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Running back Ray Davis has been the brightest star for the Kentucky offense through three games and became the first UK player ever to have a touchdown run of 50-plus yards and receiving touchdown of 50-plus yards in the same game.
He did that one week after UK head coach Mark Stoops noted that Davis, a Vanderbilt transfer, had missed “some holes” that created negative plays when he maybe got a little “greedy” looking for big plays.
“He’s very mature and very coachable, has great vision most of the time. He’s one of those guys and kind of fixes himself. He takes great pride in doing things and the details right,” Stoops said.
Saturday could be an emotional game for him when UK plays at Vanderbilt. A year ago Davis ran for over 100 yards to help Vandy stun Kentucky in Lexington. However, as soon as he got to UK he made it clear he was not Benny Snell or Chris Rodriguez, UK’s last two star running backs.
“I am not going to break those 1,000 tackles, not get an extra 5-6-7 yards (like Rodriguez and Snell did). I want to play my game and be me,” Davis said after UK’s 35-3 win over Akron last week when he ran for 72 yards and one score on seven carries and caught three passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
“I want to earn my respect. Key word is to earn my respect. Nothing is ever going to be given to me. I got to keep having games like that to earn it and put myself in the conversation to be one of the top running backs in the country.
“Me personally, I don’t feel like I am there yet. I have a lot to do. I am not perfect but I am evolving. I have a lot to do and I have to do what I can do myself and that will show as time goes on.”
Actually, it’s already showing. Many thought he was one of the SEC’s best backs last year despite playing behind a woeful offensive line. Now he gets his chance to show what he can do for UK in SEC play.
He believes his versatility sets him apart from most backs because he has the “ability to do a lot of things and line up in different positions” at any time.
“I think I bring a lot to the game that separates me from a lot of backs. I have really good vision and a really good IQ of the game,” Davis said. “I have learned the game and studied it. Anybody on this team can vouch that I am in that film room a lot studying.
“I am sticking to my game and trying to elevate and put myself in that conversation of being one of the top running backs at the end of the season and hopefully people notice that.”
