Rod Smith Season 1987

Honors & Award

• First-Team All-Big Eight (1987)
• Second-Team All-Big Eight (1986)
• Honorable Mention Academic All-Big Eight (1987)

1987 (Senior)
Smith emerged as one of Nebraska's top offensive playmakers, leading the team with 21 receptions and three touchdown catches. He also made a major impact on special teams, returning 10 punts for 161 yards and a touchdown. His outstanding season earned him First-Team All-Big Eight honors at wide receiver as he helped lead the Cornhuskers to a 10-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

1986 (Junior)
Smith Led the NCAA and the Big Eight in punt returns with a school record at the time of 18.9 yard average. Rod also ranked second on the team in receptions with 12 for 190 yards. Smith's nation-leading punt return average made him just the third Nebraska player at the time to lead the NCAA in an individual statistical category. Rod scored two touchdowns as a junior, on a 63-yard punt return vs. Oklahoma State and on a 25-yard pass from Steve Taylor vs. Oklahoma.

1985 (Sophomore)
As a sophomore, Smith caught eight passes for 121 yards and added an eight-yard reception against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl. Although he did not record a punt return during the season, he continued to contribute offensively as Nebraska finished with a 9-3 record.

1984 (Redshirt)
Smith redshirted in his second season at Nebraska

1983 (Freshman)
Smith began his Nebraska career as the starting split end for the Huskers' undefeated 5-0 freshman team. During his freshman season, he recorded three receptions for 30 yards while also contributing on special teams, returning seven kickoffs for 149 yards and four punts for 48 yards.

Thornton High School
Smith earned All-State honors despite missing half of his senior season with an injury. As a junior under Coach Harry McCluskey, he led the state in kick return yardage and returned two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in a single game. Smith also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track.

Personal
Son of Donald and Jackie Smith, Rod was born in Mountain View, Calif.