Bru McCoy’s Game-Changing Block: The Play That Sealed Tennessee’s Victory
Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles values the often-overlooked aspects of football. A key block from a teammate helped him secure the 30-13 victory over Austin Peay last Saturday.
Castles, a graduate transfer from UC-Davis, caught a 43-yard touchdown with just over 8 minutes remaining, sealing the game’s final score. He caught a short pass, made a quick move to avoid a defender, and surged toward the end zone with a clear path ahead.
The reason for much of that space? Wide receiver Bru McCoy. He executed a textbook block, mirroring John Campbell’s famous play against Virginia, keeping the last Austin Peay defender off Castles all the way down the field.
Castles was quick to acknowledge McCoy’s impact. “Made one guy miss, then I saw Bru putting a guy in the end zone,” Castles said. “I think that’s more impressive than the touchdown itself. The fact that he drove the guy 40 yards into the end zone. It’s a great block. That’s why he’s probably going to be playing on Sundays—because he plays hard and gives effort for everybody, even on plays where he’s not getting the ball.”
Although McCoy has had a quiet start to the season in terms of statistics, with 2 catches for 21 yards against Virginia and 5 catches for 51 yards against Austin Peay, his effort and physicality have made a significant impact on the field. His commitment to the team’s success has clearly resonated with his teammates, leaving a lasting impression even when the numbers don’t tell the full story.
