LEXINGTON — Running back Ray Davis ran for a career-high 280 yards and Kentucky routed the 23rd-ranked Florida Gators 33-14 on Saturday afternoon.
Davis carried the mail all game for the Wildcats, with 26 rushes for 280 yards and three rushing touchdowns. His rushing total was the third highest in program history. David also caught a touchdown pass. His four total touchdowns tied the most in school history.
Kentucky (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) piled up 329 rushing yards for the game, while holding Florida to just 69 yards.
The Wildcats opened up the scoring on their first offensive possession of the game. Davis had carries of 10, 19, and four on Kentucky's first three plays of the drive.
However, the Wildcats could only drive as far as the Florida 10 before stalling out. Alex Raynor came on and connected on a 24-yard field goal to give Kentucky an early 3-0 lead.
Kentuckys' defense would make the first big play of the game, as Trevin Wallace would intercept Florida's Graham Mertz and return the ball to the Gator 15 and set the offense up inside the red zone.
Two plays later, Devin Leary would connect with Davis on a nine-yard touchdown pass to push Kentucky's lead out to 10-0 with 5:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Kentucky would capitalize on another miscue by the Gators, as Florida forced the Wildcats to punt, but was penalized and gave Kentucky a fresh set of downs.
On the very next play, Davis would cut right up the middle — virtually untouched — and scamper 75 yards for his second touchdown of the day. The extra point would be blocked but Kentucky held a 16-0 lead with 23 seconds remaining in opening quarter.
Davis would continue to carve up the Gator defense on Kentucky's next possession, with runs of 16 and 33 yards. By this time, Davis had eclipsed 200 yards rushing. He would finish off the drive, punching it in from three-yards out to give Kentucky a 23-0 lead with 8:54 remaining before halftime.
Florida (3-2, 1-1) would finally get on the board in the closing seconds of the first half, as Mertz would hit tight end Hayden Hansen for a four-yard touchdown. Kicker Trey Smack would add the extra point to cut the deficit to 23-7 as the teams headed into halftime.
The Wildcats would get the ball to start the second half and go right back to Davis. The senior running back would rip off a gain of 31 yards to push Kentucky deep into Florida territory.
A passing interference would also aid Kentucky to move closer to the two-yard line. Davis would finish off the drive with a two-yard run and put Kentucky ahead 30-7 with 10:54 left in the third frame.
The Gators would find the end zone one more time on their ensuing possession. On a fourth-and-three play from the Kentucky 43, Mertz managed to get the ball to Trevor Etienne for a 10-yard gain and move the sticks.
On the very next play, Mert would hit Ricky Pearsall for a 33-yard touchdown strike. Smack's point after try would convert and Florida trailed 30-14.
But that would be the closet Florida would get the rest of the way.
In the fourth quarter, Raynor would boot a 50-yard field goal to extend Kentucky's lead to 33-14 with 7:44 remaining in the game and ultimately be the final score.
Kentucky will be on the road next week, visiting top-ranked Georgia at Sanford Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN.
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