Quan Bray's career day leads Auburn in rout of La. Tech

AUBURN – Written on the tape wrapped around both of his wrists, Quan Bray writes "R.I.P. MA."

It's been over three years since Tonya Bray was murdered, shot and killed by Jeffrey Jones, Quan's father, on July 3, 2011 in their native LaGrange, Georgia when Quan was just 19 years old.

"I wish she could be here but God do everything for a reason, good or bad, but I take that and let it be a strength for me," Bray said. "I know she's watching, first-row seat, and I know she'd love to be here."

What Tonya Bray, who always attended her son's games, would've seen on Saturday afternoon was the best performance from her boy in his four seasons donning an Auburn uniform.

Quan Bray had three catches for a career-high 91 yards and two touchdowns – his first multi-touchdown receiving game – and added a career-long 76-yard punt return touchdown to blow the game open as No. 5 Auburn routed Louisiana Tech, 45-17, before a sellout crowd of 87,451 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"We ask our seniors to play the best they've ever played before and he has really has been raising his level," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "A game like this, he really made some impact plays to help us win. …. Very happy for him and he's definitely raised his level."

Bray scored two touchdowns in a span of 63 seconds early in the fourth quarter to help the Tigers seize total control and effectively end the game.

On third-and-six from the Louisiana Tech 44-yard line, Nick Marshall checked into a play, giving Sammie Coates, the lone receiver to the right side, a go route.

"They bailed out of cover three so I just went through all my reads," said Marshall, who was 10-for-17 for 166 yards and a career-best three passing touchdowns with 105 rushing yards. "There wasn't nothing open."

Marshall scrambled left, eluded two defenders, and reversed course back to the right side and fired on the run from Auburn's 43-yard line for Bray, who got from the far left of the formation to near the right hash marks but inside the end zone.

"My eyes lit up," Bray said. "For some reason I felt like I knew Nick was going to scramble in the first place. Once I seen him scrambling – he was going in circles – I threw my hand up and he saw me downfield and I just go up and try to highpoint the ball and make a play."

After the ball completed its parabolic path, the 5-foot-10 195 pound Bray caught the ball over 5-foot-11 192 pound Louisiana Tech defensive back Xavier Woods for his second touchdown catch of the game to give Auburn a 31-10 with 14:24 to play.

"You have timing of your plays and then when things break down you have scramble rules," Malzahn said. "Our guys were just trying to get open. Nick ad-libbed right there, threw the ball up, Quan high-pointed the ball in traffic."

After the Auburn defense held the Bulldogs to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Bray broke free for a 76-yard punt return touchdown; his second of the season, to blow the game open 38-10 with 13:21 to go.

"I see a couple of guys blocking their man off to the sideline and I can't do nothing but be grateful for that," said Bray, who is averaging 36.8 yards per punt return, which could end up leading the country by Sunday morning. "To know that I got teammates that'll give their all for me back there hoping that I make a play."

Bray's performance, particularly the two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, helped mitigate what was a sluggish outing for the Auburn offense before that.

The Tigers failed to convert their first five third downs, the second straight game Auburn, which leads the nation in third-down percentage, failed to move the chains early on.

"We are one of the best in the country (converting third downs) until this game. We didn't do a very good job," Malzahn said. "I really felt like in the first half that was really negative. It got a little bit better, but obviously it needs to be a point of emphasis."

Cameron Artis-Payne (22 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown) helped Auburn get back on track with several conversions on third-and-short, as the Tigers finished 5-for-18 on third downs.

Auburn's defense came through with some timely plays, as Montravius Adams had his first career interception, which setup Artis-Payne five-yard score, and recovered a fumble.

But the day belonged to Bray, whose 110 receiving yards this season has already topped his production as a freshman (93) and sophomore (94) and is not far off from his junior season (195).

He's been "patiently waiting" to have the success that's finally happened in his final collegiate season and he's grateful.

"Before I go to sleep I thank the man above and I wish she could be here," Bray said of his mother. "(As I write the message for my mother on my wrists I) blow a kiss to her and I'm on about my business."