UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 26, 2026

Demetrice McCray

Press Conference

Pitt 59, Bucknell 0

Q. Tell us about the nickname.

DEMETRICE McCRAY: My nickname, "Meat Shop," I really got it from when I was in high school, I would say my junior year of high school. I already had the name "Meat." So they used to call me "Meat" and "Meathead," and then my coach, he was just like, this guy is unstoppable, like he's really like a 24-7 meat shop, like he's always open. So that's where I get "Meat Shop" from.

Q. Tell me about the fade that Mason threw you to get your first touchdown.

DEMETRICE McCRAY: We work on them all the time. Like I said before, 50/50 ball is always going to be mine.

We worked on them this whole week of practice. So when I got that moment, I just knew I was going to capitalize it.

Q. Afterwards you have a different touchdown celebration in mind?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: Yes, sir. I ain't even really know that it was that slippery. I thought it was another like a turf, but it was harder than the regular turf grass.

Q. How does it feel to be with that team and to celebrate and have those guys around you during those big moments?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: It feels good. It feels like everything I thought it would feel like coming into college. Like I already knew it was going to be great, and then when I seen it was a lot of older guys that was happy for the younger guys whenever they get their chances, that was just something -- they've been pouring into me even in practice when I wasn't getting the looks, they've been pouring into me. So just being around all the guys and how they pour into the younger freshmen is really good.

Q. What does this game do for your confidence and also for the offense to kind of get going as you guys head on the road Friday?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: What this game do for me, it really just helps me understand that I can do this. It lets me know that we got Virginia Tech coming up, but they ain't gonna be ready for us.

Q. In addition to you, what are your thoughts on all the receivers? Although your points came on touchdown passes.

DEMETRICE McCRAY: We have a great receiver core. Yeah.

Q. You were catching passes from Mason today. Have you gotten the chance to work with him much through camp and earlier this season?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: Yes, sir. Like I said, like we stay after practice. We get in work -- all the receivers get in work with Mason after practice. So we're really all just in tune and locked in. Like we're all on the same level as Mason.

Q. I think Mason saw you last week.

DEMETRICE McCRAY: You did.

Q. What conversations did you have and what kind of extra work did you put in with him to make sure you can go out and do what you did today?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: Just showing up, just showing up to practice. Taking it day by day. Like I said, we stay after. We get extra work. We do the extra work. So that's all that really matters to me is the extra work so I know that the next time it'll be we're going to get it right.

Q. Who have some of the receivers you model your game after?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: I would say Mumpfield. I love that guy. I watch him. That's another receiver that I've watched that came through Pitt that I really mentor my game after because that guy, he can block. He's really great at blocking, and I think that's something that I'm really great at. When I don't got the ball in my hands, that's what I'm going to do, I'm going to try to block you, I'm going to try to pancake you.

Q. Did you ever get a chance to talk to Konata at all?

DEMETRICE McCRAY: Never. That's a dream.