For Micah Davey, it was hard to watch.

As Houston Christian ran for a school-record 414 yards in McNeese State’s last game, Davey desperately wanted to get in and help.

“It was below our standard for the whole defense,” said Davey. “They hit us in the mouth. That was our wake-up call.”

Davey will return to the Cowboy defense Saturday when they travel to San Antonio to take on the high-flying Incarnate Word Cardinals, ranked 13th and 15th in the FCS polls. He is the biggest piece returning to a defense that started the season strong before being hurt by the injury bug.

“It was tough to have to just watch,” said Davey. “I wanted to be back. Every day it took the entire building to hold me back.”

After missing the last four games with a rib injury, the All-American linebacker will finally get his chance back on the field.

“I can’t wait,” Davey said.

His return could not come at a better time.

Facing one of the best offenses in FCS football, McNeese will need all hands on deck and none are more important than Davey’s, who led the team in tackles with 39 before being injured in Week 3 at Texas A&M.

“He has been chomping at the bit to come back,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “And we need him.” 

“He has been wanting to get back for a couple of weeks. We definitely need him.”

The numbers show just how badly the Cowboys need Davey.

Despite playing just a few snaps over nine quarters this season, the junior is still third on the team in tackles with 39. He has averaged just over 15 a game the last two years and cleans up a lot of plays on the second level.

Last season he led all of FCS in tackles per game with 15.3, setting a McNeese record. His 153 tackles were sixth-most in program history as he finished seventh in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top defender.

Davey recorded 10 or more tackles in 13 straight games before the injury against the Aggies. Even then he had eight in the early going before being forced to exit.

He is still tied for the team lead in sacks this year with two.

“He is a special player,” said Goff. “We have missed having him out there.”

And Davey has missed being with his teammates. 

“I can’t wait to get back on the field,” Davey said. “I feel great.”

During his time on the sideline, Davey still played his part as a leader.

“For any player it is tough,” he said. “I had to embrace a new role, as player-coach. I had to pass on any information I could to the others.”

Davey also came to realize that things could be worse.

“I had to learn that because everything isn’t as back as they seem,” Davey said. “It was a blessing in disguise. I got a chance to get healthy.”

With still five Southland Conference games ahead of the 4-3 Cowboys, who are 1-1 in the league, Davey and his teammates know all their goals are still out there for them.

“Everything is in front of us,” Davey said. “Crazy things happen in college football every day. Every game is an opportunity, let’s go out there and shock the world.”

With Davey back the Cowboys believe they have a chance to do just that Saturday afternoon in San Antonio.