TicketsSept. 21, 2014
In an offense with a quarterback who finds open receivers, University of Cincinnati signal caller Gunner Kiel locates wide receiver Mekale McKay pretty well.
But then again at 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, McKay stands out - physically. Two games through his sophomore campaign the big target continues to build the confidence of his quarterback as well as Bearcat fans alike.
"He's fast. He's big. He has great hands and can jump out of the sky," Kiel said. "He's just an amazing player."
And McKay is off to a fast start.
McKay's early-season numbers include 12 receptions for 215 yards and a team-high three touchdowns.
The Louisville, Kentucky native entered Saturday's homecoming contest against Miami Ohio as the nation's leader in receiving yards after catching nine Kiel passes for a career-high 175 yards and one score in the season opener against Toledo.
In fact, it was McKay who caught Kiel's first collegiate pass a 52-yard reception that set the stage for the Bearcats' first-quarter scoring flurry against Toledo. The duo went on to connect eight more times in UC's 58-34 season victory over the Rockets.
In UC's 31-24 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, McKay pulled in three receptions, including two for touchdowns. Both TD tosses came in the first half. Kiel found McKay for a 27-yard score to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:54 left in the first quarter. The duo later gave UC a 24-14 advantage when McKay caught a 7-yard TD from Kiel with 31 seconds left before halftime.
"I know he is going to find me," McKay said. "I work my hardest to get open so it's easier for him."
McKay credits his success to the work put in prior to gameday and chemistry he's build with Kiel and the gifted group of receivers during practice.
"Our receiving corps is tremendous," McKay said. "We can get open under any kind of pressure. We're always here for one another and we're always trying to make each other better. The key for us is that we work in practice with an intensity as if it's a game so when it comes to the game it's easy. Practice makes perfect. The more repetitions we get against the scout defense (Kiel and I) just connect. We're getting better and better every game."
McKay was pretty good last year as a freshman, pulling down 16 receptions for 485 yards and seven touchdowns. Proving himself as a deep threat, McKay averaged 30.3 yards per reception with all seven of his scores coming on throws of 15 yards or more. He would have led the nation in yards per catch but fell short of the NCAA minimum for receptions per game (2.0).
"I come into a game with a mentality to compete," McKay said. "I just try to be at my best when my best is needed. I want to come out being really focused and comfortable."
And his ability to make the big catch gives his new signal caller the comfort and trust to continue throwing his way.
"He's a big player, an impact player for us and the wide receiver corps," Kiel said. "All I have to do is drop back and just believe in him to go get a ball and try to give him an opportunity to jump up and make a huge catch like he always does.
"He has all the tools and mechanics to play at the next level," Kiel said. "It's going to be interesting to see what he does the rest of the year. He is something special."
By Andre Foushee
In an offense with a quarterback who finds open receivers, University of Cincinnati signal caller Gunner Kiel locates wide receiver Mekale McKay pretty well.
But then again at 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, McKay stands out - physically. Two games through his sophomore campaign the big target continues to build the confidence of his quarterback as well as Bearcat fans alike.
"He's fast. He's big. He has great hands and can jump out of the sky," Kiel said. "He's just an amazing player."
And McKay is off to a fast start.
McKay's early-season numbers include 12 receptions for 215 yards and a team-high three touchdowns.
The Louisville, Kentucky native entered Saturday's homecoming contest against Miami Ohio as the nation's leader in receiving yards after catching nine Kiel passes for a career-high 175 yards and one score in the season opener against Toledo.
In fact, it was McKay who caught Kiel's first collegiate pass a 52-yard reception that set the stage for the Bearcats' first-quarter scoring flurry against Toledo. The duo went on to connect eight more times in UC's 58-34 season victory over the Rockets.
In UC's 31-24 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, McKay pulled in three receptions, including two for touchdowns. Both TD tosses came in the first half. Kiel found McKay for a 27-yard score to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:54 left in the first quarter. The duo later gave UC a 24-14 advantage when McKay caught a 7-yard TD from Kiel with 31 seconds left before halftime.
"I know he is going to find me," McKay said. "I work my hardest to get open so it's easier for him."
McKay credits his success to the work put in prior to gameday and chemistry he's build with Kiel and the gifted group of receivers during practice.
"Our receiving corps is tremendous," McKay said. "We can get open under any kind of pressure. We're always here for one another and we're always trying to make each other better. The key for us is that we work in practice with an intensity as if it's a game so when it comes to the game it's easy. Practice makes perfect. The more repetitions we get against the scout defense (Kiel and I) just connect. We're getting better and better every game."
McKay was pretty good last year as a freshman, pulling down 16 receptions for 485 yards and seven touchdowns. Proving himself as a deep threat, McKay averaged 30.3 yards per reception with all seven of his scores coming on throws of 15 yards or more. He would have led the nation in yards per catch but fell short of the NCAA minimum for receptions per game (2.0).
"I come into a game with a mentality to compete," McKay said. "I just try to be at my best when my best is needed. I want to come out being really focused and comfortable."
And his ability to make the big catch gives his new signal caller the comfort and trust to continue throwing his way.
"He's a big player, an impact player for us and the wide receiver corps," Kiel said. "All I have to do is drop back and just believe in him to go get a ball and try to give him an opportunity to jump up and make a huge catch like he always does.
"He has all the tools and mechanics to play at the next level," Kiel said. "It's going to be interesting to see what he does the rest of the year. He is something special."