This highlight-reel catch by Demari Davis was part of his four-catch, 65-yard performance against FBS Illinois in Week 1. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Demari Davis dropped to both knees in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium in Champaign after a 21-yard reception. He put both hands to his facemask and blew a kiss skyward.
The gesture was quick Friday night at the University of Illinois, but the feeling behind it was immense.
“It was a wave of emotions,” said Davis, a senior wide receiver at Western Illinois.
The kiss was for his late mother, Amanda Estrada, who died July 5 in California at age 44. A lifelong sufferer of lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain throughout the body, Estrada had kidney and lung issues as a result of the disease, according to Davis.
A few months before her death, Estrada suffered a heart attack.
“She survived but there was only a certain percentage of her heart that was working at that point,” Davis said. “It was only a matter of time.”
When Davis leaped above Illini defensive back Kaleb Patterson and made a highlight-reel, third-quarter catch that ended up of ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the day, it was a perfect time to honor his mother.
“I wanted to be grateful for that moment and give the glory to her,” he said.
The Leathernecks, who lost 52-3 at Illinois, face another Big Ten opponent Friday night in Evanston when they take on Northwestern. (6:30 p.m., Big Ten Network) WIU enters the game with Davis (four catches, 65 yards) as its leading receiver.
Ruled a touchdown on the field, Davis’ catch was reviewed and the ball placed on the 1-yard line.
“It was disappointing,” Davis said, but it provided a reminder of his mother’s advice throughout his career.
“She was always so supportive,” he said. “She’s a big factor in how I got through my journey mentally. She was amazing. She’s my angel.”
Though Estrada may not have understood the finer points of football, she listened and advised her son while being around for every chapter in his career.
Estrada drove Davis to camps, practices and games while being an active part in her son’s passion.
“She was always so involved in my teams,” he said. “She was a team mom.”
Known for her creativity, intelligence and caring personality, Estrada left an impression that was unforgettable.
“She was a light in all darkness,” Davis said. “She made sure everyone was OK. She was caring and loving. She’d give you the shirt off her back on a rainy day.
“She was a 10 out of 10 person.”
Davis returned to California for a few days after his mother’s death in July, then spent more than a week at home during fall camp surrounding her Aug. 2 funeral.
Being back in Macomb made him appreciative of teammates, friends and coaches.
“I love Western,” he said. “Everyone’s condolences have been appreciated. I give my thanks to Western and the Macomb community. I’m grateful to be where I’m at and have the people that I have around me.”
This week’s opponent
Defensive line is among Northwestern’s most experienced units as the Wildcats returned 89% of their sacks and 59% of their tackles for loss from last season. Defensive end Aidan Hubbard collected the only NU sack against Tulane in the season opener last week, increasing his career total to 16.5. He has played in 37 career games. … Quarterback Preston Stone, a transfer from SMU, had a disastrous start to his season in the Wildcats’ 23-3 loss at Tulane. The graduate student was 19-for-36 passing for 161 yards and threw four interceptions. He was also sacked three times. … The Wildcats used three different running backs against Tulane. The most effective was grad student Cam Porter, who averaged 7.7 yards per carry while rushing six times for 46 yards. … Junior defensive back Robert Fitzgerald made 13 tackles against Tulane, the most for an NU defensive back in a game since Rod Heard II in 2023. … WIU will be the visitor Friday night to open the second season of NU’s temporary stadium along the lakefront. NU’s new version of Ryan Field is expected to open in 2026 with a seating capacity of 35,000, making it the smallest stadium in the Big Ten Conference.
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.; TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: Q981.com
Key matchup to watch
NU run game vs. Western front seven: Along with Porter running the ball, NU had Joseph Himon II (eight carries, 38 yards) and Caleb Komolafe (nine carries, 34 yards) post career highs in rushing attempts against Tulane. Western gave up 209 yards rushing and 5.6 yards a carry to Illinois.
What’s at stake?
The Leathernecks, who were the most productive offense in the OVC-Big South last season, are seeking an offensive spark against Northwestern after being held to only three points in last week’s loss at Illinois.
Quick hits
Despite Friday’s score, Western’s defense compiled three sacks. One each came from sophomore David Dunston, a transfer from NJCAA Lackawanna College, and true freshman Jalen Nicolas. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Payne Miller and senior middle linebacker Kevin Washington Jr. each added half a sack. “We feel like we have some dynamic pass rushers,” Davis said. … A big area of potential improvement is the WIU run game, which managed 29 yards on 26 carries. “You just can’t win football games running the ball as poorly as we did,” Davis said. “We tried to use some unique formations to try to get a little bit of leverage or space advantage. We just didn’t succeed.” WIU’s coach said he’s still confident in both the offensive line and running back room. “These first two games are very difficult for any FCS team to start the season with.” … This will be the first meeting between WIU and Northwestern since 2014, when NU won 24-7 in Evanston, and only the second all-time. The Leathernecks have played five other current Big Ten teams – Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin. … On playing the Illini, who moved up to No. 11 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, Davis said: “They’re fast, they’re physical and they’re well-paid. However many millions of dollars (in NIL money) are invested in their team, it’s certainly showed.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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