FOX analyst Charles Davis talks Kansas State-OU, 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Gus Johnson
Published: 9/19/2012 10:25 PM
Last Modified: 9/19/2012 10:25 PM
Charles Davis is the lead analyst for FOX Sports’ broadcast of the Kansas State-Oklahoma game on Saturday night. Davis will join Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Julie Alexandria (sideline) on the call. Kickoff is 6:50 p.m. in Norman.
Davis, a former University of Tennessee defensive back (1983-86), gave his thoughts on Saturday’s game, calling the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and working with Johnson:
What are your thoughts on Saturday’s game?
"The easy thing is to go Tim Tebow and say how excited I am about it. … I’m looking forward to it. … I know we saw the score last year, 58-17, but we also know the reality that it was 23-17 at the half. And these teams play tight football games.
"You think about Oklahoma in the air first, even though their running game is really coming along with the addition of Damien Williams, Dominique Whaley and Brennan Clay. That part is fine. I think it boils down to Collin Klein at quarterback for Kansas State. You know Oklahoma is going to throw everything they can to shut down the run game and make him prove it by air. Can he complete passes when everyone in the stadium knows he’s going to throw the ball instead of in favorable down and distances? I’m looking forward to it. No matter what, these two teams are going to give us a good game.”
What does Kansas State have to do to win?
"They have to be Kansas State. That is very low on errors, assignment-sound, take care of their business and not permit those monster, explosive plays that Oklahoma gets on everyone. Keep that shut down and make Oklahoma earn every inch of the way. If Oklahoma gashes you and gets those pass plays and go super fast on offense and gets the crowd into it, they can overwhelm you that way ... For them, it’s be Kansas State and not permit anything big to happen, especially on the defensive end, and they are right in this game."
What does Oklahoma have to do to win?
"While it’s a young season and I hate the sample size, Kansas State gets after the quarterback pretty well. Five sacks against Miami is indicative of what they can do ... Oklahoma has to keep Landry Jones clean to get timing with receivers down. If he gets the time, he has the skill guys out there and they have the talent to go out and make plays. Let’s not overlook the run game for Oklahoma. They are so multiple on offense and can do so many different things. ... I’d like to see Trey Millard with a lot of touches. I think he’s a big play waiting to happen every time he gets the ball in his hands."
Where does the 2007 Fiesta Bowl rank in terms of games you have called?
“It’s hard to beat that one, being with FOX and our introduction to the national stage in college football and the BCS. You can’t beat the story of one of the traditional powers of college football history and here comes Boise State, an upstart ... What got overlooked in all of that was how Oklahoma got there in the first place. There was the quarterback issue where (Rhett Bomar) got suspended and you have to bring back Paul Thompson from wide receiver ... (Thompson) made some winning plays down the stretch ... Adrian Peterson was hurt for part of the season ... OU really gritted it out and had a sensational season that they don’t get enough credit for because at Oklahoma you’re expected to win. People forget what it took to get where they did that year.”
What’s it like working with Gus Johnson?
“It’s terrific ... Gus (calls big plays) in such a way and such a level that you are looking forward to hearing it. It’s appointment viewing and listening with Gus Johnson. If it’s a big moment, he’s going to nail it and nail it in a way that’s going to be memorable. .. But as great as he is at that, what gets overlooked is his intelligence. He’s an extremely smart man and I learn something from him every time I work with him ... (and) his understanding of the game overall allows him to know when it’s a big moment and not a big moment.”
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
