Josh McCray News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini

Big day in win McCray recorded 13 rushes for 114 yards and two touchdowns during Tuesday's 21-17 win over South Carolina.

Impact McCray had his best day of the season, notching his first and only 100-yard performance of the 2024 campaign. The tailback still had a career year in his fourth season with the Illini, rushing for 609 yards and 10 touchdowns. He'll have one more season of eligibility remaining for 2025.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Moderate day in season finale McCray recorded 11 carries for 46 yards and gathered in their only target for five yards during Saturday's 38-28 victory against Northwestern.

Impact McCray had a relatively quiet game on a day in which fellow running back Aidan Laughery dominated the Northwestern defense to the tune of 172 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. McCray did manage a respectable day against the Wildcats, averaging over four YPC. The junior running back finished the regular season with 495 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while adding 13 catches for 116 yards and a score through the air as well. His final opportunity to improve those season numbers will come in Illinois' upcoming bowl game.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in victory McCray recorded 13 carries for 58 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-31 victory over Rutgers.

Impact McCray found the end zone on a four-yard run in the third quarter to bring the Fighting Illini to within two points at the time. McCray has been hot lately, accounting for 191 yards and five touchdowns on the ground through the last three games. Overall, it's been a solid, while unremarkable, season for McCray, with the junior running back totaling 449 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground through 11 games while adding 12 receptions for 111 yards and a score through the air as well. The team's season finale against Northwestern on Saturday will be his final opportunity to improve his regular season numbers.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Running back Josh McCray healthy and thriving for Illinois football Josh McCray remembers his first contact with Illinois football like it was yesterday. It's actually coming up on four years ago.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • PANTAGRAPH.COM

Trio of touchdowns in win McCray had nine carries for 61 yards and three touchdowns and reeled in 1 of 2 targets for six yards during Saturday's 38-16 victory over Michigan State.

Impact McCray scored a season-high three touchdowns against the Spartans en route to a dominant win for the Fighting Illini. The junior running back has now run for 391 yards and seven touchdowns on 80 attempts on the ground, adding 12 catches for 111 yards and a score through the air as well. McCray has accounted for 139 total yards and four touchdowns in the team's last two games and will look to keep his positive momentum going in a road battle against Rutgers this coming Saturday.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Josh McCray's big day powers Illinois past Michigan State Josh McCray rushed for three touchdowns while Luke Altmyer threw for 231 yards and two scores as Illinois earned a 38-16 Big Ten victory ove...

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Josh McCray runs for three TDs to lead Illinois to a 38-16 win over slumping Michigan State

Josh McCray ran for three touchdowns and Luke Altmyer threw two TD passes, leading Illinois to a 38-16 victory Saturday over Michigan State

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores in defeat McCray logged seven rushes for 72 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 25-17 defeat against Minnesota.

Impact McCray found the end zone for the first time since Week 7, scoring on a 42-yard scamper in the second quarter to tie the score at 10. The junior running back has struggled to find consisten production this season, as he has accounted for less than 50 total yards five times this season. Overall, he has accounted for 330 yards and four touchdowns on the ground this season, adding 11 catches for 105 yards and a score through the air as well. His next opportunity to shine will come when the Fighting Illini host Michigan State following this week's bye.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Josh McCray scores 42-yard rushing touchdown to help No. 24 Illinois even the score against Minnesota

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Breakout performance in OT win McCray compiled 16 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in all three targets for 46 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 50-49 overtime victory against Purdue.

Impact When it rains, it pours. McCray put together a career day in Illinois' overtime thriller against Purdue, recording a season-high 124 total yards as he found the end zone on three occasions. The junior running back had had a minimal role within the Fighting Illini offense up to Saturday, as he had yet to handle double digit carries this season and had handled five or less attempts in three of the team's first five games. Saturday's explosion could lead to more opportunities for McCray moving forward, with his next opportunity coming against a tough Michigan defense this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights | FOX College Football

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Luke Altmyer links up with Josh McCray for a six-yard TD, extending Illinois' lead to 24-3 vs. Purdue

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Josh McCray rushes for an 11-yard TD to extend Illinois' lead over Purdue

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Stifled in return from injury McCray (lower leg) notched seven rushes for 17 yards during the 19-10 defeat against Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.

Impact McCray suited up for the first time following a three-game hiatus with a lower-leg injury. While the 235-pound back was able to fully participate in Illinois' bowl practices, he still finished as the team's second-leading rusher behind fellow sophomore Reggie Love (11 carries, 40 yards). The entire Fighting Illini rushing game was held to just 35 net rushing yards due to their offensive line's struggles to block in both the passing and running games. McCray, who was limited by injury for almost the entire season, finished the 2022 campaign with 23 touches for 75 yards across four appearances.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Practicing ahead of bowl game Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Thursday that McCray (lower leg) has been "100 percent involved" in bowl practices, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact McCray hasn't played since Week 10 due to a lower leg injury. However, it seems likely that he'll be able to suit up for Monday's game versus Mississippi State.

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Thursday that McCray will not play Saturday versus Wisconsin, Joey Wagner of 247 Sports reports.

Impact McCray has only played in one game so far this season. Bielema was optimistic that the sophomore running back would return this week, he will have to wait until next Saturday versus Iowa.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Close to making return McCray (knee) has continued rehab and is nearing a return, Joey Wagner reports.

Impact McCray is still questionable to return, though head coach Bret Bielema was enthusiastic about the running back making a return in the next two weeks. Chase Brown has led the way on the ground so far this season for the Fighting Illini.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said McCray (knee) is "getting close" but didn't practice with the team during the bye week, Brett Beherns of WCIA3 reports.

Impact Bielema added, "he's progressing well, I don't foresee this week being it but I think there's definitely a chance to go." The Illini return to action Thursday against Chattanooga, and while it sounds like McCray will return to practice before then, he'll likely remain sidelined for at least one more week.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Josh McCray runs for three TDs to lead Illinois to a 38-16 win over slumping Michigan State

Josh McCray scores 42-yard rushing touchdown to help No. 24 Illinois even the score against Minnesota

Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights | FOX College Football

Luke Altmyer links up with Josh McCray for a six-yard TD, extending Illinois' lead to 24-3 vs. Purdue

Josh McCray rushes for an 11-yard TD to extend Illinois' lead over Purdue