Tulsa's Clay is Running Toward History

The versatile Golden Hurricane senior is just four scores away from tying Tulsa's all-time career touchdowns mark.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:58 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 7, 2010 7:10 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Charles Clay knows how to make his way to the endzone. The versatile senior has busted through the defense to score 35 times in his career. He’s inching closer to the all-time record at the University of Tulsa.

“This has been his best year,” said Tulsa head coach Todd Graham. “What a phenomenal player. He’ll be a four year starter. He does a lot of different things.”

Tarrion Adams (2005-08) owns the career touchdown mark with 39 scores. Clay is hot on his heels and gets a great deal of confidence from seeing his name so often in the playbook.

“The coaches put a lot of faith in me,” said Clay, who has streaked to his 35 scores in just 45 career games. “They trust me.”

His ability to play any skill position on the offensive side of the ball makes him the ultimate weapon. This season, Clay is tied for the team lead in receptions (19), rushed 11 times and scored four. He’s a defensive coordinator’s nightmare.

“I don’t know what (position) he plays,” chuckled Graham. “He’s a wide receiver. He’s a running back. He’s a tight end, and Charles plays on almost all of our special teams and does a great job.

“I don’t know what he is.”

Opposing defenses do – a tough cover. Clay has a pair of 19+ yard scores already this season, including a 42-yard touchdown catch from G.J. Kinne in the team’s home opener.

“That just tells you something about him,” said his quarterback. “They’re keying on him and he’s still scoring 35 touchdowns. That’s pretty remarkable.”

Despite his on-field achievements, Graham raves about Clay’s locker room reputation.

“The thing that he brings that’s most valuable is not his physical attributes,” smiled the coach. “It’s his leadership and the relationships he has on this team.”

Clay is humble and deflects praise regularly. He calls the potential record-setting career a team effort and is quick to praise his teammates for his successes.

History’s doorstep isn’t far away. Clay has a shot to close the gap between Adams and himself against SMU this Saturday in Dallas.