IRVING, TX — Texas Tech senior wide receiver Drae McCray was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in the Red Raiders’ victory over Abilene Christian.
McCray, who was recognized for the first time as a Red Raider, proved again why he’s one of the most explosive returners in all of college football as he brought back three kicks for a total of 165 yards against the Wildcats, finishing with an impressive 55.0 average. His 165 total kick return yards lead the FBS through games completed Sunday evening.
McCray had returns of 74 and 65 yards in the win, making him the only FBS player currently with multiple kick returns of at least 50 or more yards so far this season. His first return of 74 yards marked the second-longest of his career, as he previously went 100 yards against Houston last season for a touchdown.
Texas Tech Kick Returner Drae McCray
(Credit: texastech.com)
Both returns set up scoring opportunities for the Red Raiders, who settled for a Gino Garcia 39-yard field goal in the second quarter but found the end zone the next time around after halftime thanks to a Josh Kelly 35-yard strike from Behren Morton. The touchdown pass to Kelly gave the Red Raiders a 39-28 lead.
McCray, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, could potentially enter the top 10 all-time for career kick return yards this Saturday at Washington State as he trails Rodney Blackshear (1987-91) by 17 yards for 10th place. McCray, who has totaled 882 kick return yards on only 29 returns as a Red Raider, is also in striking distance of Ben McRoy in seventh place (2010-11, 977 yards), Wayne Walker in eighth (1985-88, 959 yards) and Johnnie Mack in ninth (2003-04; 955 yards).
Kickoff between Texas Tech and Washington State is slated for 9 p.m. CT Saturday evening from Gesa Field in Pullman. Coverage will be provided nationally on FOX as well as the Texas Tech Sports Network.
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