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Davis, like most football announcers, stands throughout the game. He finds that it helps him to maintain his energy level. He wears an earpiece, known in the business as an IFB (Interruptible Foldback), so that the producer in the truck and sometimes a few other people may converse with him. The fewer voices in his ear, Davis finds, the better. As Johnsondescribes the action on eachplay, Davis provides information on players, such as Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota of Oregon. His task is to inform viewers while making it also sound conversational. Davis also has to be aware of when the drama of the game takes precedence. “Somebody once advised me,” he says, “that the first three quarters are for storytelling and the last quarter is for coaching. In the fourth quarter, my job is to help viewers understand what both teams need to do, or are trying to do, in order to win.” On this September day, the Ducks prevail. Davis takes the IFB out of his ear and loosens his tie. There’s another game next Saturday, but for the next few hours, he can relax.

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