[media-credit name=’Ben Smidt’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Anthony Davis returned to the field Saturday and with him came the return of the UW offense. After sputtering for three games without their offensive centerpiece, the Wisconsin attack was rejuvenated by the performance of its diminutive playmaker.

In his first game back Davis didn’t miss a beat, rushing for 213 yards on 27 carries and scoring all three Wisconsin touchdowns. The preseason All-American posted a remarkable 7.9 yards per carry in the victory, earning a nomination as one of four finalists for National Player of the Week.

As if that wasn’t enough, Davis also led the Badgers in receptions with three catches for 37 yards. With 250 all-purpose yards on the day, Davis accounted for 70 percent of Wisconsin’s total offense.

“I think it’s very evident what a difference-maker he is for us on offense,” offensive coordinator Brian White said. “He just played fantastic football, made a lot of great runs, caught the ball well. You don’t replace guys like that.”

With Davis on the sidelines, Wisconsin’s offense was anemic. The Badgers were forced to rely on phenomenal defensive performances as the UW attack slipped to last in the Big Ten in scoring production (20.2 points per game) and passing yardage (133.2 yards per game), and fell to 9th in total offense (315 yards per game).

When Davis returned Saturday, everything suddenly fell into place for the embattled UW offense. With Davis leading the way, Wisconsin gained 357 yards of total offense, including 258 yards on the ground. The senior tailback worked his magic and the Badgers’ offensive woes melted away.

“Offensively, when you put 28 (Anthony Davis) in the mix all of the sudden you get better,” head coach Barry Alvarez said. “I thought he was at a different speed than everyone else on the field.”

Wisconsin is simply a different team with Davis in the game. In the two games Davis started this season, the Badgers averaged 29 points. Without him, Wisconsin averaged just 14.3 points per game.

The Badgers’ average margin of victory with Davis in the backfield is 22.5 points per game. Without their offensive leader, Wisconsin has won by an average of 10 points per game.

“I think he brings that spark that our whole team needs,” fullback Matt Bernstein said. “We scored one touchdown last week; we scored three this week and he had all three of them. He’s just that guy. He’s our leader.”

Davis’ return seemed to make the entire offense better. With their top playmaker in the backfield, the offensive line turned in a masterful performance, the receivers threw some solid blocks, and first-year starter John Stocco took care of the ball after throwing two interceptions against Penn State last week.

“I fed off them, they fed off me,” Davis said.

Playing without tackle Mike Lorenz, who was sidelined with an injured foot, the offensive line opened up the holes and Davis did not miss them. After grinding it out for three games without a big play threat in the backfield, the line was rewarded Saturday as Davis broke four runs for over 20 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“Well we always say we block the same no matter what, but maybe in the back of our minds we’re thinking that we block a little harder and he’ll take it to the house,” center Dan Buenning said.

After capitalizing on Davis’ absence last week to run for more yards in one game (123) than he had compiled in his most productive season (120 yards, in 2003), no one was more excited about Davis’ return than the ‘Hebrew Hammer,’ Matt Bernstein.

“He’s the guy; we build off and around him,” Bernstein said. “It’s just an honor to block for him.”

With Booker Stanley and Jamil Walker watching from the sidelines, Bernstein and Davis formed a unique combination in the backfield. The 6-foot-2, 270 pound fullback and the 5-foot-8, 205 pound tailback kept the Illini defense off balance by presenting dramatically different running styles.

“When AD’s in there, he’s just so little you can’t really tackle him,” Bernstein said. “He’s just, he’s crazy. He’s a speed demon. When I get in, I’m trying to just lower my shoulder and hit somebody. I think it kind of confuses the defense a little bit because when I’m in there everything is a lot slower. Then when AD gets in there, it’s like boom, he’s gone.”

Bernstein notched 42 yards on 13 carries in a supporting role, allowing Davis to limit his touches in his first game back after missing three games with an eye injury.

Davis showed no lingering effects from the injury, eclipsing the 200-yard mark for the 5th time in his UW career. After an injury-plagued 2003 campaign, Davis had not rushed for over 100 yards against a Big Ten opponent since posting 301 yards against Minnesota in 2002.

“First game back, he had like 20 snaps all year and he went for 213 yards and three touchdowns,” Buenning said. “What more can you ask from a running back?”

Seeing his first action since going down in the season opener, Davis was as explosive as ever. From the opening snap, it was clear that Davis was playing on another level.

“The first time he carried the ball, I said he’s faster, he’s at a different speed than everyone else on the field,” Alvarez said.