PROVO — BYU cornerback Michael Davis is facing misdemeanor assault and riot charges in connection with an alleged confrontation over a parking space in July.
Davis is listed as a starter heading into the Cougars’ season-opener Saturday at Nebraska. It is not known if Davis will join the team in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the game.
“We are aware of the citation, and it has been addressed by the university,” said BYU football spokesman Brett Pyne.
The alleged incident occurred on July 29 at Old Mill Apartments in Provo, according to Provo police spokeswoman Nisha Henderson. Another individual sustained “minor, visible injuries,” Henderson said.
Davis was cited with assault, a class A misdemeanor, and riot, a class B misdemeanor. He was not taken into custody, according to Henderson.
The junior from Glendale, California, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He asked for a jury trial and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 1
The riot charge could involve “simultaneously, with two or more other persons, being engaged in tumultuous or violent conduct and thereby knowingly and recklessly (creating) substantial risk of harm or causing public alarm,” Henderson said.
Davis arrived at BYU in 2013 as a wide receiver but was switched to defensive back. He played in all 13 games last season, starting in eight. He recorded 43 tackles and six pass breakups.
Davis isn’t the only Cougar defender to run afoul of the law last summer. Linebacker Sione Takitaki is facing two misdemeanor theft charges for allegedly stealing items on campus. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall has suspended Takitaki for the season-opener.