Ray Evans

Bio

Ray Evans was one of the last of the great two-way players. Playing for Kansas in 1942, he led the nation in passing. He had 101 completions for 1117 yards. He was the second passer in history to break the 100-completion mark. On defense, he led the nation with ten pass interceptions. He is the only man who led the nation in passing and interceptions in the same year. Evans spent three years in the Army Air Force in World War II. He returned to Kansas in 1946 and led the team in rushing, passing, total offense, and scoring in a 7-2-1 season. In 1947, Kansas went 8-0-2 in the regular season, won the Big Six Conference, and went to the Orange Bowl, losing to Georgia Tech 20-14. Evans made All-America. Grantland Rice, writing in Look Magazine, called Evans "a fine passer, hard blocker, able ball carrier, and brilliant defensive player." He had 3799 yards in total offense in his career. This was a school record for 20 years. He played 1948 with Pittsburgh in the NFL, went into the banking business, and was president of the Trader National Bank in Kansas City, Missouri. Ray R. Evans lettered four years, 1941-42 and 1946-47. A son, Ray D. Evans lettered as a defensive back 1979-80. Evans was All-American in basketball, honor student, football captain, and senior class president. Kansas retired his football jersey, No. 42, and basketball jersey, No. 15.

Career Highlights

• 1947 All-Conference
• 1947 First Team All-America
• 1946 All-Conference
• 1946 Third Team All-America
• 1942 All-Conference
• 1942 Led nation in Interceptions
• 1942 Led nation in pass completions
• 1942 Third Team All-America