Standout wide receiver credits familiarity, hard work with success
At the beginning of the 2007 season, CU football fans may not have been used to hearing Scotty McKnight’s name called over the loud speaker at games, but over the past few weeks McKnight has become a mainstay and a fan favorite for the Buffaloes.
McKnight, a freshman business major, is leading the Buffaloes in catches with 24, and in total yards with 295. McKnight also has two receiving touchdowns on the season thus far.
Despite leading the team in nearly every statistical receiving category, McKnight remains humble and describes his success as the product of hard work and a good relationship with his quarterback.
“Me and Cody both have good work ethic together and we have good chemistry and I think that comes into effect,” McKnight said. “You know, really I’m just focusing on being in the right place at the right time. I just want to try and keep doing that and keep having success for the team so we can keep this offense rolling.”
McKnight and quarterback Cody Hawkins have been practicing together at football camps and scout camps since McKnight’s sophomore year of high school.
Head Coach Dan Hawkins believes that the two players’ past experience with one another is only a small part of why they have been so successful together this season.
“I think that’s a little overblown,” Dan Hawkins said. “I think the biggest thing is that they both love football, they both work hard at it, and they both have an understanding of it, and that’s the biggest thing that helps both of them.”
According to passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Eric Kiesau, McKnight has several skills that make him effective on the football field.
“His greatest asset is probably just his hands, and that he’s just football smart. He understands the game,” Kiesau said. “He’s not necessarily the fastest guy but he understands windows and where to be open and how to get open. I think that’s what he’s using to his advantage to be able to make so many plays.”
McKnight is a perfect example of how having a good work ethic and being a team player can generate success for both a player and the team as a whole.
“If you read the defense and do what you’re supposed to do you’re going to find a hole, so that’s what I pride myself on doing,” McKnight said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brad Cochi at brad.cochi@thecampuspress.com.
