Gray Named CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week

LYNCHBURG, Va. Following a stellar performance last Tuesday night against New Mexico State, Liberty's Julian Gray has been named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.

Gray gave the Flames their first touchdown of the game and sparked a 20-point first half scoring explosion for Liberty with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

His 96-yard kickoff return touchdown is tied for the sixth-longest kickoff return for a touchdown in program history. It is also Liberty's first kickoff returned for a touchdown since Shedro Louis' 97-yarder against Virginia Tech, Nov. 19, 2022.

The 96-yard return is the longest of Gray's career, surpassing an 82-yard return for a touchdown at NC State (against VMI in 2023). The return was his second career kickoff return for a touchdown.

The native of Huntersville, N.C., finished the game with 197 total all-purpose yards (26 rushing, 41 receiving, 130 kick returns). His 197 all-purpose yards are tied for the most in a game under third-year head coach Jamey Chadwell and most since Quinton Cooley's 197 yards against Louisiana Tech, Nov. 4, 2023.

What's Next:
The Flames will kick off a busy month of November to close out the 2025 regular season when Liberty returns the gridiron on Saturday, Nov. 1 to square off against CSUA newcomer Delaware. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. from Williams Stadium.

The game will culminate Liberty's Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend. The Flames have posted a 34-16 overall record during Homecoming Weekend and have won six Homecoming games in a row by an average margin of victory of 15.8 points per game.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Williams Stadium)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: LFSN Radio (Flagship Station: The Journey 88.3 FM Lynchburg)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Schedule

Gray Named CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week

Players Mentioned

Quinton Cooley

Julian Gray