[media-credit name=’Derek Montgomery’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Senior tailback Anthony Davis will be sidelined for at least three games due to an eye injury he suffered in the second quarter of the Badgers’ 34-6 victory over Central Florida Saturday.

The impact from a hard hit after a 21-yard run caused Davis’ helmet to scrape against his eye, causing swelling and blurred vision. Davis visited university ophthalmologists Tuesday and Wednesday before head coach Barry Alvarez made the announcement that his star tailback will miss the Badgers upcoming games against UNLV, Arizona and Penn State.

The injury deals a major blow to the Wisconsin football program, which will enter Saturday’s game against UNLV without its premier offensive threat. Davis, who has compiled 3,781 yards in his UW career, moved past Billy Marek Saturday to become the second-leading rusher in UW history behind Ron Dayne.

Despite missing five games to injury last season, Davis entered the 2004 campaign with the third-highest rushing total in the nation over the past three seasons (3,703). The senior standout was named to the preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker award, which honors the nation’s top running back, and the Walter Camp award, which goes to the nation’s top player.

“He’s obviously a great football player,” offensive coordinator Brian White said. “You don’t replace a guy like him. It hurts the team a bunch, but in college football other guys need to step up. You can’t cancel the games. We’re going to play on Saturday.”

With junior Dwayne Smith also sidelined after he was diagnosed with a career-ending heart condition during preseason camp, the Badgers are without their top two tailbacks after just one week of play.

“We have talented players,” White said. “This is their opportunity to play.”

Sophomore Booker Stanley, who gained 47 yards on 12 carries (3.9 yards per carry) against Central Florida, will replace Davis as the starting running back when the Badgers take on UNLV Saturday.

“I couldn’t be more [ready],” Stanley said. “So far this week, I’m having really solid practices. I’m helping out the younger guys and I couldn’t be more ready. I’m ready to go this Saturday help the team win.”

Stanley has been in this situation before. With Davis sidelined for much of last season, Stanley compiled 523 yards and five touchdowns, earning Wisconsin’s team rookie-of-the-year honor. The Milwaukee native saw action in 12 of 13 games and rushed for more than 100 yards three times in 2003.

“He’s certainly played very well in the opportunities that he’s had to play as the leading-role guy, and I expect him to be that back on Saturday.” White said.

In the Badgers’ 17-10 win over No. 3 Ohio State, Stanley gained a career-high 125 yards on 31 carries. The performance established Stanley as a legitimate offensive threat.

“It did a lot for me knowing that I can run well against an elite defense,” Stanley said. “It really helped my confidence in the sense that I knew I could go out and just play anybody and do well.”

After a solid freshman campaign, Stanley proved himself to his teammates and coaches. The UW coaching staff is confident the young back will step up in his first career start Saturday.

“He’ll play well,” White said. “He’s a good back, he’s a quality football player and I’m excited to watch him play.”

In the offseason Stanley worked on his speed, improving his 40-yard-dash time to 4.5 seconds, a full .1 seconds faster than the 4.6 he ran last season. The added quickness will help Stanley become a big-play threat, something he hopes to display against UNLV.

“I haven’t really shown anybody me out in the open field, so if I get out, I’m going to [surprise people].” Stanley said.

With Davis and Smith watching from the sidelines, Stanley will take on the veteran leadership role on the field. In his third year in the system, the redshirt sophomore believes he is ready to accept that role.

“I feel that I can take on more of a role of leading by example and helping out the younger guys.” Stanley said.

Though unable to participate on the field, Davis and Smith have served as mentors for the younger tailbacks in practice.

“They’ve been staying around practices and just helping out,” Stanley said. “Helping guys get in the right positions and telling them what to do when you’re in a situation. Dwayne (Smith) has done a heck of a job even though he can’t play. He’s been out there helping with the coaching and helping the young guys, making them better.”

A pair of promising freshmen, Chris Pressley and Jamil Walker, will join Stanley in the backfield. Pressley, who has been compared to Ron Dayne due to his physical running style, rushed for 22 yards on eight carries (2.8 yards per carry) in Saturday’s win over Central Florida.

“We have two talented freshman and we’re going to have to play them,” White said. “I think you’ll see on Saturday that we do have depth.”

Stanley, Pressley and Walker will be tossed into the fire Saturday, when the Badgers take the field with an uncharacteristically young backfield. Stanley will look to establish himself early and prove himself to those who doubt his ability to replace Davis.

“Hearing that just makes me want to go out and show people I can help this team win and that if a guy goes down you can’t just look the other way and be like, ‘well, everything is going down the drain,'” Stanley said. “I think that every guy is recruited here to help this team. My number is called now, so it’s my turn to help.”