Pitt got a breakout from a freshman receiver on Saturday, and Demetrice McCray turned it into ACC recognition.
McCray was named ACC Rookie of the Week after piling up 73 yards and two touchdowns in Pitt’s 59-0 win over Bucknell. The production came in a game where the Panthers had plenty of options through the air, but McCray made his catches count.
The freshman finished with only three receptions, yet two of them went for scores. Both touchdowns came in an explosive second quarter, with Mason Heintschel finding McCray on throws of eight and 48 yards as Pitt kept stretching the margin and Bucknell struggled to move the ball.
McCray’s award is Pitt’s second ACC Rookie of the Week honor this season. Running back Damon Ferguson Jr. earned the same distinction after his 102-yard performance against Syracuse. It’s also Pitt’s fourth ACC Team of the Week recognition overall, with Alex Sanford Jr. taking Linebacker of the Week against Syracuse and Mason Heintschel earning Quarterback of the Week against Miami (OH).
McCray, who goes by the nickname “meatshop,” said the name started back in high school. “I really got [my nickname] from high school,” McCray said postgame.
“My coach said this guy is unstoppable. He's like a meatshop, he's always open.”
Even with his limited spot on the depth chart, McCray looked like a player Pitt has to account for. That matters because the Panthers’ receiver room has been a talking point, especially with questions in the offseason about how deep that group really was.
Against Bucknell, Censere Lee led the way with three touchdown catches and 47 yards. Tyreek Robinson and freshman Bryan Hamilton also hauled in touchdown passes.
Bryce Yates didn’t reach the end zone, but he was second on the team with 77 receiving yards on four catches. Cataurus “Blue” Hicks didn’t have his best outing, though he has been reliable for Pitt last year and early this season.
“All the receivers get in work with Mason after practice,” McCray said. “We all are just in-tune and locked in.”
Pitt also has Western Carolina transfer Malik Knight, who impressed in the season opener before an injury sidelined him.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi said McCray’s burst has shown up all camp. “Demetrice has been like that all camp,” Narduzzi said.
“He's fast, he doesn't look fast, I think it's the number 87 that makes him look slower. But the guy can run and can catch contested balls.”
The challenge gets much bigger next. Pitt heads on the road to 4-0 Virginia Tech for a night game on Oct 2, the Panthers’ second ACC game and their toughest test so far. McCray barely saw the field against UCF or Syracuse, but his showing against Bucknell could put him in line for more snaps in one of the biggest games of the season.
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