Quinton Gray was all over the field making big plays for West Virginia State University Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets wide receiver helped lead a potent State attack that rolled up 590 yards of total offense in earning a 52-45 shootout victory over Concord on senior day at Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium.
Gray had career-highs in receptions (11), receiving yards (211) and touchdowns (three), ran the ball twice for 23 yards, completed a pass for a 33-yard touchdown and recovered an onside kick with 2:23 left in the game that helped seal the victory for State.
"Quinton was outstanding," State head coach Jon Anderson said. "It is great to see him continue to get in the end zone. He is a slot receiver that does so many good things for us. He is a tremendous athlete and student. I'm super excited to see him succeed."
Gray, a five-foot-11, 175-pound junior, leads State in receptions (58) and receiving yards (702) on the season. The junior had 878 yards last season and was happy to be able to deliver for his team.
"I give it everything to my team," Gray said. "I beat a State record last year, and I beat my record again. A game against UVA-Wise, I had nine receptions, 202 yards and two touchdowns. It makes me feel good and cool I get put in the record book, making a mark."
The Yellow Jackets improved to 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the MEC and snapped a seven-game losing streak. Anderson was relieved to see a win, and happy for the seniors to be able to do so in their last home game at State.
"I'm super happy for this football team that has stayed the course, continued to work hard, and be coached," Anderson said. "It's not easy when you aren't being rewarded with victories. It is an outstanding day and a reward."
It was a shootout from both teams right from the beginning as State and Concord scored on four of their six first-half possessions, including three touchdowns and a field goal.
The score was all knotted at 24 at halftime, with the teams combining for 609 yards of total offense. Concord quarterback Brian Novak was 15 for 23 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and two Mountain Lion receivers had over 100 yards.
The second half was much the same as State took the second-half kickoff and drove 86 yards on just two plays, capped off by a 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Kinnick to Gray.
Much like the first half, the teams went back and forth scoring touchdowns after the break. Concord scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and State had TDs on its first three possessions, giving the Yellow Jackets a 45-38 lead entering the fourth quarter.
With both defenses struggling, State was finally able to make a big stand. Late in the third quarter, Concord got pinned at its own 3-yard line and the Mountain Lions fumbled one play later, with Yellow Jackets linebacker Kaylan Striggle recovering.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, State running back Dionta Brown scored on a 2-yard run to give the Yellow Jackets some breathing room at 52-38.
"That turnover was needed," Anderson said. "It was huge, especially in the field position they were in. That is the difference in the football game. We weren't doing good things in stopping their drives.
"Sometimes you get in those type of games. It feels like whoever has the ball last. When you get in games or circumstances like that, to be able to get the turnover, sometimes that is just all you need."
Concord cut the State lead to 52-45 on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Novak to Davon McGill with 2:23 left. The Mountain Lions attempted an onside kick with Gray recovering, and the Yellow Jackets ran the clock out.
State finished with 590 yards of total offense. Kinnick was 22 of 33 passing for 289 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Brown rushed for 136 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
Novak was 22 of 39 passing for 403 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Jermeil Douse caught nine passes for 168 yards and three TDs and McGill added 158 yards on six catches with two scores. The teams combined for 1,191 yards of offense.