Being Right Where He Needs to Be
9/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Editorial Note: This article ran in the Flames Illustrated football game day program on Aug. 30 (North Greenville game). Since the opening of the season, Smith has completed 68.5 percent of his pass attempts (37-of-54) for 521 yards and five touchdowns. He currently ranks No. 6 nationally in passing efficiency (172.71) and has helped Liberty to its 3-0 start since 1997.
Isaiah 40:30-31 states, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Feeling mentally weary after a tough 1-10 season in 2005, freshman quarterback Brock Smith refused to lose hope, realizing there was something greater in store for Liberty football. As newly hired head coach Danny Rocco stepped into the Flames locker room to meet with his team for the first time, he looked at the young men he inherited and said, "You guys can relax, I'm not going to beat you to death."
"From that statement on, I was just like – ‘I like this guy,'" Smith recalled. "Just having a guy you want to win for, changes everything."
Change certainly took place within the Flames football program, bouncing back the following year with a 6-5 record, which tied for the best turnaround that season in the nation.
In 2007, Liberty went from "good to great," garnering an 8-3 record en route to the program's first ever Big South title. The team's recent achievements, combined with enormous facility upgrades and a throng of fans support gives Smith and the rest of the Flames an optimistic demeanor heading into the 2008 campaign. Now entering his senior season at Liberty, Liberty's field general is poised and ready to take care of "unfinished business" and lead his team into the postseason.
"Winning the Big South Championship last year just puts a target on our back to come out and do it again," Smith stated. "One of our biggest goals this year is not only to win the Big South Championship, but to get in the playoffs and win in the playoffs. I don't necessarily feel any pressure just because we're all having fun."
Toward the end of his high school career, Smith weighed the options of playing football or baseball at the collegiate level. Shortly after being invited to check out Liberty's campus, the Pennsylvania native made the trip to Lynchburg, Va., instantly falling in love with the university's Christian atmosphere.
By his sophomore year, Smith assumed the role of starting quarterback, learning under the tutelage of quarterback coach Brandon Streeter. Immediately, the former Clemson starter and current passing game coordinator began instilling patience in his young pupil, as Smith threw for 1,376 yards in 2006. Looking to improve on his second-year efforts, Smith eclipsed his prior passing yardage during his junior campaign, leading the Big South with 2,226 yards and 19 touchdowns.
In his final offseason with the Flames, the passer subjected himself to strenuous workouts and continuous drilling. Along with physical training, he also attended film sessions where he studied various defensive formations and blitzes.
Smith's cast of wide receivers will look somewhat different this season with the loss of wide outs
Brandon Turner and Wynton Jackson. Chemistry does not concern the quarterback, as he worked with fellow senior Dominic Bolden in and out of practice the entire summer. Smith is also impressed with the other members of the receiving core, noting the "unbelievable numbers" each one is putting up in the weight room.
The faces of those protecting Smith up front changed as well, with only two starting offensive linemen returning in 2008. Much like the receivers, the second-year captain is fully confident in those filling in the gaps this season.
"One thing people say about (the offensive line) is that we lost a lot of size, but I would say the size of these guys' hearts is unmatchable," Smith stated. "These guys are so much fun. They are singing on the field. They are always encouraging each other. They are brothers."
While some of last season's role players graduated in May, one returner Smith is ecstatic to see in the back field is 2007 Big South Offensive Player of the Year Rashad Jennings. The senior rusher enters the season No. 1 on Sport Network's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) preseason running backs list and his quarterback, who is ranked No. 14 himself on the organization's passer list, could not be any happier to have Jennings in the back field.
"He's like my best friend back there," Smith said. "I always know I can check down to him and I always know he's going to have a hand to catch the ball. He takes a lot of pressure off my back."
Apart from working with teammates and winning football games, Smith is constantly reminded of a much greater responsibility – sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those around him. Similar to a prospective player who is constantly studied by scouts, he senses the eyes of those watching his every move, wondering if his faith is legit. The stares he receives are not from determined defensive tackles, but those observing him in restaurants and other public venues.
Before each game, Smith relaxes by reading the Bible, allowing him to keep his cool during the contest. As four quarters come to an end, he steps off the gridiron and back into the outside world where he is viewed as more than just a starting quarterback.
"Just having Christ in your life keeps you accountable in everything that you do on and off the field," Smith noted. "If I didn't have Christ in my life, what would I do? I'd probably be cursing and swearing on the sidelines, trying to get everybody going and that's just not a good testimony to these guys."
Coming to Liberty solely on faith, Smith enrolled as a kinesiology major his freshman year, realizing he possessed a greater enthusiasm for engineering. Thanks to Liberty's recently established school of engineering, his passion came to fruition as he declared a double major. After his football career is over, he hopes to pursue a second vocation as an engineer.
Like many collegiate quarterbacks, Smith's ultimate dream is to connect with wide receivers in the NFL. With one more season left to make an impact at the college level, Liberty's left-handed passer is aiming high.
"It has always been a dream," Smith said. "You can always dream, but in my senior year it has really become a possible reality. If the Lord wants to bless me with that, He will see to it that it's His will."
When he is not gripping the pigskin, Liberty's offensive leader dusts off the nine-iron for a friendly round of golf. Although his handicap is unknown, Smith claims he can hold his on the greens and invites other golf enthusiasts to join him for 18 holes.
Smith also enjoys spending time with his puppy, Koda, who he calls a "ball of energy." The quarterback purchased the pet following a loss to Elon last season. Shortly after the acquisition, the Flames stormed back, winning six of their last seven games, making this hyperactive pup a team motivator in the eyes of Smith's peers.
Once the football season is over, another important day awaits the quarterback, as he is set to marry his fiancée, Lauren, in March 2009. In the meantime, he and his bride to be spend time with one another when he is not on the field, often catching a movie together.
As his schedule begins to pile up with demanding practices and intense competitions, Smith embraces his leadership role with renewed strength and determination. He does not allow himself to fall into the pit of weariness. Instead he falls into the arms of his Heavenly Father, the source of his strength. Whenever Smith feels faint, he trusts the Lord to lift him up above all adversity.
"Satan can tempt you all he wants, but if you have the Lord on your side, Satan can't do anything," Smith proclaimed boldly. "He is standing right there with me – every play call, every situation. If I get hurt, He is right there with me to help pick me up off the ground."
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Eric Brown is a copywriter for the Liberty University's Office of Promotional Publications, assigned to cover athletics.
Isaiah 40:30-31 states, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Feeling mentally weary after a tough 1-10 season in 2005, freshman quarterback Brock Smith refused to lose hope, realizing there was something greater in store for Liberty football. As newly hired head coach Danny Rocco stepped into the Flames locker room to meet with his team for the first time, he looked at the young men he inherited and said, "You guys can relax, I'm not going to beat you to death."
"From that statement on, I was just like – ‘I like this guy,'" Smith recalled. "Just having a guy you want to win for, changes everything."
Change certainly took place within the Flames football program, bouncing back the following year with a 6-5 record, which tied for the best turnaround that season in the nation.
In 2007, Liberty went from "good to great," garnering an 8-3 record en route to the program's first ever Big South title. The team's recent achievements, combined with enormous facility upgrades and a throng of fans support gives Smith and the rest of the Flames an optimistic demeanor heading into the 2008 campaign. Now entering his senior season at Liberty, Liberty's field general is poised and ready to take care of "unfinished business" and lead his team into the postseason.
"Winning the Big South Championship last year just puts a target on our back to come out and do it again," Smith stated. "One of our biggest goals this year is not only to win the Big South Championship, but to get in the playoffs and win in the playoffs. I don't necessarily feel any pressure just because we're all having fun."
Toward the end of his high school career, Smith weighed the options of playing football or baseball at the collegiate level. Shortly after being invited to check out Liberty's campus, the Pennsylvania native made the trip to Lynchburg, Va., instantly falling in love with the university's Christian atmosphere.
By his sophomore year, Smith assumed the role of starting quarterback, learning under the tutelage of quarterback coach Brandon Streeter. Immediately, the former Clemson starter and current passing game coordinator began instilling patience in his young pupil, as Smith threw for 1,376 yards in 2006. Looking to improve on his second-year efforts, Smith eclipsed his prior passing yardage during his junior campaign, leading the Big South with 2,226 yards and 19 touchdowns.
In his final offseason with the Flames, the passer subjected himself to strenuous workouts and continuous drilling. Along with physical training, he also attended film sessions where he studied various defensive formations and blitzes.
Smith's cast of wide receivers will look somewhat different this season with the loss of wide outs
Brandon Turner and Wynton Jackson. Chemistry does not concern the quarterback, as he worked with fellow senior Dominic Bolden in and out of practice the entire summer. Smith is also impressed with the other members of the receiving core, noting the "unbelievable numbers" each one is putting up in the weight room.
The faces of those protecting Smith up front changed as well, with only two starting offensive linemen returning in 2008. Much like the receivers, the second-year captain is fully confident in those filling in the gaps this season.
"One thing people say about (the offensive line) is that we lost a lot of size, but I would say the size of these guys' hearts is unmatchable," Smith stated. "These guys are so much fun. They are singing on the field. They are always encouraging each other. They are brothers."
While some of last season's role players graduated in May, one returner Smith is ecstatic to see in the back field is 2007 Big South Offensive Player of the Year Rashad Jennings. The senior rusher enters the season No. 1 on Sport Network's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) preseason running backs list and his quarterback, who is ranked No. 14 himself on the organization's passer list, could not be any happier to have Jennings in the back field.
"He's like my best friend back there," Smith said. "I always know I can check down to him and I always know he's going to have a hand to catch the ball. He takes a lot of pressure off my back."
Apart from working with teammates and winning football games, Smith is constantly reminded of a much greater responsibility – sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those around him. Similar to a prospective player who is constantly studied by scouts, he senses the eyes of those watching his every move, wondering if his faith is legit. The stares he receives are not from determined defensive tackles, but those observing him in restaurants and other public venues.
Before each game, Smith relaxes by reading the Bible, allowing him to keep his cool during the contest. As four quarters come to an end, he steps off the gridiron and back into the outside world where he is viewed as more than just a starting quarterback.
"Just having Christ in your life keeps you accountable in everything that you do on and off the field," Smith noted. "If I didn't have Christ in my life, what would I do? I'd probably be cursing and swearing on the sidelines, trying to get everybody going and that's just not a good testimony to these guys."
Coming to Liberty solely on faith, Smith enrolled as a kinesiology major his freshman year, realizing he possessed a greater enthusiasm for engineering. Thanks to Liberty's recently established school of engineering, his passion came to fruition as he declared a double major. After his football career is over, he hopes to pursue a second vocation as an engineer.
Like many collegiate quarterbacks, Smith's ultimate dream is to connect with wide receivers in the NFL. With one more season left to make an impact at the college level, Liberty's left-handed passer is aiming high.
"It has always been a dream," Smith said. "You can always dream, but in my senior year it has really become a possible reality. If the Lord wants to bless me with that, He will see to it that it's His will."
When he is not gripping the pigskin, Liberty's offensive leader dusts off the nine-iron for a friendly round of golf. Although his handicap is unknown, Smith claims he can hold his on the greens and invites other golf enthusiasts to join him for 18 holes.
Smith also enjoys spending time with his puppy, Koda, who he calls a "ball of energy." The quarterback purchased the pet following a loss to Elon last season. Shortly after the acquisition, the Flames stormed back, winning six of their last seven games, making this hyperactive pup a team motivator in the eyes of Smith's peers.
Once the football season is over, another important day awaits the quarterback, as he is set to marry his fiancée, Lauren, in March 2009. In the meantime, he and his bride to be spend time with one another when he is not on the field, often catching a movie together.
As his schedule begins to pile up with demanding practices and intense competitions, Smith embraces his leadership role with renewed strength and determination. He does not allow himself to fall into the pit of weariness. Instead he falls into the arms of his Heavenly Father, the source of his strength. Whenever Smith feels faint, he trusts the Lord to lift him up above all adversity.
"Satan can tempt you all he wants, but if you have the Lord on your side, Satan can't do anything," Smith proclaimed boldly. "He is standing right there with me – every play call, every situation. If I get hurt, He is right there with me to help pick me up off the ground."
------
Eric Brown is a copywriter for the Liberty University's Office of Promotional Publications, assigned to cover athletics.
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