Football Writers of America Tab Justin Smith All-America
11/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 21, 2000
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri junior defensive end JUSTIN SMITH was named to the Football Writers Association of America All-America team on Monday evening. Smith, who is one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, became Missouri's career quarterback sacks leader (22.5) and set a single-season record for sacks with 11.
Smith, a native of Holts Summit, Mo., is Missouri's team-leader in tackles (97), tackles for loss (24 for 128 yards) and quarterback sacks (11). He has started every game (33) since coming to Missouri. Smith is Missouri 12th all-time leading tackler with 227. He has 53 tackles for 155 yards lost in his career. He has forced five fumbles and recovered three.
Smith's top performances occurred against Missouri's toughest opponents. He racked up 13 tackles, two for loss, against Clemson. He had 10 tackles, three for 20 yards lost and sacked quarterback Eric Crouch twice against then No. 1 Nebraska. Smith went head-to-head with All-America offensive tackle Leonard Davis of Texas and tallied 12 tackles and sacked quarterback Major Applewhite twice. He had 11 tackles, two for loss and a sack of quarterback Jonathan Beasley against Kansas State in the Tigers' finale.
Smith's biggest game of the year came against Baylor when he tied a Missouri single-game record with four quarterback sacks. In all, he recorded 12 tackles, seven of those for 33 yards lost. Smith was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following that contest.
Smith is Missouri's third All-America selection in the last three years. In 1998, running back DEVIN WEST was named a first team All-American by Football News and The Sporting News. He was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press. In 1999, center ROB RITI was a first team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Foundation, the American Football Coaches Association and BCS Online (ABC Sports).
