UB notebook
Smith sparks defense by getting ‘in the picture’
Defensive tackle Richie Smith came on strong in a backup role for the University at Buffalo at the end of his freshman season. He recovered a fumble in the fourth overtime at Akron, setting up the Bulls for victory. He produced six tackles, one of them for a loss, in the double-overtime victory over Bowling Green that clinched the Mid- American Conference East crown.
Smith figures to become a more prominent contributor in 2009. And his 2z-sack performance in Saturday’s Blue-White Spring Game at UB Stadium suggests he’s ahead of schedule.
“He’s one of our top defensive linemen coming back, no question about it,” coach Turner Gill said. “We anticipate him to be one of our top guys and making those kind of plays on the run and also as a pass rusher. He has that ability. Richie has come a long way and we feel good about him.
“He’s a guy that’s [had] a few injuries here and there, but man, I love what he’s all about. He’s a former wrestler, so he knows all about leverage. Great strength, great body and he runs well and can get off blocks. And when a guy can get off blocks that defines defense, because that’s what you got to do.”
The 6-foot-2, 298-pound Smith fell out of favor with some major Division I programs when he broke a leg early in his senior season at Pen Argyl (Pa.) High.
“I felt that no one felt I would be able to play like I used to,” Smith said.
The Bulls maintained their interest and Smith’s rewarding their faith. He totaled four tackles and nearly intercepted a pass while in lateral pursuit.
“I want people to think of me as that type of player where I’m always going, always on the go,” Smith said. “I’m always going to be in the picture at the end of every play.”
•••
The Spring Game was again a non-tackling affair, with ballcarriers down by touch.
“I really feel at this point in time in our season the depth that we have is not very strong. And we’ve probably lost three or four guys here as far as any practice, and so therefore I really don’t want to make sure we don’t lose anybody else. . . . It’s all about trying to win in the fall, Gill said.”
That’s not to say the game was without contact.
Ray Anthony Long, making the transition from linebacker to safety, dropped Brandon Thermilus on a run up the middle. And, of course, life in the trenches remains much the same.
“Coming up on the quarterback and seeing a nice opportunity and laying off, that’s tough,” Smith said. “But offensive line and defensive line, everybody’s live.”
•••
Wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt talked of another conference championship and a bowl game, but he stopped short of pulling a Drew Willy and guaranteeing a bowl, as quarterback Willy did last spring.
“I’m not going to say what Drew did, but we just want to do what we did last year and do even better,” Roosevelt said.
•••
Other stats:
Jerry Davis was 5 of 13 passing for 30 yards, Cory Jorgensen 5 of 8 for 30 yards. Running back Mario Henry carried six times for 16 yards. Wide receiver Brett Hamlin and tight end Michael Marr each had four catches for 24 yards.
On the defensive side, linebacker Scott Pettigrew produced 10 tackles, and defensive back Sherrod Lott had five.
•••
Among those missing the game were starting safeties Davonte Shannon and Mike Newton, and defensive tackle Anel Montanez. In addition to running back James Starks, the offensive absentees included linemen Peter Bittner and Robert Colpoys, and tight end Kyle Brey.
The Bulls are still waiting to determine the extent of a knee injury suffered by Colpoys (Niagara-Wheatfield), a candidate to start.
•••
Alums on the sidelines included Oakland Raiders defensive end Trevor Scott, and Willy, who should learn his NFL destination next weekend. . . . The Bulls will practice one more time, in shorts on Tuesday, before breaking until training camp.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments