Doak Walker Honoree Kewan Lacy Shows He’s Ready to Carry Ole Miss Anytime Needed
OXFORD, Miss. –In Ole Miss football’s 30-23 win over Kentucky Saturday, running back Kewan Lacy rushed for 138 yards on 28 carries, his second-straight game with over 100 yards rushing. He currently leads the SEC with 246 yards.
138 on the ground for Kewan 💨 pic.twitter.com/YI4SrCZge1
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 8, 2025
Although the win was something of a nail-biter for fans — especially given last year’s 20-17 loss to the Wildcats — it came, in part, due to the Rebels’ ability to grind out the clock via the ground when they needed to, something they were not able to do last season.
Lacy’s major impact is something that is becoming a trend in the early games of the season.
In the season opener against Georgia State, he made his name known early, with 108 yards and 3 touchdowns in Ole Miss’ 63-7 win over the Panthers.
But with the performance against Kentucky, the sophomore transfer from Missouri is officially becoming one of the top running backs in the conference, if not the nation. He was named the Doak Walker National Player of the Week Tuesday.
Doak Walker National Player of the Week📈#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/WyCuj1DS1S
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 9, 2025
I asked him at Tuesday’s press conference how that made him feel to be recognized.
“It just gives me like a boost knowing that I’ve been acknowledged for something, and I just feel like it’s just going to keep me driving forward,” Lacy said on the award.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has been effusive in his praise of Lacy and what he brings the the Rebels’ squad. He talked about the ground game and its importance after the Kentucky game.
“I mean, he just he’s really good, you know? And, we had Quinshon (Judkins) for those two years, and he’s a great running back, but then we went a year without it [last season]. You can see it’s hard, it’s hard in the SEC when these games, you know, kind of turn it over. The passing game is not working great or you’re not protecting. You want to run the ball. And that was the goal today. This is kind of what I probably would have predicted, we got 48 rushes, 24 passes. Probably would have predicted that to happen in a good way. So that was really good to see. And he’s a huge part of that.“
Lane Kiffin on Lacy and the running game
As for Lacy, he believes it’s just all part of his job, to rush the ball and do the best he can for his team — especially if the passing game might be a little slow to get started, as it was against Kentucky.
“I feel like we take running in general…we’ve got to take pride in that,” Lacy explained. “So I feel like just them leaning on me is just my job I have to do. So I feel like it is my responsibility to run the ball.”
Lacy is also becoming known for his blocking, something Ole Miss desperately needs.
Kewan Lacy pic.twitter.com/RkdbwXvRU4
— Cade Smith (@cadesmith_3) September 8, 2025
He was asked Tuesday what makes him a good blocker, is it all in the details of blocking or is it the mentality?
“I feel like it’s more so just a mentality. You have to go out there and be willing to put your body on the line and protect the quarterback at all costs.“
Kewan Lacy on his mentality blocking
Kewan was also asked if, when he transferred to Ole Miss from Missouri, he envisioned getting off to such a fast start in Oxford.
“Really, I just take it day by day and whatever God gives me, you know, that’s what I just go with. And I feel like He is just giving me the best right now. So I’m thankful for that.“
Kewan Lacy
As impressive as Lacy has been already in the two first games, he believes he can get better.
“I feel like I can improve on everything. So I’m not getting stuck on one thing. I feel like I’m just trying to improve every day on everything.“
Kewan Lacy
Next Up
Lacy and the Rebels will return home and host the Arkansas Razorbacks in a SEC clash at 6 pm cdt on ESPN.
Billy Kuhl
Billy Kuhl joins The Rebel Walk as a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in Journalism with a Sports Media concentration. He is from Jefferson Township, New Jersey and graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he played varsity baseball, and soccer, and swam competitively in his summers. You can contact him at wpkuhl88@gmail.com or DM him on X @Billykuhll or instagram @Billykuhll_
