Oregon State's offense was expected to take a big leap this season behind D.J. Uiagalelei and an experienced offensive line. Senior left tackle Joshua Gray was always going to be a big part of the game plan for the Beavers offense against San Diego State, but no one expected him to score a touchdown for his squad. And on a 3 yard screen pass deftly tossed from star QB Uiagalelei, that had everyone in Reser stadium on their feet.
BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN ?
Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray walks it into the end zone ?pic.twitter.com/MKsq6JBH8a
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2023
Technically Uiagalelei threw the pass to Gray backwards, so the touchdown will go down in the scorebooks as a rushing TD. Gray and the Beavers don't care, and neither does anyone else who loves a big man touchdown. Oregon State had put two field goals on the board but the "rush" to Gray was the first touchdown for the offense on the day, capping off a six play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
Scores by offensive lineman are a wonder to behold, especially when they get the exceedingly rare opportunity to run with the ball in space. The big hosses up front are fantastic athletes, a fact that can be forgotten as they muck up in the trenches all game. Even the 300 pounders on a college football field are athletic marvels, and it is incredibly fun to be reminded of that.
Gray himself stands 6'4" 310 pounds and the Aztecs defense found out just how fast a guy that size can be. Uiagalelei dropped back for a play action pass on first and goal from the three-yard line and the San Diego State secondary had nice coverage. Unfortunately for them the intended receiver was not a true receiver. It was big number sixty-seven on the Beavers offensive line. Gray earned second team All-Pac-12 in 2022, but the honor of scoring a touchdown from the left tackle position might just be the highest he's ever received.
