passes the ball a lot and perform the way we did. It was a real blessing."

As a defensive back, do you enjoy a playing against those passing-type teams a lot more, and do you kind of lick your chops before the game?

"Oh yeah. As a defensive back you look forward to playing a lot of passing teams because it gives you more opportunity to make bigger plays. It's always fun to play passing teams like Louisiana Tech or Texas Tech."

Sammy Davis was named a Nagurski Award and Thorpe Award candidate entering his senior campaign.

Can you describe the rush you get when you see the ball coming at you, you know you're going to intercept it, and when you do, and the crowd erupts?

"It's a feeling you really can't explain. You see the ball coming, and you know that will probably be your last opportunity to get an interception for the rest of the game. Once you see it coming, you really focus on it, just getting the ball caught and running with it."

Can you get a feel for the team's mindset going into the Texas Tech game or is it too early to tell?

"It's probably too early. We all know that we want to go in and win, because of what happened last year. We're pretty focused, but we really haven't sat and broke down film of them yet. Once we do that, we're going to get focused and know it's time to play."

Does this game hold any more significance for you or do you take it one game at a time?

"Personally I take it one game at a time. But, knowing it's Texas Tech, and knowing how it was last year, the respect they didn't give us by tearing down the goalposts and all that, it makes it a little bit more heated."

Are you looking forward to the atmosphere on Saturday?

"Oh yeah. I'm looking forward to it. It surprised me that it was going to be such a big game. I wasn't expecting it to be that big of a crowd, but when they told me it was probably going to be the biggest crowd ever, that is really exciting."

The defense seems to come into a game with such an attitude and a high level of confidence. Can you gain an advantage over an opponent by carrying that attitude before you even step onto the field?

"Knowing they have to come in and play the wrecking crew, that's pretty intimidating, so that's an advantage for us. I think we're starting to realize the talent we have on defense. That gives us a lot of confidence against a team and lets us know we can go in and dominate any team we play."

Talk about your religion and how important that is to you.

"It's real important to me. I finally started to realize it's really not about me or it's really not about football. Life's really not about you, it's about Christ. If it wasn't for Him, all this would be taken from me-football and my life, it could be taken from me if it wasn't for Him. I just know that's the first priority in my life."

Do you find that makes you appreciate what you have even more?

"It helps me to appreciate things a lot more, because it can easily be taken away."