Ray Davis Will be Missed for a lot of Reasons

Vicky Graff Photo

I am not sure about you but I am going to miss Kentucky running back Ray Davis.

He only played for the Wildcats one season after transferring from Vanderbilt but his incredible life journey, accomplishments on the field and maturity off the field combined to make him a unique player.

Davis ran 13 times for 63 yards and one touchdown in Friday’s 38-35 Gator Bowl loss to Clemson. He also had four catches for six yards. His touchdown in the fourth quarter gave UK a 35-30 lead.

He finished the season with 199 carries for 1,129 yards — 5.7 yards per carry — and 14 rushing touchdowns. He also had 33 catches for 323 yards and seven more touchdowns.

Davis could have opted out of the bowl game to being preparing for the NFL draft but wanted to play one more time with his teammates.

“Helluva game. It’s a game that we love to be a part of. It’s a game as a fan you love to watch,” Davis said after the game. “We had a really good defense. We had some good opportunities to get in the end zone, and they played their butt off. Offensively we stepped up to the plate when needed to be.”

Davis understands every game has a winner and loser. He said he was just “proud” to be part of the UK program.

“I’m proud to have played that game. The rest of my life I’m going to be able to remember that and be able to know that I was part of a very historical game in a sense of just back and forth and ups and downs, highs and lows and knowing whenever adversity struck, we stepped up to the plate,” Davis said.

“Coach Stoops has always preached to us, when adversity strikes, do you step up to the plate? I think everybody on this team stepped up, took a swing. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but I can tell you now these guys are war-ready at any time.”

Davis had been seen in a walking boot prior to the game but insisted his ankle was fine during the game.

“I was fine. It was important. Like I said earlier in the week, it was important to be able to rally behind the guys and be able to finish this journey with my brothers,” Davis said “These guys are family to me. I couldn’t just walk away and not be a part of a season and finish it. It was a helluva ride. I’m proud to have come to Kentucky. I’m proud to have been able to represent this program and this institution to the best that I could be. I hope that someday when I come back people know that I left it all on the line.

“And I want to thank Coach Stoops. I want to thank Mitch (Barnhart). I want to thank everybody that helped me and was a part of this journey. I’m not a big crier, so I won’t shed any tears. It was a long season, a lot of ups and downs.

“At the end of the day, I’m just proud. One, I’m an alumni now. I’m proud to be able to say that. But, two, I’m proud to be a goddamn Wildcat, and I’m going to love it forever.”