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The University of Utah Athletics
Elijah Davis (9) recorded his first collegiate interception during Utah's season-opening win.
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Q&A with Utah Football's Elijah Davis
9/6/2024 11:00 AM | Football
Plus…crunching some numbers before Utah faces Baylor
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Football team put together its first shutout victory since 2019 in its Week 1 win over Southern Utah. It came thanks in part to a balanced effort from the Utes defense, which held SUU to 150 total yards and nine first downs.
Among the defensive highlights in the game was the first collegiate interception for cornerback Elijah Davis. After contributing mostly on special teams in 2023, Davis was called upon as cornerback in the season opener, adding one tackle in addition to his pick.
UtahUtes.com visited with Davis this week to talk about his season debut, journey to Utah and his nickname—"Scooby"—that has become popular with teammates, coaches and fans alike.
How did your nickname come to be?
"I got the nickname Scooby from my grandmother when I was younger. I've been getting called it my whole life. I don't know how I got it; think she just called me 'Scooby' one day and it just stuck. I actually like it better than Elijah."
How'd it feel to have your first interception last Thursday?
"It felt great. I've just been coming to practice every day and putting work in. To finally get the outcome that I've been looking for, it felt great.
"Everybody was really excited knowing what I've been through trying to get on the field. Everybody was really happy. We're going to keep it rolling."
Where would you like to grow going from Game 1 to Game 2?
"Just being more comfortable on the field. Just knowing that it's not practice, it's a real game. Everybody's eyes are on you."
Talk a little about your journey to Utah and choosing the Utes.
"Growing up, it was kind of hard. But I got on the right track. I wouldn't say it was easy. I chose Utah because of Coach Shah and Coach Scalley and seeing the work they've done. You can see with the players they've put into (the NFL), and the players they've developed. That was a big part of my decision to come to Utah."
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Saturday's tailgate...
466 – career completions for quarterback Cameron Rising, ranking seventh in Utah history. Larry Egger currently holds the No. 6 spot, with three more completions (469 total in the 1985-86 seasons).
60 – receiving yards needed for tight end Brant Kuithe to tie wide receiver and former teammate Britain Covey for sixth all-time in the Utah career record book. Kuithe enters the weekend with 1,951 career receiving yards—the most by an active tight end in FBS—while Covey had 2,011 as a Ute.
37 – career starts for defensive tackle Junior Tafuna--spanning each of his games played since Sept. 25, 2021.
15 – career games that Rising has passed for 200-plus yards. It ranks ninth in program history; one more would tie Rising with Frank Dolce (1991-92) for eighth with 16 career 200-yard passing games.
13 – consecutive home wins for Utah during the months of August and September. It dates back to Sept. 7, 2019.
12 – rushing yards needed by Rising to reach 1,000 for his career. He would become just the fourth Utah quarterback to hit the milestone, following Travis Wilson (1,225 from 2012-15), Tyler Huntley (1,146 from 2016-19) and Alex Smith (1,083 in 2004-05).
3 – consecutive seasons that the Utes have faced a Power Conference opponent during regular season non-conference play (remember, the Baylor game is a non-conference matchup).
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
Among the defensive highlights in the game was the first collegiate interception for cornerback Elijah Davis. After contributing mostly on special teams in 2023, Davis was called upon as cornerback in the season opener, adding one tackle in addition to his pick.
UtahUtes.com visited with Davis this week to talk about his season debut, journey to Utah and his nickname—"Scooby"—that has become popular with teammates, coaches and fans alike.
How did your nickname come to be?
"I got the nickname Scooby from my grandmother when I was younger. I've been getting called it my whole life. I don't know how I got it; think she just called me 'Scooby' one day and it just stuck. I actually like it better than Elijah."
How'd it feel to have your first interception last Thursday?
"It felt great. I've just been coming to practice every day and putting work in. To finally get the outcome that I've been looking for, it felt great.
"Everybody was really excited knowing what I've been through trying to get on the field. Everybody was really happy. We're going to keep it rolling."
Where would you like to grow going from Game 1 to Game 2?
"Just being more comfortable on the field. Just knowing that it's not practice, it's a real game. Everybody's eyes are on you."
Talk a little about your journey to Utah and choosing the Utes.
"Growing up, it was kind of hard. But I got on the right track. I wouldn't say it was easy. I chose Utah because of Coach Shah and Coach Scalley and seeing the work they've done. You can see with the players they've put into (the NFL), and the players they've developed. That was a big part of my decision to come to Utah."
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 30, 2024
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Saturday's tailgate...
466 – career completions for quarterback Cameron Rising, ranking seventh in Utah history. Larry Egger currently holds the No. 6 spot, with three more completions (469 total in the 1985-86 seasons).
60 – receiving yards needed for tight end Brant Kuithe to tie wide receiver and former teammate Britain Covey for sixth all-time in the Utah career record book. Kuithe enters the weekend with 1,951 career receiving yards—the most by an active tight end in FBS—while Covey had 2,011 as a Ute.
37 – career starts for defensive tackle Junior Tafuna--spanning each of his games played since Sept. 25, 2021.
15 – career games that Rising has passed for 200-plus yards. It ranks ninth in program history; one more would tie Rising with Frank Dolce (1991-92) for eighth with 16 career 200-yard passing games.
13 – consecutive home wins for Utah during the months of August and September. It dates back to Sept. 7, 2019.
12 – rushing yards needed by Rising to reach 1,000 for his career. He would become just the fourth Utah quarterback to hit the milestone, following Travis Wilson (1,225 from 2012-15), Tyler Huntley (1,146 from 2016-19) and Alex Smith (1,083 in 2004-05).
3 – consecutive seasons that the Utes have faced a Power Conference opponent during regular season non-conference play (remember, the Baylor game is a non-conference matchup).
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
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