BUFFALO, N.Y. - Nate Davis isn't playing second fiddle to anyone right now.
In his second start after replacing Joey Lynch, the true freshman showed he was more than capable of running the Ball State University offense, by going 11-of-14 for 247 yards and throwing three touchdown passes in the Cardinals' 55-25 win.
The Cardinals ended up with 494 yards of total offense, the highest amount accumulated this season.
"I felt real comfortable," Davis said. "We came into the game with a plan. We practiced well all week and wanted to come out and just do our best."
Davis now leads the nation in passing efficiency with a 195.2 rating.
Davis' throwing ability stretched out the University of Buffalo's defense, allowing Ball State's running game to succeed. Ball State coach Brady Hoke said Buffalo played a two-deep zone so it wouldn't get beat deep.
"[Offensive coordinator] Stan [Parrish] kind of figured they'd do that because Nate can throw the ball downfield," Hoke said. "When you play two-deep, you give up a little bit [defensively] when you talk about eight-man fronts and the run game, so there was a little bit more there."
Making his second career start, Davis played like a veteran quarterback, stepping up in the pocket when there was pressure and making good decisions.
"I think he's very poised and very confident in what he can do," Hoke said.
Davis' emerging favorite target is tight end Darius Hill. Hill caught two of Davis' three touchdown passes.
The first one came after the ball hit off Michael Steinhaus' hands and deflected right to Hill in the back of the end zone to give Ball State a 24-3 lead in the second quarter.
The second one came when Davis hit a streaking Hill over the middle for a 29-yard toss on the first possession of the second half.
The last touchdown pass came early in the third quarter, with Davis finding Terry Moss behind the Buffalo secondary for a 41-yard score and a 52-17 lead.
He even got into the action on a gadget play. Joey Lynch entered the game and lined up at the left slot. Lynch then went in motion and took a pitch and ran to his right. He stopped, turned and threw to Davis. Davis caught the ball, but a Buffalo defender was right there. But Davis put a move on him, gaining 15 yards on the play and setting up a B.J. Hill three-yard score.
"He brings an awful lot because of his ability to see the field and get the ball down the field," Hoke said. "He beats the corner [on that play] because he's athletic enough and strong enough to where he can do that."
Davis said the offense was clicking on all cylinders.
"Everything was rolling for us. ... I thought today was a real good day for us," he said.
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