Spring Break
Dick dominates Spring Game through the air
Matt Watson
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Sports
Smith, along with fellow junior-to-be Brandon Barnett, will have the daunting task of replacing two All-Americans who rushed, received, returned and passed for 4,423 yards and accounted for 34 touchdowns last season alone.
"It's not all about what I'm gonna do next year. I think the biggest thing is we're going to come together as a team and we're gonna play as one unit," Smith said.
Smith rushed 13 times for 157 yards (12.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 63 yards. On his longest play from scrimmage he took a screen pass from Casey Dick for 55 yards from sideline to sideline before getting pushed out of bounds at the 5-yard line.
Smith was fourth on the team with 474 all-purpose yards in 2007 and scored three touchdowns in ten games.
As for his former teammates, Smith said he was excited to see them both drafted in the first round.
"I was too happy to see them on the screen [at Reynolds Razorback Stadium]," Smith said. "I'm gonna call them as soon as I get out of here."
Felix Jones, Darren McFadden and Smith were born within four months of each other, with Smith right in the middle of the two superstars. But while Jones played second fiddle to McFadden in the national spotlight at Arkansas, Smith was lucky to ever get a note in. But with the two of them gone, it's Smith's turn in the spotlight.
"I think they just expect me to step up now that they're gone," Smith said, "and that's what I'm gonna try to do."
At 5-foot-7, 173 pounds, the Tallahassee native is trying to prove he can be an every-down back coach Petrino's new offense.
"He made some great plays," Petrino said. "It's great to see his speed show up. He's got to keep getting more attempts and show the explosiveness he can have.
Smith said the team will move the ball up and down the field at a fast pace next year, keeping the defense off balance by running a number of different play from several different formations.
"I've just gotta learn how to use him right," Petrino said. "[We have to] make sure we throw him the ball enough and get him in the open field. But he certainly showed that he can run the football."
While some questioned his durability last year, Smith battled through injuries all spring, including a hip pointer and a sports hernia. Smith will have hernia surgery on Thursday morning.
"'Coach P' emphasizes toughness. Leaders just have to keep going," Smith said. "You've got a couple nicks and bruises but you've gotta keep playing."
"It's not all about what I'm gonna do next year. I think the biggest thing is we're going to come together as a team and we're gonna play as one unit," Smith said.
Smith rushed 13 times for 157 yards (12.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 63 yards. On his longest play from scrimmage he took a screen pass from Casey Dick for 55 yards from sideline to sideline before getting pushed out of bounds at the 5-yard line.
Smith was fourth on the team with 474 all-purpose yards in 2007 and scored three touchdowns in ten games.
As for his former teammates, Smith said he was excited to see them both drafted in the first round.
"I was too happy to see them on the screen [at Reynolds Razorback Stadium]," Smith said. "I'm gonna call them as soon as I get out of here."
Felix Jones, Darren McFadden and Smith were born within four months of each other, with Smith right in the middle of the two superstars. But while Jones played second fiddle to McFadden in the national spotlight at Arkansas, Smith was lucky to ever get a note in. But with the two of them gone, it's Smith's turn in the spotlight.
"I think they just expect me to step up now that they're gone," Smith said, "and that's what I'm gonna try to do."
At 5-foot-7, 173 pounds, the Tallahassee native is trying to prove he can be an every-down back coach Petrino's new offense.
"He made some great plays," Petrino said. "It's great to see his speed show up. He's got to keep getting more attempts and show the explosiveness he can have.
Smith said the team will move the ball up and down the field at a fast pace next year, keeping the defense off balance by running a number of different play from several different formations.
"I've just gotta learn how to use him right," Petrino said. "[We have to] make sure we throw him the ball enough and get him in the open field. But he certainly showed that he can run the football."
While some questioned his durability last year, Smith battled through injuries all spring, including a hip pointer and a sports hernia. Smith will have hernia surgery on Thursday morning.
"'Coach P' emphasizes toughness. Leaders just have to keep going," Smith said. "You've got a couple nicks and bruises but you've gotta keep playing."
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TheWizard
TheWizard
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:07 PM CST
Sao Ming will get a hard-on after reading this. The guy get all boned up for anything Dick related. Extremely sick person there.
Casey will do fine. (Continued…)
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