Ray Davis runs into Kentucky football history during 2023 Governor’s Cup win at Louisville
Kentucky extended its winning streak over Louisville in the Governor’s Cup to five games, ending any chance No. 9 Louisville had for the College Football Playoff.
Wildcats star running back Ray Davis was a big reason, tallying 76 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries, in their 38-31 victory Saturday at L&N Stadium.
Davis was also big in the passing game, with four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
Davis came alive for Kentucky in the fourth quarter; he had a 20-yard touchdown reception to put the Wildcats ahead, 31-24, with 8 minutes, 37 seconds remaining.
He also had a 37-yard touchdown run with 1:02 left to put Kentucky ahead, 38-31.
On a 14-yard carry in the first quarter, Davis became the seventh player to rush for 1,000 yards under Mark Stoops at Kentucky.
Davis also broke Kentucky's single-season touchdown record (20), previously held by Benny Snell Jr. (19).
"I don't necessarily worry about all the touchdowns. You know, we're about what I can do for my team. And, again, if that's running the ball, catching the ball, that's all that matters," Davis said.
"To be able to submit my name in history with the best of them, Benny and C-Rod (Chris Rodriguez Jr.) and Boom (Stanley Williams), and I just hope down the line whoever comes next, know how much it (takes) to come into a position playing running back for Kentucky and know that you got to be the man, you got to be able to step up to the plate, you know, win or lose, and be able to be the same guy each and every day."
Previous Kentucky football 1,000-yard rushers
2021 Chris Rodriguez Jr. — 225 carries and 1,379 yards with 12 touchdowns
Best game: 27 carries, 206 yards and four total touchdowns against Missouri
2019 Lynn Bowden Jr. — 185 carries and 1,468 yards with 13 rushing touchdowns
Best game: 22 carries, 284 yards and four rushing touchdowns against Louisville
2018 Benny Snell Jr. — 289 carries and 1,449 yards with 16 touchdowns
Best game: 27 carries, 175 yards against Florida
2017 Benny Snell Jr. — 262 carries and 1,333 yards with 19 touchdowns
Best game: 29 carries, 211 yards and two touchdowns against Louisville
2016 Stanley Williams — 171 carries and 1,170 yards with eight touchdowns
Best game: 19 carries, 182 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri
2016 Benny Snell Jr. — 186 carries and 1,091 yards with 13 touchdowns
Best game: 38 carries, 192 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri
Governor's Cup: UK adds to streak vs. U of L but heads into expanded SEC with questions
Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UK football: Ray Davis reaches 1,000 rushing yards in Louisville win
