LEXINGTON, Ky. -- One more step to his left, and Gators running back Chris Rainey would have been out of bounds. Another step forward, and two Kentucky defenders were prepared to confront him with a likely tackle.

A dead end? Not for this group of Gators, which is quickly defining itself as a team that simply won’t stop running. Rainey took a few steps backward before streaking toward the opposite sideline and eventually for 27 yards to the 1-yard line.

Once again led by Rainey and running back Chris Demps in a 48-10 rout of Kentucky, the Gators are looking like a team that will go as far as their running game will take them. On Saturday, it took them to ridiculous lengths. Rainey finished with 106 yards on 15 carries, and Demps topped him with an 84-yard touchdown to push his total to 157 yards on 10 carries.

It marks the first time since 2008 that a duo of Gators running backs has darted for more than 100 yards in the same game. Demps’ effort was a career high, the sixth 100-yard game of his career.

Another big day

For Rainey, it was actually just more of the same. This is the third big game for Rainey this season, and his second in as many weeks. Against Tennessee, it was Rainey who sparked the win with 108 yards on 21 carries.

But if the Gators are going to have continued success this season, they’ll need to do more than pile up gaudy numbers against an opponent like Kentucky. True, the Wildcats’ defense has been solid this year — but it still isn’t likely to present the same challenge that Alabama will provide in Gainesville next week.

Perhaps that’s why the Gators were looking to expand on their usual package of running plays Saturday, attempting to add the Wildcat formation (made popular by the Dolphins) into their arsenal.

Alternating between Rainey and Trey Burton as the triggermen (playing the role of Ronnie Brown), the Gators used the direct snap more than 10 times Saturday. At the very least, it’s likely to cause Alabama to prepare for it.

The direct snap to Rainey could allow the Gators to get the most out of their weapons on offense, considering they’ve made it clear that their best assets are their running backs.

Brantley improving

Still, quarterback John Brantley’s continued progress is also going to be important to Florida’s chances against the Crimson Tide. Brantley was as good as he needed to be Saturday, helping his team put up 21 points in the first quarter.

But most of the team’s early success was actually generated from two turnovers that put Florida in solid field position. After a fumble recovery in the first quarter, Brantley did his part by completing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Christian on the next play.

A 20-yard completion by Brantley on the next offensive series set up Demps’ 20-yard touchdown run, contributing to the quarterback’s success as a complimentary weapon to the Gators’ ground attack. Brantley finished 8 of 15 with 114 passing yards.

By avoiding any turnovers on his watch — as he managed to accomplish Saturday — Brantley can continue to put the Gators in the best position to win by relying mostly on Demps and Rainey.

More from WRs?

The Gators will likely need to get at least some success from their wide receivers moving forward, but Brantley’s growing confidence can also be attributed to his comfort level when it comes to using Rainey and Demps in the passing game, as well.

But there’s no question leading into next week’s big showdown against Alabama that the success of this Florida team is going to rely on their two running backs. It has been true all season. And it was most certainly the case Saturday.