Blocking a field goal or extra point attempt is not easy.
William & Mary defensive tackle Bill Murray just makes it appear that way.
Murray, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound junior from New Jersey, has blocked a team-high three kicks (two extra points and a field goal) this season. Last year, he blocked two extra points, and in his freshman year, he blocked another point after.
That’s six blocks in three years.
“I think anyone can do it, just go try to get in that gap and put your hands up,” said Murray, who gives much of the credit to teammates.
He said last year’s success was because of former teammate Isaiah Stephens, and this year he points to Graydon Campbell.
“They blow up the guy that I have to squeeze through so they basically make the gap … just as big as can be,” he said. “So every time I don’t block a kick, I feel awful because they’re putting me in the best position for success. … I feel like I’m letting them down.”
But he does more than just block kicks.
Murray leads the team in sacks this year with 3½ after being first on the team in that category last year with 6½.
With a career-high nine tackles in Saturday’s 21-10 loss at Rhode Island, he has 41 (fifth on the team). His 61/2 tackles for loss are tops on the team.
“He’s big, has good size and quickness,” said W&M coach Jimmye Laycock, whose team is off this week. “He’s got a big heart, too. He plays hard.”
The Tribe (3-5, 2-3 CAA) returns to action Nov. 10 at Villanova, then closes out the season Nov. 17 at home against Richmond.
At the beginning of the year, Murray said, “My goal is always a little higher so I want to step up from last year, take those steps and keep improving.”
He’s doing just that, but don’t expect him to take any credit even when he’s being credited on the stat sheet.
“(My teammates) do a phenomenal job of getting me in the right position,” he said.
