Julian Gray: 'I feel like this game showed just a part of what we can do'
Julian Gray returned a kickoff 82 yards Saturday to help punctuate NC State’s 45-7 blowout win over VMI. When he reflected on his first touchdown with the Wolfpack, he said the run back felt no different than his previous attempts.
Every time an opposing kicker gives him an opportunity, Gray knows he can score.
“That’s kind of my feeling with every return,” Gray said. “I hope to take every return to the house… After I got to the second level,l turned on the jets, and it was over with after that.”
The redshirt sophomore reached the end zone twice against VMI, but the first score was called back due to a penalty. Through three games, Gray is averaging 33.3 yards per kick return— a top-10 mark in the nation.
Punt returner Jalen Coit also took advantage of some booming kicks by the Keydets and ran back 3 attempts for a total of 68 yards.
Head coach Dave Doeren sees the confidence growing in the two underclassmen specialists, and he knows that can help make a difference in the games to come.
“The shorter the field, the more you score,” Doeren said. “And so your field position through your special teams is very, very important. Our return game has been a strength through three games.”
Coit took on the punt return role from long term specialist star and Minnesota Vikings receiver Thayer Thomas. Doeren said the redshirt-sophomore progressed rapidly from leaving the field happy to catch the ball against UConn to then making important plays in wet conditions against Notre Dame.
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As Gray and Coit continue to grow increasingly confident, their teammates will take notice, and that creates a ripple effect through the special teams unit. Doeren said he started to see that more against the Keydets.
“When you’re on a return unit as a blocker, and you know you have a dangerous guy behind you who is willing, you’re going to play a little different,” Doeren said.
In his third year at NC State, Gray found the end zone. With a smile on his face, he described the emotions that came along with scoring his first touchdown and celebrating with his teammates in front of Wolfpack nation.
“It felt really good, finally, to have the opportunity to score in the Carter,” Gray said.
When he makes game-changing plays on special teams, Gray knows it takes stress off the offense and builds momentum for the Pack. The receiver’s also led NC State in receiving yards with 80 after hauling in a 64-yard catch and run.
In Gray’s opinion, the win over VMI was another step in the right direction. He said the team is just focused on making positive strides every week, and that continues with UVA Sept. 22.
“I feel like this game showed just a part of what we can do,” Gray.
