Malik Davis’ emergence helping Gators offensive line

Since the very first time running back Malik Davis touched the ball in a Florida Gators uniform, it was obvious he would be a special player. He’s just a freshman, but that’s hard to tell from the way he carries himself.

He impressed in fall camp, but likely wasn’t going to see much time this season with a crowded Florida backfield. His window of opportunity opened when lead back Jordan Scarlett was suspended ahead of the season opener, along with eight other players. Now, that title may very well belong to Davis.

With the recent developments of felony charges on the horizon for the group of suspended players, it doesn’t look like Scarlett will be back anytime soon, if at all. And while Lamical Perine and Mark Thompson have had their moments this season, Davis leads the team in carries (26) and has more yards to his name (195) than both of them combined this season.

Based on his performance at Kentucky last week, he looks ready to carry the torch. He carried the offense on his back in the second half to lead the Gators to a 13-point comeback to win 28-27.

He finished the game with 21 carries for 93 yards, after putting up 94 yards against Tennessee the week before. As the only running back to touch the ball in the fourth quarter (and nearly the entire second half), 53 of those yards came in the final 15 minutes of play.

“He was turning runs that should be maybe a yard, maybe two yards into 5-yard gains,” said redshirt junior quarterback Luke Del Rio. “That’s how we won the game. The O-line blocked their tails off and Malik made people miss when he needed to.”

Davis’ play sparked the offense as a whole, but it gave the biggest boost to the offensive line. Expectations were so high for the offensive line leading up to the season, and to that point it had been a pretty big disappointment.

Once Davis started finding holes and running all over Kentucky’s defense, the offensive line found a new sense of energy.

While line play improved, Davis has the ability to create some plays without much help. Even Florida’s 37-year-old offensive line coach thinks he could still get on the field with a back like that behind him.

“He makes us look good,” Brad Davis said. “That kid’s fantastic. You could put me in there and he’d still probably get a yard or two.”

One play in particular is the perfect example to prove that statement, and it came in the final minutes with all of Florida’s hopes for winning the game on the line.

“We had that run, it was 4th-and-1 I believe, and the D-line did a great job submarining us, you know diving down our legs so we couldn’t get movement,” said redshirt sophomore center T.J. McCoy. “And he kind of just went around it and jumped over the pile and kept running to the linebacker and got some tough yards.”

While that play and Davis’ performance over the last two weeks opened eyes and proved he is ready to take on a bigger role in this offense, his play has come as no shock to his teammates. It’s the same thing he does in practice every day, after all.

Now, the young tailback must continue translating that play over to Saturday’s and making his offensive line look good.

“I wasn’t surprised because I know his ability,” McCoy said. “He’s been working his tail off in practice, and I’m just really proud of him. I’m just really proud of his progression and how far he’s come from camp.”

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.