Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor
By Tyler Alley
Sports Editor
Senior Kendall Wright broke yet another Baylor football record Friday against TCU, grabbing his 11th 100-yard receiving game of his career.
“It feels good,” Wright said. “I work hard every day just to get to where I am.”
The two-time All Big 12 honoree came into this season already owning or sharing five school receiving records. He owns the school record for career receptions, 194 going into this season, and receptions in a single season with 78 in 2010. He ranks third in career yards with 2,341 and fourth in TD receptions with 16.
He also appears on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award for the best receiver in the nation and for the All-America team.
“He’s the best receiver nobody knows about,” junior quarterback Robert Griffin III said. “He’s got everything you want: big-play ability; he catches tough passes; he takes hits; he blocks. He’s a good leader. He deserves to be up there with Ryan Broyles and Justin Blackmon in the top part of league when it comes to receivers.”
Wright finished the TCU game with 12 receptions, 189 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. The 12 receptions tied his own school record for one game and made him the first Baylor receiver with 200 receptions. He also set a new career high with the 189 receiving yards.
“The reason Kendall was so productive the other night is because of how he prepared,” head coach Art Briles said. “When you prepare well, you perform well. That’s what really set him apart the other night. His preparation the last seven months has been unparalleled with what he’s done prior to that. He had a fast start and he’ll have a fast finish.”
Wright also threw two passes, one for a touchdown to junior Terrance Williams, and the other an important first down late in the game to Griffin.
Wright now has 2,530 career receiving yards, needing 122 more to become the school’s all-time receiving leader.
“I guess it feels good,” Wright said. “Me, personally, I don’t care about the records. I never know I broke a record until [the media] asks me after the game. I guess it’s a great accomplishment. I’m not here for the records; I’m here for the wins.”
Wright came to Baylor from Pittsburg High School as a three-sport standout. The difference from the Kendall Wright who came to Baylor and the player now, according to him, is vast.
“I’ve changed a lot,” Wright said. “Coach [Briles] asked me to do a lot of things at first that I didn’t want to do, but it’s all panned out and I think he’s wanted me to do it for a reason. I think it’s good, and I’ve changed a lot.”
Wright leads the team with 31 career starts and has caught a pass in 38 straight games, the fourth-longest streak nationally.
