Saturday’s performance against the Kansas Jayhawks represented a high point for running back Eric Gray. His 176 rushing yards against Kansas marked the second-most in his collegiate career. 8.8 yards per carry was also the third-highest number in a game where he carried the ball more than 10 times.
Gray is 13th in the nation in rushing yards and sixth in the country in yards per attempt among players with at least 6.25 rushes per game. Gray is tied for fifth in the country in runs of 10 yards or more, according to Pro Football Focus.
Even in the Red River Showdown, where there weren’t many bright spots, Gray’s 11 carries for 59 yards stood out. With no real passing threat for the Longhorns to be concerned with, Gray was able to churn out 5.4 yards per carry.
He’s been instrumental in Oklahoma’s offensive success this season. Gray’s been elusive, agile, and has found a way to create big play after big play behind an offensive line that’s playing really well too.
Coming into the 2022 season, the running back position was a huge question mark. There was talent on the depth chart, but uncertainties that came along with it.
Eric Gray was really good at Tennessee before becoming the forgotten man for Lincoln Riley and the Sooners’ coaching staff in 2021. Marcus Major’s career has been up and down. There’s been promise, but eligibility issues in 2021 or injuries in 2022 have kept him from consistent playing time. Jovantae Barnes is showing signs of a player on the verge of a breakout performance but isn’t quite ready for a featured role just yet.
With Kennedy Brooks moving on to the NFL, the Sooners needed Gray to be the leader at running back. The coaching staff raved about him all offseason and we got a glimpse of his breakaway potential in the spring game. But he’s answered the call in 2022, helping Oklahoma’s offense be balanced and explosive with his ability to run inside and outside the tackles.
Gray has answered all questions about whether or not he could carry the load with a season-high 20 carries against Kansas. For the Sooners to string together some wins and earn bowl eligibility, they’ll need Gray to continue to be the dynamic force he’s been through the first seven games of the season.
He’ll get a breather this week with the bye week, but then a really good Iowa State run defense is on the docket for Gray and the Sooners offensive line.
The Cyclones are allowing just 3.3 yards per carry and 105.3 rushing yards per game, good for 21st in the nation.
As the offensive line continues to make a statement this season and the running game has found its footing, that will be quite the matchup next weekend in Ames.
With the way that Eric Gray has played for the Sooners this season, it should be another strong game for the talented junior running back.
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