Smith Named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week
9/23/2024 1:00:00 PM | Football
After matching a school record and helping the Flames to a late-night victory, Liberty's Reese Smith has been named to the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week.
Smith's career night helped energize the Flames following a near five-hour weather delay. Liberty rallied from a 17-0 deficit to pull off a 35-24 win over East Carolina in a game that ended at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The wide receiver led the Flames with three receiving touchdowns, matching the program's single-game record. With his performance, Smith became the 13th player in program history with three receiving touchdowns.
His second and third receiving touchdowns both helped Liberty regain the lead, including a 15-yard touchdown reception at 8:10 of the fourth quarter to put the Flames ahead for good.
Smith is in his second season with the Flames after transferring from West Virginia, but his first on the field. He missed the entire 2023 season due to an injury. During his 33 career games at West Virginia from 2020-22, Smith tallied a combined two touchdowns.
The native of Danville, Ky., is now tied for the lead in Conference USA in receiving touchdowns and ranks No. 30 nationally in the statistical category.
Smith is the third Liberty player to be honored by Conference USA this season. Following another late-night victory over New Mexico State in Las Cruses, N.M., defensive end CJ Bazile, Jr., was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Colin Karhu was selected the league's Special Teams Player of the Week.
Smith's career night helped energize the Flames following a near five-hour weather delay. Liberty rallied from a 17-0 deficit to pull off a 35-24 win over East Carolina in a game that ended at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The wide receiver led the Flames with three receiving touchdowns, matching the program's single-game record. With his performance, Smith became the 13th player in program history with three receiving touchdowns.
His second and third receiving touchdowns both helped Liberty regain the lead, including a 15-yard touchdown reception at 8:10 of the fourth quarter to put the Flames ahead for good.
Smith is in his second season with the Flames after transferring from West Virginia, but his first on the field. He missed the entire 2023 season due to an injury. During his 33 career games at West Virginia from 2020-22, Smith tallied a combined two touchdowns.
The native of Danville, Ky., is now tied for the lead in Conference USA in receiving touchdowns and ranks No. 30 nationally in the statistical category.
Smith is the third Liberty player to be honored by Conference USA this season. Following another late-night victory over New Mexico State in Las Cruses, N.M., defensive end CJ Bazile, Jr., was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Colin Karhu was selected the league's Special Teams Player of the Week.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 07
Thursday, April 30
Friday, April 24