CAMP Names Davis and Cross Winners
Davis rushed for 280 yards – the third most in Kentucky single-game history – and scored four touchdowns as the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 in SEC) defeated 22nd-ranked Florida, 33-14. The senior scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 75-year jaunt, and also added a nine-yard scoring reception.
By Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
The Walter Camp Foundation has named Kentucky running back Ray Davis and Notre Dame D-lineman Howard Cross FBS Players of the Week for games ending September 30th.
Davis rushed for 280 yards – the third most in Kentucky single-game history – and scored four touchdowns as the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 in SEC) defeated 22nd-ranked Florida, 33-14. The senior scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 75-year jaunt, and also added a nine-yard scoring reception.
“It was a great day. Personally, it was a great day for me, but I didn’t really do much today,” said Davis. “You have to give credit to the o-line, tight ends and receiving corps. Those guys were blocking down the field, 20 yards. They were just staying with it and constantly going. Obviously, today, running the ball was something we were good at. And the receivers decided to step up and block. “
He’s currently the SEC leading rusher with 594. The San Francisco native is the fourth Kentucky player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004, joining former Wildcat quarterback Will Levis (Oct. 10, 2021). The Wildcats will take on #1 ranked Georgia this weekend.
On the Defensive side Cross III collected 13 tackles, including 3.5 for losses, and one quarterback sack as 11th-ranked Notre Dame defeated 17th-ranked Duke, 21-14. Cross III forced two fumbles and had one quarterback hurry as the Fighting Irish improved to 5-1.
The Irish held Duke to just 131 total yards, including 15 carries for 38 yards in the first half.
Cross was fighting flu-like symptoms throughout the week. The 6-foot, 288-pounder likely played the most amount of snap among Notre Dame’s defensive linemen and never lacked effort.
Kentucky running back Ray Davis (1) celebrates a big gain during the second half against Florida in Lexington, Ky. The Senior ran for 280 yards and scored four touchdowns. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
“I’m not going to touch anything,” laughed Cross. “I have a really bad sinus infection, so I have no idea. There were three or four plays where I couldn’t breathe. I don’t know what’s going on. I just kept going. My dad was in the stands and he says keep moving if you want to feel better – run it out.”
The Graduate student from Paramus, New Jersey is the 13th Notre Dame player to earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the 11th defensive honoree.
Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp.
