NATCHITOCHES – Through the first three games of the season, Northwestern State running back Zay Davis has shown the explosive, playmaking ability that makes him one of the Demons' biggest offensive weapons.
 
His 60-yard touchdown reception against East Texas A&M this past weekend was just the latest example.
 
While Davis may have sprinted the final 45-yards to the end zone, clocking his highest reading of over 21 miles per hour on his way, he doesn't view the play as an individual accomplishment.
 
Instead, he sees it as a perfect example of what can happen when all 11 players do exactly what they've been coached to do.
 
The reception was the longest by a Demon running back since Scooter Adams had an 84-yard scoring catch against Southeast Missouri in 2022. It also makes Davis the only player in the Southland Conference with both a rush and a reception of more than 50 yards this season. He had a 60-yard run against Louisiana Christian in the season opener.
 
Here's how it happened, according to Davis.
 
The Setup
East Texas A&M had just scored to take a 17-7 midway through the second quarter. After two straight incompletions, the Demons faced a potential three-and-out, needing 10 yards to keep the drive alive at the East Texas 40-yard line.
 
In need of a least the first down, Davis lined up in the backfield to the right of quarterback Abram Johnston in what appeared to be an almost certain passing situation.
 
The Read
With the objective a minimum of 10 yards, Davis scanned the defense, locked in on his assignment and executed the play design.
 
"At this point, I'm just like, I've got to get the first down. So, I'm looking at the right side, and the whole right side is free because you just have a corner and a safety right there. I didn't see pressure because I was looking at No. 6 the whole time. At first I don't move and see if he goes up field. I see he's going past me, so then it's just get out and make sure I catch the ball."
 
The Throw


With four defenders bearing down on him, Johnston had to place enough air under the ball to get it over the defender with enough force to hit a releasing Davis. The window was narrow.

"Abram has to get it over top of No. 6. He was maybe 6-foot-2, 6-foot-3 and Abram barely got it over him. A little more on the jump and he might would have tipped it over. So that was a great throw out from Abram."
 
The Blocks
Davis has the ball, but with still work to do. Two blocks in particular opened the running lane that turned a sure first-down into a touchdown. And another behind the play allowed things to take off from the line of scrimmage.
 
"First, on the left side, Logan Brady. He's locked on to his guy. Everyone else is getting out, and he's locked on that edge to make sure no one comes, gets the quarterback, and he just pile drives him in the background.

 "Then you got Christian Menard on the right, getting out, getting the block, taking them to the sideline.


 
"Then the most important block, the touchdown block, Brendan Webb back there, that was a touchdown saving block, because if he doesn't get that block, he has that angle on me. Because he's a safety, the last line of defense.


 
"Once Christian got that block and B-Webb got the block in the middle, there was nothing there in front of me. As soon as I passed Christian, I was like, I can't get caught. I got to go. I saw one guy in my peripheral and said that's the only guy I got to beat. But once I got to like the 20-yard line I knew I as good.
 
"After that I was able to outrun everybody, but it was a full team effort. The announcer said that it was all me, but, no, it was not all me."
 
The Celebration
The only hiccup in the entire sequence came after the play was over and Davis was celebrating in the back of the end zone.


 
"This wasn't even our touchdown celebration. Me and Caleb (Billiot) have a whole handshake that I just went left on, and I just ended up doing that. We have a whole handshake that I just didn't do. And I don't know why I did this, but next time, me and Caleb will do the handshake."
 

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Davis and Billiot will get another shot at an end zone handshake when the Demons travel to Weber State on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT.