A rivalry game took place in Lexington on Saturday afternoon as Florida traveled to play Kentucky and while all eyes were on the quarterback position after Conner Weigman’s season-ending injury, it was running back Ray Davis who stole the show.
Kentucky’s star running back had himself a massive day against the Gators, rushing for well over 200 yards and finishing with nearly 300 total.
In fact, Davis ran for 280 yards on 26 carries and had a nine-yard reception as well. That’s just an insane stat line for any running back, especially against a ranked opponent in conference play.
It’s safe to say that the nation took notice.
Jesse Palmer believes Ray Davis should be a Heisman candidate
During the performance, ESPN’s Jesse Palmer made a bold proclamation about Davis who was probably an afterthought in the Heisman Trophy race before the game.
"I think after that performance today Ray Davis has dropped his name into the hat that is the Heisman trophy conversation" - Jesse Palmer, noted football analyst and my wife's favorite American baking show host
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) September 30, 2023
Does he have a point?
I think he absolutely does, especially since Davis wasn’t exactly a slouch before the game. He just proved himself as much more than just a running back who beats up on inferior opponents.
Before the game, Davis had 314 yards and five touchdowns on 50 carries and now he has 594 rushing yards and eight rushing scores on the season, jacking that yards-per-carry average up from 6.3 to 7.8. Not too shabby.
Plus, he added a receiving touchdown against the Gators.
Davis was the entire offensive side of the ball for Kentucky in the win and absolutely needs to be considered as a Heisman candidate, especially if he can keep this momentum going next week.