LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Southwestern University senior Dante Smith was named Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.
Smith helped the Pirates to a thrilling 42-38 victory against Texas Lutheran on Saturday.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound wide receiver accounted for two touchdowns. He threw a 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter on a double pass. The Beaumont native also clinched the win in the third quarter with a 39-yard onside kickoff return for a score.
Smith, a converted quarterback, threw his 11th touchdown pass of his career, including his second on the double-pass play. Bryan Hicks threw the ball to Smith behind the line of scrimmage, who then heaved it near the end zone where it was plucked out of the air by Kenneth Wynn Jr. for the score.
Following the Bulldogs' third-quarter score that cut Southwestern's lead to 35-31, Smith was on the front line of the kickoff return team and saw a surprise onside kick attempt heading his way. He snagged the ball out of the air and raced 39 yards to the end zone, giving the Pirates a 42-31 advantage.
The Pirates (4-3, 3-0 SCAC) travel to Sherman on Saturday to face Austin College in another conference tilt. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
– SOUTHWESTERN –
WATCH: Dante Smith discusses Southwestern's 42-38 win over Texas Lutheran#HereWeGoBucs pic.twitter.com/XdyxSPEVwx
— Southwestern FB (@SUPiratesFB) October 23, 2016
WATCH: Dante Smith takes onside kick back for 39-yard touchdown in third quarter. #HereWeGoBucs #d3fb pic.twitter.com/cO1UFybTzr
— Southwestern FB (@SUPiratesFB) October 23, 2016