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18 HOURS AGO • PANTAGRAPH.COM
JOSH MCCRAY #6 - RUNNING BACK - ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
391 YDS •
80 ATT •
7 TD
391 YDS
80 ATT
7 TD
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.
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.
2 DAYS AGO • 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...
4 DAYS AGO • 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 State4 DAYS AGO • 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 • ROTOWIRE
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 • ROTOWIRE
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
