Touchdown Titus: Junior wide receiver leading an inconsistent offense
Receiver Titus Davis has been one of the more reliable pieces of a team that has been inconsistent in many areas this season.
He has accounted for half of the team’s touchdowns (3), which includes a career-long 97-yard reception to tie the game against New Hampshire on Sept. 7.
“He’s a tremendous player,” said head coach Dan Enos. “He’s got a great mentality because he’s a tremendously hard worker. He understands the offense very well. He understands how to get separation.”
Davis realizes the responsibility he holds.
“I've got to practice at a high level and just lead by example for my team,” Davis said. “Just do everything I can to be successful, and to help my team be successful.”
His success has come despite Central Michigan shuffling through three quarterbacks in three games. He is averaging 109.3 receiving yards per game, which is second-best in the Mid-American Conference.
“We knew coming into this season that we were going to have to go through this type of situation,” Davis said. “So we really worked on chemistry with each quarterback and just throughout the offseason.”
But there have been potential big plays for him that have resulted in no yards.
Quarterback Cody Kater missed him on a rollout in the first drive of the season when he was wide open.
There was one occasion where Davis was open in the UNLV game and the ball was thrown over his head. Enos said it was the fault of both players, as Davis could have taken a better angle on the ball and quarterback Cooper Rush could have thrown a better pass as he was being rushed.
Davis was primed to have a good season, though, with whoever was going to throw him the ball. He was on the Biletnikoff Preseason Award watch list and was also named preaseason All-MAC first team by Phil Steele. Yet he still found things to improve on in the offseason.
Davis spent time on the mental part of the game, learning opposing teams' defenses. He also spent some time improving on how to go up and get a ball – a skill he has not had to use as much as some because he has broken away from his defender.
Davis said defenders are not treating him any differently, despite the receiving yards he has compiled.
However, Enos and his coaching staff are aware of what he can bring to the game and try to give him around 10 to 15 touches a game.
“Sometimes for a wideout it’s difficult to dictate that based on coverage and things,” Enos said. “But we try to move him around, too. We don’t try to line him up at the same spot.”
